Noob brake pad question
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Joined: Mar 2017
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Noob brake pad question
Hi all, I'm quite new here and have some questions on brake pads. Sorry if it seems long winded.
I purchased my 04 about half a year ago and was told the brake pads were quite new, don't know what they are.
I'm now looking to get into a few track days, perhaps only a handful a year.
I just completed a days worth on the skid pan in the aim to know how to handle the car better and to try 'feel' it's limits (have only ever owned front wheel cars). I must say fell in love with the car even more!
Anyhoo, after the session, my brakes are now squealing like a mofo but only while braking at slow speeds, harder braking no sound at all, and overall braking feels fine. Plenty of meat left too on the pads.
Now I've done a bit of a searching and what I found is that the cause may be either from they're cheap brake pads, track built pads, or just that the brake assembly (shims, brake piston etc) need greasing up (any more ideas or experience would be much appreciated, but I'm hoping getting new pads will solve the issue).
Some questions (noting I'm a noob to tracking):
- when buying brake pads to suit my situation, i.e. car mainly as a daily but with the occasional track day, what pads do you recommend? Or even recommend to have 2 types and interchange them when on track and when not.
- probably another dumb question, but how long does a set of brake pads typically last for while tracking, e.g. is it stupid to assume you can get pads which would last a couple a track days, or would you usually change to a fresh set each time you go on track?
- I've seen on a few treads, the front and rear pads are different, why so and I'm only guessing that this only a preference?
Thanks in advance.
I purchased my 04 about half a year ago and was told the brake pads were quite new, don't know what they are.
I'm now looking to get into a few track days, perhaps only a handful a year.
I just completed a days worth on the skid pan in the aim to know how to handle the car better and to try 'feel' it's limits (have only ever owned front wheel cars). I must say fell in love with the car even more!
Anyhoo, after the session, my brakes are now squealing like a mofo but only while braking at slow speeds, harder braking no sound at all, and overall braking feels fine. Plenty of meat left too on the pads.
Now I've done a bit of a searching and what I found is that the cause may be either from they're cheap brake pads, track built pads, or just that the brake assembly (shims, brake piston etc) need greasing up (any more ideas or experience would be much appreciated, but I'm hoping getting new pads will solve the issue).
Some questions (noting I'm a noob to tracking):
- when buying brake pads to suit my situation, i.e. car mainly as a daily but with the occasional track day, what pads do you recommend? Or even recommend to have 2 types and interchange them when on track and when not.
- probably another dumb question, but how long does a set of brake pads typically last for while tracking, e.g. is it stupid to assume you can get pads which would last a couple a track days, or would you usually change to a fresh set each time you go on track?
- I've seen on a few treads, the front and rear pads are different, why so and I'm only guessing that this only a preference?
Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 24,771
Likes: 311
From: Stanmore
Lots of great info here: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/uk-irela...v0-3-a-582446/ see the brakes section, especially.
Most switch to a brake pad and fluid more suited to the higher temperatures on track.
My preferred option was Dixcel (search the Tracder section for where to get these) but there is a listing her of differing pads, most of which are suitable for track use:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/uk-irela.../#post23172406
As for how long pads last, that depends on how you drive, how long you drive and how much/if you overheat them.
Having a "road set" and a track set" is not a bad idea, but if you're not doing more than 2-3 days a year, it's possibly not worth the hassle of swapping them each time.
However, note that some track pads aren't really that good for the road as they take a while to warm up.
There are loads of threads on this, so another search may help you.
Most switch to a brake pad and fluid more suited to the higher temperatures on track.
My preferred option was Dixcel (search the Tracder section for where to get these) but there is a listing her of differing pads, most of which are suitable for track use:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/uk-irela.../#post23172406
As for how long pads last, that depends on how you drive, how long you drive and how much/if you overheat them.
Having a "road set" and a track set" is not a bad idea, but if you're not doing more than 2-3 days a year, it's possibly not worth the hassle of swapping them each time.
However, note that some track pads aren't really that good for the road as they take a while to warm up.
There are loads of threads on this, so another search may help you.
Last edited by lovegroova; May 9, 2017 at 11:11 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2017
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Ok I've done more research and have also decided to stick with only a single set for both street and the odd occasional auto cross/track days.
Would anyone have current opinions on the following 3 and how they compare with one another:
- Project Mu NS400
- Stoptech Street
- Dixcel ES
Thanks in advance.
Would anyone have current opinions on the following 3 and how they compare with one another:
- Project Mu NS400
- Stoptech Street
- Dixcel ES
Thanks in advance.
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 61
From: UK, South Coast
I have the Project Mu NS400s all round, they certainly aren't as bitey at the sintered OEM ones for street and require proper bedding in, but do give a nice progressive feel rather than on/off and I'm not cleaning my alloys of dust every week either. Can't comment for occasional track use as I've never done any but do me well on the road. Si@Hendy Performance will sort you out if you decide to go that route.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,459
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From: UK, South Coast
Nope, no grinding and perfect fit. Fitted them myself - no different from any other pad installation but did refurb the front calipers while I was at it (did the backs the previous year ) so that may have aided installation
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 458
Likes: 10
From: Berkshire
Give the calliper carriers a good clean with a wire brush and copper grease them up, clean and grease the slider pins too, always worth doing while you've got the callipers off anyway, especially if you're tracking it
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 738
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From: SE England
Lots of great info here: https://www.s2ki.com/forums/uk-irela...v0-3-a-582446/ see the brakes section, especially.
Most switch to a brake pad and fluid more suited to the higher temperatures on track.
My preferred option was Dixcel (search the Tracder section for where to get these) but there is a listing her of differing pads, most of which are suitable for track use:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/uk-irela.../#post23172406
As for how long pads last, that depends on how you drive, how long you drive and how much/if you overheat them.
Having a "road set" and a track set" is not a bad idea, but if you're not doing more than 2-3 days a year, it's possibly not worth the hassle of swapping them each time.
However, note that some track pads aren't really that good for the road as they take a while to warm up.
There are loads of threads on this, so another search may help you.
Most switch to a brake pad and fluid more suited to the higher temperatures on track.
My preferred option was Dixcel (search the Tracder section for where to get these) but there is a listing her of differing pads, most of which are suitable for track use:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/uk-irela.../#post23172406
As for how long pads last, that depends on how you drive, how long you drive and how much/if you overheat them.
Having a "road set" and a track set" is not a bad idea, but if you're not doing more than 2-3 days a year, it's possibly not worth the hassle of swapping them each time.
However, note that some track pads aren't really that good for the road as they take a while to warm up.
There are loads of threads on this, so another search may help you.
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