Almost time for new brake pads, narrowed down to Hawk, EBC, Akebono, recommendations?

[drewgold]

I'll be going with new pads all around soon but am having a really hard time deciding what to go with.

My car is a daily driver and I don't have plans to track it but do enjoy the odd spirited drive. I also live in the mountains which means lots of twisty roads (to have fun on) and long sustained downhills that tend to cook brakes.

I'd like something with good cold performance as I live in a cold climate and a small town so make lots of short trips and my brakes often don't have time to warm up.
I'd also like something with low dust and quiet.

In reading a large number of reviews and data sheets, I have narrowed down my choices to the following:

EBC Red
Hawk HPS
Hawk HPS 5.0
Akebono Euro Ceramic

At this point I'm thinking Hawk HPS 5.0 for the front and Akebono Euro for the rear. (The Akebonos are more than half the price of the Hawk 5.0 or EBC Red)
Thoughts on this setup?

Also considering going regular Hawk HPS in the rear as they're only slightly more expensive.

With so many options and different intended uses, it's really hard to make a call without actually trying different pads.

Thanks for any suggestions!!

[vce1232000]

Hawks all around. I have them in my car. I would not with anything else. Great pads for everyday use
I do not let $$$$$ price sway me on products safety like tires and brakes. You get what you pay for

[drewgold]

Is anyone running the newer Hawk HPS 5.0's? Curious how they compare on the A4 to the old HPS.

Obviously EBC Red and HPS have been discussed to death but curious where the HPS 5.0 fits into the mix.

[B-Time]

I've spent winters in the Rockies and Tetons. Both with HPS and they performed very well.

[Axis]

Because of the clunking reviews I've read about akebono's I would remove them from your list.

I really like my centric posi-quiet ceramic pads.

[Jake@JHM]

The Hawk HPS Streets are pretty great.

[z_wrecker]

I have Akebono's. almost no dust, decent stopping power, but there is clunking....

[drewgold]

I have Akebono's. almost no dust, decent stopping power, but there is clunking....

Because of the clunking reviews I've read about akebono's I would remove them from your list.

I have heard that the clunking is only an issue on the front with the Akebonos, can anyone confirm?

[Solarsuplex]

I vote EBC red, almost 0 dust.

[80sGuy]

Stock OEM Audi brand (all discs/all pads). Nothing like the original. Been on my second set and I'm very happy.

[Charles.waite]

I loved my Akebonos....buuuuuuut.....the clunking drove me nuts. After two years there were no signs of unusual wear so I doubt its a safety issue, but I tried nearly every trick in the book to quiet them down and nothing worked. Drove me nuts. I loved the performance and the complete lack of dust but I'm looking elsewhere next time. I'm probably going to go with Posi-Quiet Ceramics.

I have heard that the clunking is only an issue on the front with the Akebonos, can anyone confirm?

Yes only the front.

[2kwik4u]

I loved my Akebonos....buuuuuuut.....the clunking drove me nuts. After two years there were no signs of unusual wear so I doubt its a safety issue, but I tried nearly every trick in the book to quiet them down and nothing worked. Drove me nuts. I loved the performance and the complete lack of dust but I'm looking elsewhere next time. I'm probably going to go with Posi-Quiet Ceramics.



Yes only the front.

100% agree. I have Akebono's on mine and won't be using them again due to the clunking/rattling while driving and braking.

[vce1232000]

From what I understand the the Akebonos front brake backing is cut different and allows movement while in the caliper. Causing a clunk when the brakes are applied. You can verify this by a seasoned set and look at the marks on the metal backing pad that contacts the caliper and see where the actual movement was

[Charles.waite]

It's not when it's applied (at least in my case). They would rattle over bumps and potholes. Super annoying.

[drewgold]

Appreciate the info on the Akebonos, heard that there were clunking issues but they sound pretty bad. Will steer clear for the fronts for sure.

I also see lots of people referring to the HPS pads as ceramic but Hawk calls them Ferro-carbon. Is that just a fancy name for ceramic or is it trully a different compound?

[vvenom800tt]

Stock OEM Audi brand (all discs/all pads). Nothing like the original. Been on my second set and I'm very happy.

Just no, stock pads are not that great, he obviously wants something a little more aggressive than stock.

[vce1232000]

Appreciate the info on the Akebonos, heard that there were clunking issues but they sound pretty bad. Will steer clear for the fronts for sure.

I also see lots of people referring to the HPS pads as ceramic but Hawk calls them Ferro-carbon. Is that just a fancy name for ceramic or is it trully a different compound?

I believe that Hawks do have a ceramic compound version separate from the ferro-carbon version. I chose the HPS ferro-carbon for the stopping power and I sacrificed a little more brake dust. Which was still a big difference from my stock oem pads

http://www.hawkperformance.com/perfo...rmance-ceramic

http://www.hawkperformance.com/perfo...ormance-street

[drewgold]

Because of the clunking reviews I've read about akebono's I would remove them from your list.

I really like my centric posi-quiet ceramic pads.

Interesting about the posi-quiet ceramic. I have read mixed reviews on them, seems that most wouldn't buy them again but suppose it depends what expectations are too. Found them for roughly $100 cheaper than the EBC Red or HPS 5.0 so may be worth considering given the savings.

[vvenom800tt]

I wish they made PBR ultimates for our car, theyre great pads.

[Charles.waite]

Interesting about the posi-quiet ceramic. I have read mixed reviews on them, seems that most wouldn't buy them again but suppose it depends what expectations are too. Found them for roughly $100 cheaper than the EBC Red or HPS 5.0 so may be worth considering given the savings.

Lots of people like grabby pads. The akebonos aren't grabby at all. I would imagine the posi-quiets are the same. Much prefer the less grabby more progressive feel of ceramic pads. Intimately the stopping distances are going to be pretty much identical but it's the pedal feel that changes.

[jamerican1]

Hmmm I've run Akebonos for years. Never experienced said clunking. I love them. I don't know I'm doing differently from you all but I can assure you its nothing special.

[617 Bones]

I'm running the Hawk HPS (upgraded from OEM Audi pads) and like them a lot. Bite was quicker and stronger than OEM pads. I also installed the TyrolSport Stiffening kit at the same time though... So not sure if the improve "feel" was completely due to the pad upgrade or combo of both.

[TransAm87WS6]

I'm running Akebonos too, no clunking; are you guys with clunking running the stock anti-rattle clip/spring still?

[B-Time]

I'm running the Hawk HPS (upgraded from OEM Audi pads) and like them a lot. Bite was quicker and stronger than OEM pads. I also installed the TyrolSport Stiffening kit at the same time though... So not sure if the improve "feel" was completely due to the pad upgrade or combo of both.

HPS do not have the initial bite that OEM pads do.

[Charles.waite]

I'm running Akebonos too, no clunking; are you guys with clunking running the stock anti-rattle clip/spring still?

Yes I was. I replaced it with a brand new ATE spring clip and it didn't help.

[slappomatt]

I have run akebonos also for over a year with nothing but praise. you can pry my ZERO dust pads from my cold dead hands. A track pad they are not though. I plan to get the highest level hawk pads I can fit for track and run the euro ceramic on the street. Buddy has them also with zero issues.

[vce1232000]

The different pad material you choose between the ceramic vs carbon-ferro is the type of driving you do and the demographic area that your imo. I live in a metro area with alot of traffic and also open highways just 30 minutes away. HPS fit my driving style and needs. They perform well high speed braking with minimal fade and great pedal feel with imo greater stopping distance. Heating up the brakes is no issue for me as I city drive 80% of the time. When I do high speed braking on the highways. It only takes a split seconds to heat up quick from highway speeds to be in the optimum operating temperature of the pads. If im traveling @ 120 mph + these babies wil heat fast when applied. I compare these to my stock pad set up when I upgraded into HPS with stock calipers. There was a big difference. Now with the RS4 BBK I have with the HPS its incredible how it stops

[Audi_509]

I installed akebonos front (8 months) and rear (6 months) with no issues. I love the no dust and peddle feel.

[A4turboSs]

Ran Akebonos for about 2 weeks before I took them off. The peddle feel and clunking/vibration was a big no for me. Took it as a loss and just put them off to the side. Glad this thread is up and about now since there was barely much info when I bought them

[2kwik4u]

I'm running Akebonos too, no clunking; are you guys with clunking running the stock anti-rattle clip/spring still?

Yeap, all factory hardware in place. Rattles over bumps (like train crossings), and then has a noticeable "clunk" when applying the brakes. Both audibly, and through the pedal. I can remedy the problems by cleaning the pad to caliper interface surfaces really well, but it comes back in less than a month.

[drewgold]

Thanks for all the feedback, really helps. And good info on the Akebonos! I have looked through loads of spec sheets for different pads from different brands and I have to wonder if the clunking is caused by manufacturing tolerances. On a lot of spec sheets, I have noticed pad size variation by as much as 0.7mm, that's not a lot but could certainly be enough to leave a pad loose in the caliper.

Still leaning toward the Akebonos for the rear, mostly because I found them on sale for $40 and that will put me over the $200 threshold to save 20% on my order so basically they're free, if they suck, it's no big deal to have to buy a different set so I figure I may as well try em.

The question for the fronts is:
Do I save some money and try out the Stoptech Posi-quiet ceramic (~$90 Canadian) or spend a bit more and go EBC Red (~$161 CAD), Hawk HPS (~$177 CAD) or HPS 5.0 (~$199 CAD)
Pads are for my Q5 Brembo front calipers that will be going on in the spring.

[Charles.waite]

Thanks for all the feedback, really helps. And good info on the Akebonos! I have looked through loads of spec sheets for different pads from different brands and I have to wonder if the clunking is caused by manufacturing tolerances. On a lot of spec sheets, I have noticed pad size variation by as much as 0.7mm, that's not a lot but could certainly be enough to leave a pad loose in the caliper.

Still leaning toward the Akebonos for the rear, mostly because I found them on sale for $40 and that will put me over the $200 threshold to save 20% on my order so basically they're free, if they suck, it's no big deal to have to buy a different set so I figure I may as well try em.

The question for the fronts is:
Do I save some money and try out the Stoptech Posi-quiet ceramic (~$90 Canadian) or spend a bit more and go EBC Red (~$161 CAD), Hawk HPS (~$177 CAD) or HPS 5.0 (~$199 CAD)
Pads are for my Q5 Brembo front calipers that will be going on in the spring.

Definitely go for akebonos rear then. Thats a great deal.

As far as fronts, personally, I'm replacing my pads after a year on my b7 because I threw on some house brand O'Reilly pads when I was selling my b7 at the time, and the brake pad warning light came on three days before I was showing it to some people. Had to scramble to find new pads and rotors and the crappy pads were all they had. They've been decent enough, but they dust badly and have developed a loud squeak during light-medium braking that drives me nuts. When I do replace them I'm going with Posi-Quiet ceramics, I've read some good reviews of them and Centric makes quality stuff so I'm not concerned about their longevity at all.

Edit: i know there are ways I can mitigate the squeak, but these pads just generally suck so I want to ditch them anyway.

[Andrew149]

Been running hawk HPS up front for a month now and I really love the brake feeling the bite takes a second and then they get pretty aggressive, if you need them too. No Clunking and little brake dust.

Sent from my Moto X Pure.

[UberTeile]

I really like my centric posi-quiet ceramic pads.

+1 on that....although you might be disappointed with them if outright "performance" is what you desire. In my experience, they lack the hard initial "bite" that most performance pads give. But they're terrific for daily(and occasionally spirited) driving and they put out very little dust.

[vce1232000]

What I experienced with the HPS pads are that after what I call the break in period(1000 mile) they really perform the.

[IKE20VA4]

Very happy with my akebonos. Front and rear. Installed with new rotors and all hardware as well. No clunking here either! Installed maybe 6 months ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pvltr_Chuck]

I don't mean to thread jack here, but I am also looking to replace all four of my brake pads as well as replace my rotors. I am still on stock 17" wheels but I would like to upgrade the performance a bit but I am looking at these right now (links below) but if anyone has any other recommendations then I would greatly appreciate hearing them.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A3HT33BPF4USBF
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[Axis]

I don't mean to thread jack here, but I am also looking to replace all four of my brake pads as well as replace my rotors. I am still on stock 17" wheels but I would like to upgrade the performance a bit but I am looking at these right now (links below) but if anyone has any other recommendations then I would greatly appreciate hearing them.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A3HT33BPF4USBF
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Check R1 concept (Stoptech rotors for less) high carbon rotors

Edit : Clicky click

[aluthman]

HPS do not have the initial bite that OEM pads do.

This is true, but if you stand on the pedal, they will do their job admirably. There is also SIGNIFICANTLY less dust than the stock pads.

[drewgold]

Check R1 concept (Stoptech rotors for less) high carbon rotors

Edit : Clicky click

That's a really good deal!