Yes another brake pad replacement/DIY post?

[Rapter]

Ok boys and girls I'm in need of new front brake pads and hopefully not both pads and rotors. I have that low brake light on thinking of doing it myself. I've done some searching on here, AW and even been linked over to Vortex. While I am a complete newb to brakes. I've done some minor bolt in mods(Coilover install, clear corner mod, Audio install). If need be I will take it to my mechanic, but I rather fail first trying to learn how to do it myself rather than have him do it right off the bat.

Questions...

1. First which DIY are you guys using (preferably an S4 is used in the DIY)?

2. Do after market pads differ much from OEM as far as physical and install procedure? I'm looking into Hawk HPS and read something about having to cut some sensor off or something like that?

3. How can you tell when you need new rotors? I also briefly read that some people were having problems because they didn't replace both pads and rotors due to high mileage(which I have 105k).

4. Is bleeding the brakes necessary? If so I'm assuming that will be in the DIY?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, bu that should be good for now.

TIA

[Rated S]

1. First which DIY are you guys using (preferably an S4 is used in the DIY)?

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel39.shtml

2. Do after market pads differ much from OEM as far as physical and install procedure? I'm looking into Hawk HPS and read something about having to cut some sensor off or something like that?

The shape and install are exactly the same. The only difference would be if the aftermarket pad you buy (which are far superior to OEM pads in performance aspect) don't come with brake wear sensors, you will have to short the sensor, or you will always have the "low brake pad" warning in the LCD screen like you have now. I think it explains it in the DIY above.

3. How can you tell when you need new rotors? I also briefly read that some people were having problems because they didn't replace both pads and rotors due to high mileage(which I have 105k).

A good rule of thumb is replace rotors every other pad replacement. If you don't know when the rotors have been changed, change them. Especially if they are OEM, as they are known to warp in higher mileage.

4. Is bleeding the brakes necessary? If so I'm assuming that will be in the DIY?

You should bleed your brakes at a minimum of once every three years.. minimum.

I don't think it's covered in the DIY, but here is another generic one that should give you the idea. You will need another person to help you (step on the brake pedal) bleed.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...o/4213448.html

[Rapter]

The shape and install are exactly the same. The only difference would be if the aftermarket pad you buy (which are far superior to OEM pads in performance aspect) don't come with brake wear sensors, you will have to short the sensor, or you will always have the "low brake pad" warning in the LCD screen like you have now. I think it explains it in the DIY above.

Does anyone know of any aftermarket pads with sensors like OEM? If so who sells them and are they low dust no squeal? This is purely for street my car will never see a track.

[Rated S]

Does anyone know of any aftermarket pads with sensors like OEM? If so who sells them and are they low dust no squeal? This is purely for street my car will never see a track.

I know PBR and EBC have sensors.

[Rapter]

Ok so I can go with...

PureMS:
PBR Ultimate Ceramic Front Brake Pads
SKU: D420RU
Our Price: $103.95

Or...

TireRack:
Hawk HPS Street brake pads
Price: $147.00 (axle set)
Estimated Availability: In Stock
Manufacturer Part #: HB363F.689A

Both of them have the sensors so are the Hawks worth the extra $4X.00?

[GunSupplier]

I know PBR and EBC have sensors.

http://awe-tuning.com/pages/shared/p...&IL=MintexPads

Those do too.

[Rated S]

I have PBR Ultimate Ceramics.
The break in squeel is crazy loud, but they are awesome pads.
I also broke them in..literally at an autox event, so that didn't help the squeel.

[jibberjive]

I know PBR and EBC have sensors.

When I see PBR I think Pabst Blue Ribbon ha

[Rapter]

I'm about to order the hawk pads, will I need to buy brake fluid? If so which one should I go with? She will never see a track so I won't need anything extreme.

TIA

[Bimmer2Audi]

DO NOT get the Hawk HPS pads!!! It was the worst decision of my life. They've been squeaking constantly for 3k miles and leave dust everywhere. I'll be changing them asap.

[Rapter]

When putting on the new pads do you need to put that little leather like cover back on the back of the pad? The cover is between the back of the inner pad (back side of rotor) and the brake caliper piston and has a cut out for the two bumps that back pads have. Please help at that point right now and not sure what to do.

[Rated S]

Uh, no car I've ever changed pads on has had this leather pad. I would say leave it on, unless it doesn't let the pad fit. Might help with squeeling.

[S4_NE]

I have PBR Ultimate Ceramics.
The break in squeel is crazy loud, but they are awesome pads.
I also broke them in..literally at an autox event, so that didn't help the squeel.

PBR Ultimate Ceramics i use them, good pad but they do squeel some,

[rick_chicago]

Did you get the Hawk HPS pads or something else?

I do not use any type of leather backing with either my HPS or HP+ pads. Just swap 'em back and forth and do some bedding.

[Rapter]

Yep I went with the Hawk HPS with sensors from tirerack. I was set on those, but then bimmer2's post made me have second thoughts. Then I talked to a couple people and every one said they're pretty much the best all round pad. Just got done bedding them and so far so good. Turbo swap here I come.

Here is the leather/sand paper looking patch I was talking about.

[MacDaddy]

you should also lubricate the 3 sliders to ensure even pad wear between the outside and inside pads.
you should also put some lube on the sides of the pads where they sit in the caliper bracket or they will rust, not move properly and then start making a ridge in the bracket itself. contributing to poor brake modulation and uneven pad wear.

if your going to re-use the rotors, scuff them with some 100 grit sandpaper to remove the glaze otherwise the pads won't break in properly and most likely squeal like a SOB.

I flush my brake fluid every year, 2 or 3 years your fluid will be black and full of water that corrodes the internals of your brake system causes seals to leak and ultimately brake failure.
change your fluid BEFORE it turns black.

[mholme]

DO NOT get the Hawk HPS pads!!! It was the worst decision of my life. They've been squeaking constantly for 3k miles and leave dust everywhere. I'll be changing them asap.

I'll second the squealing and the dust. But they are still the best pads I've had. I can deal with both of those issues.

[rick_chicago]

Everyone has a favorite pad. I think the HPS are great, but also don't doubt there are others that are also great. I have zero squeal, low dust and great initial bite with them.

I still have my HP+ pads on from the last track event this year, and my wheels are practically black from the dust, I squeal at stoplights - my laziness provides quite the illustrative example.

I'll just swap 'em back when I switch to the winter wheels in a few weeks.

It'll take at least a liter to 1.5 liters for a full flush. I'm trying the Brembo SportEVO 500 from Tire Rack, but there are others that folks prefer most. My understanding is the Castrol SRF fluid is the best there is, but it's $80 a liter.

I use a power bleeder - my wife won't come out to the garage at 10pm to pump the pedal. I use a jack, jack stand, AND I slide the wheel underneath so daddy always comes back in one piece.

FYI - the brake fluid eats paint like gummi bears.

[Boosted-S4]

The best pads u can get and even come with sensors is the PBR ULT Ceramics!! I have them on my car front and back and they are awesome..i have had them for 5k and no squeel whatsoever...They stop like crazy and makes the brake pedal have a nice braking feel!!!
They are totally shimmed for noise reduction!! Since u are changing the pads and still have oem rotors u should defenetly change them!!! Believe me..u will notice a great diference!!!For better offcourse!!!
Not putting down hawks but i have had a couple of buddies with s4s that had bad experiences with them!!!It even damaged their expensive brembo rotors!!!

[MacDaddy]

I really like PBR pads, I haven't had much luck in the noise department (especially on my girlfriends escort) but they work really really well.