Akebono.. or other Ceramic pads?

[ChrisMT79]

Anyone whos upgraded to akebono or otherwise. What are you using? I had akebono on my bmw and loved them, minimal brake dust. What are you guys using?

[LeadToRome]

Bueller?

[Hydroshock]

I placed an order for front and rear; hopefully, they'll do the trick.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...n+%26+Steering

[NWS4Guy]

I placed an order for front and rear; hopefully, they'll do the trick.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...n+%26+Steering

You going to do it yourself? There is a tool you will want for holding the servomechanical brake machanism on the rears when you pull the calipers if you don't want to have a problem FYI.

[Hydroshock]

Thanks for the Heads Up, I really appreciate it. Fortunately for me, I have a good friend who offered to install them (he's a tech at a local Audi dealership and they're allowed to work on personal cars on Thursday evenings).

[NWS4Guy]

Thanks for the Heads Up, I really appreciate it. Fortunately for me, I have a good friend who offered to install them (he's a tech at a local Audi dealership and they're allowed to work on personal cars on Thursday evenings).

Awesome! I can't wait to see if these fit, I will have to get some if you give them a thumbs up on reduction of brake dust (it's horrible compared to my G35 coupe).

For those wanting to do their own, you need a handy kit like this:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_S4-.../Brake/ES9747/

[Hydroshock]

I promise to list an update once the pads are installed; hopefully by next week. In the meantime, I've found this product along with Dawn detergent to be a BIG help:

http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...eel-brush.aspx

[NWS4Guy]

I promise to list an update once the pads are installed; hopefully by next week. In the meantime, I've found this product along with Dawn detergent to be a BIG help:

http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...eel-brush.aspx

I have a boar's hair bristle brush similar that I use along with P-21 on them. It does well to break things up if you let it sit for 10-20 minutes, then I used the hose one pass, and the power washer after the majority is taken off.

[LeadToRome]

T Fortunately for me, I have a good friend... (he's a tech at a local Audi dealership...).

That is a vrery good friend to have. I'm sure you're not into crass commercialism, but I bet he wouldn't mind a six-pack of really good beer that he can drink after installing the pads.

[Leo]

.............. and the power washer after the majority is taken off.

Be very careful with the power washer. You are essentially sandblasting the coating of the mags and may be doing more harm than good in the long run. You are essentially creating a very porous surface so that the brake dust has an easier time to attach itself to the mag.

I usually use a mild car soap and a wheel mitt. It takes a little elbow grease but gets the job done. Wax it once/twice a year and it should be OK.

[BASARAB]

You can rent that tool for free at Autozone, no need to buy

[NWS4Guy]

Be very careful with the power washer. You are essentially sandblasting the coating of the mags and may be doing more harm than good in the long run. You are essentially creating a very porous surface so that the brake dust has an easier time to attach itself to the mag.

I usually use a mild car soap and a wheel mitt. It takes a little elbow grease but gets the job done. Wax it once/twice a year and it should be OK.

Yep, this is an electric one, 1,700 max PSI, with a dial to adjust force, I use lowest setting, it's pretty mild, just a bit more focused than a hose would be, and uses less water as a result too.

[DUBSPORTN]

im hoping it goes well with the install.
im looking for a low dust alternative to the factory pads, anyone have a list of brands and where to purchase?

[Hydroshock]

Okay, I visited my local Audi dealership and had the Ceramic pads installed today. The installation went quite smoothly; two techs got the job done in approximately 15 minutes.

The brakes felt pretty good on the way home, but of course they still need time to Bed In. I cleaned the wheels while waiting at the dealership, and they were still dust free when I arrived home. Time will tell if they live up to EBC's claims of 60 - 90% less brake dust. I'll continue with updates.


The remaining brake dust in the pictures is a result of my sloppy cleaning (I only had a dry rag to work with; the detailing shop is located in another building).

[NWS4Guy]

Good stuff, be sure to let us know (and maybe some pics?) in about a week without cleaning how the wheels look, and also your impressions of the grip they offer. Also, if there is any squeal from these, some people had issues with the stock squealing a lot.

Are you going to perform a high friction bed or just drive them around some?

[Hydroshock]

Good stuff, be sure to let us know (and maybe some pics?) in about a week without cleaning how the wheels look, and also your impressions of the grip they offer. Also, if there is any squeal from these, some people had issues with the stock squealing a lot.

Are you going to perform a high friction bed or just drive them around some?

Okay, I'll take a picture after not cleaning the wheels for an entire week (I may go through withdrawal on this one).

Yes, I'll make a note of the new pads stopping ability and noise factor.

I'm not familiar with the high friction bed? I'll gladly take advice on how one goes about this, and if it is recommended over a standard break-in.

Thanks in advance.

[S4.2Avant]

From what I know, you take a bunch of runs from something like 60+ and hit the brakes hard. I can't remember when I installed my StopTechs...it was a pain finding a spot to do it in.

[NWS4Guy]

From what I know, you take a bunch of runs from something like 60+ and hit the brakes hard. I can't remember when I installed my StopTechs...it was a pain finding a spot to do it in.

You can look up the correct method, it was discussed here a good deal when people had issues with the noise (after much debate about how this was not correct to do, and take it to Audi - that is what the techs did per a TSB, LOL)

You need to heat the pads enough for an even transfer of braking material from the pads to the rotors. With these ceramics, or carbon fiber, it would be about 5-8 runs back to back where you start from 60+ and brake very quickly but not enough to invoke ABS, then come off the brakes around 10MPH (YOU NEVER WANT TO STOP during bedding, the idea is an even coating of material transfer, and at high temps stopping will leave a lot in that spot).

Needless to say a back country road is preferred with no traffic, so you can do accel and slow downs in short order. You want to do this back to back with little time (less than 30 seconds) between each run. Then after the last run, the rotors will be up to high temps and the transfer will have been made - now you need to drive for at least 5 minutes without stopping and ideally without using the brakes to cool the rotors, 10 min if possible. Once this is done, another set of 5-8 runs again will complete the process with the same cooldown afterwards.

Once done, this will ensure that the brakes grip better, squeal less (if at all) and last longer.

[foodplz]

any updates on the EBC? i need to do this asap.

[DavidSilverS4]

Also looking for an update on the EBC brake pads. How are they working out for you Hydroshock?

I noticed Centric has the Posi-Quiet Semi-Metallic pads available for the B8 S4. Ive used them on my girlfriends 328i and they were just like OEM but with almost no dust and no noise.

Centric PosiQuiet Website- Several distributors are selling these parts.
http://www.centricparts.com/index.ph...d=47&Itemid=81

[Hydroshock]

I'm really sorry for the delay, but I'd been dealing with a very sick dog, which didn't have a happy ending (R.I.P. Dino).

The new ceramic pads are perfectly quiet and there is hardly any brake dust to contend with; I can recommend them without any reservations.

These were taken after six days use.










I was able to get the wheels clean with very little effort, as opposed to the original pads with their dust.

Hope this helps!

[DavidSilverS4]

Thanks Hydroshock. Excellent review!!!!!!

How do they compare to the OEM as far as peddle feel? And any noise?

Sorry about Dino. I hate to hear it.

[NWS4Guy]

Very sorry for your loss man

Good news on the pads, I'll have to look into some I think.

[Hydroshock]

Thanks Hydroshock. Excellent review!!!!!!

How do they compare to the OEM as far as peddle feel? And any noise?

Sorry about Dino. I hate to hear it.

They felt a little spongy for around twenty or so miles, but now at four hundred miles, they feel great. There is no noise at all so far.

Thanks for the kind words regarding Dino. Dogs are great, but it's really hard when the end comes.

[Skyler@Achtuning]

Sorry to hear about your pup, I have a 1 year old Shepard/lab mutt myself, he's a big goofball still.

We currently have two pad options available for the B8 S4 Front, the Posi-Quiet Semi-Metallic (104 compound) at $64.45 and the StopTech Street Performance pads at $141.90. The PQ 104s offer the most dust control of any pad from StopTech or Centric, even the Ceramic compound 105s (not available for B8 S4 yet). For the rears the 104s are the only choice currently and are priced at $61.15.
Here is a quick comparison chart of the 104 and 309 compounds





Currently we only have the 309s online http://shop.achtuning.com/brake-upgr...udi-b8-s4.aspx but phoning in an order for either pad will only take a minute or two. We can be reached at 1-877-722-4886 M-F from 10AM-6PM PST.

[foodplz]

I just purchased the posi-quiets from achtuning today. Will update when I have them installed.

[DavidSilverS4]

I just purchased the posi-quiets from achtuning today. Will update when I have them installed.

Looking forward to the posi-quiet review. Keep us posted.

[NWS4Guy]

Looking forward to the posi-quiet review. Keep us posted.

Ditto, I am due in there in a few weeks when my APR exhaust arrives to have it installed, and might get these added on as well

[ChrisMT79]

I just purchased the posi-quiets from achtuning today. Will update when I have them installed.

Looking forward to an update as well!

[Skyler@Achtuning]

I just purchased the posi-quiets from achtuning today. Will update when I have them installed.

ETA on your pads to your doorstep is the 15th :)

[foodplz]

I finally got these stoptech posi-quiet pads installed (sorry for the delay i was back and forth at the dealer for a rear door malfunction, front joint bearing, front right torn caliper boot, front left control arm.... it's been an eventful month for my car)

The rear install was pretty standard, needed to vcds to retract e-brake, push turn caliper tool to release the rear caliper.

Front install was pretty uneventful... except i don't think audi designed their pad wear sensors to be reused with aftermarket pads. The sensor broke when my installer tried to put it back in. You cannot buy a brake pad sensor on it's own... you can only buy it with an OEM pad. My temp/perm solution is to run without a brakepad sensor... just ziptied it to the brake line and out of the way.

I was pretty disappointed with the fact that the posi-quiets didn't come with a sensor (there is only one BTW... front driver side). I might follow up with stoptech about this... can't be all that expensive to throw on a single pad sensor on these pads... can it??
****************
Initial braking response is slightly less harsh.... you can definitely tell that the pad is a harder compound and makes more noise. I'll report back with pictures of dust accumulation in the next week or so.

[StratJohn]

Sorry to hear about the pooch Hydro. Had to put mine down a couple years ago, its gut wrenching.

foodplz, I have no idea how casual your dealer is, But! ****> This is a common issue on lots of VW and Audi's. We did our own pads here and this issue happened (a while back) and when we tried to get the parts warrantied, they said no dice because we must have broken them.

Now not for nothing, but I explained to the tech that lots of these break, and it should not affect any warranty at all, because the entire unit was secured until we could bring it to them to inspect.

In short, make sure its noted on your sheet somewhere that the techs are aware of the sensor issue and that it should not be detrimental later on.

[Nadrealista]

I placed an order for front and rear; hopefully, they'll do the trick.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...n+%26+Steering

man B8 pads are cheap!

[NWS4Guy]

man B8 pads are cheap!

Thankfully!

[DavidSilverS4]

I just ordered front and rear EBC red stuff pads. Do we have a good DIY on how to install them on the B8?

Hopefully I dont have the same brake sensor problems. I'll let you know how it goes.

[NWS4Guy]

I just ordered front and rear EBC red stuff pads. Do we have a good DIY on how to install them on the B8?

Hopefully I dont have the same brake sensor problems. I'll let you know how it goes.

This is similar with info on how to use VCDS to retracts the electric brake on the rears and how to reset it again once down.

[ljcougar11]

You can buy the sensors from Audi:
Brake Sensor Contact
8T0 907 637

[DavidSilverS4]

I was pretty disappointed with the fact that the posi-quiets didn't come with a sensor (there is only one BTW... front driver side).

I just got the EBC pads and they dont have brake pad sensors either. I'll let you know how the install goes.

[foodplz]

Brake dust update :

200 miles and the wheels are still clean. Way less dust. Very pleased

Brake feel is not too different than OEM during normal driving.

When braking there is slightly more noise. But that is expected from a harder pad. No squeaking except on one rainy day but has gone away after a couple of hard brakes.

I would use these again. Again. I think it should come with a pad sensor. I might try and get one from stoptech. I know their street performance pad comes with sensors.

[DavidSilverS4]

EBC Red Stuff update:

I finally got the pads installed over the weekend. A local shop (Butler Tire) installed the pads for $78 front, $78 rear. Ive only put about 30 miles on the new pads and they squeal like hell.

No brake dust so far but if the noise does not stop in the next 100 miles Im going to take them off and try the posi-quiets. Any ideas on how I can get rid of the noise?