JK350

Hello Everyone,

I need to change my front brake pads on my 2015 GS350 F Sport. Any brake pad recommendations? Should I do OEM or is there a more cost friendly aftermarket option? I appreciate your input!

jdpdata

I just change my front pads to Akebono ACT1118 Ceramic pads. Really like them. No squeal, low dust, and just as good bite as OEM, at least for the way I drive.
If you're looking to changing rotors too, I recommend StopTech rotors. See my thread below.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ch-rotors.html

JK350

Thank you sir!

IcyBishop

+1 for Akebono ceramics. Use them on all my cars - great bang for the buck and keeps the dust low!

dphu626

Just ordered Akebono since it's highly recommended in this forum. Excited for less brake dust.

jdpdata

We'll technically it's not less dust, at least from my experience. It's just the ceramic produces white dust that's harder to see than semi-metallic black dust. On my darker wheels I can see light layer of dust after couple days of driving. Might not be noticable on chrome or aluminum wheels.

See above. Some say semi-metallic offers better initial bite. But for normal street driving, you won't notice much of a difference between the ceramic vs semi-metallic. Ceramics also last longer and quieter than semi-metallic

JK350

Are the Akebono's better than the OEM ones? The prices seems to be around the same...

dphu626

ok well white dust would be better for my wheels than to be coated in black dust.

jdpdata

If you track, race, tow, or drive aggressively, stick with Semi-Metallic.
If you don't do any of those things and drive normally like 90% of us, Ceramics will work fine.

NickMayer

Ceramic is *not* better if you drive aggressively? I mean, I do not think I am overbearingly aggressive driver, but others (wife) might disagree. Can you elaborate on the difference?

jdpdata

From Google search...

Ceramic pads offer quieter stops, cleaner wheels, and generally longer pad-life due to their harder composition. ... In addition, they typically have a lower coefficient of friction than their semi-metallic counterparts (the higher the coefficient of friction, the better a brake pad will stop your vehicle).


However, I can't recommend ceramic pads for this car (GS 350 F Sport) anymore. Mine are starting to squeal like crazy. May have to return to stock OEM rotors and pads.

dphu626

Maybe it's the rotor/pad combo? I have the akebono pads on stock rotors and no squealing. It's been about 150 miles or so.

NickMayer

Yea, I just read all teh way through your rotor/brake pad thread. Sucks to hear that. I'll stick with stock, probably do the paint job like you did though. *If* I can find a color that matches up

jdpdata

Yeah maybe. F Sport seems to be more picky with pads than base GS 350. You don't have the F Sport right? My Akebono was super quiet until 200 miles, that's when it started to squeal. Maybe it's not wearing evenly. Haven't had time to do some bedding-in high speed runs. That may help.

It's a major PITA with front brakes for this damn car. I hate it.
What color is your car? You have a lot of choices with caliper colors. Just stick with quality paint like VHT, G2, or Rustoleum.

NickMayer

Riviera Red, gark grey wheels. Just not sure what color would look good.