I bought some parts store "Heavy Duty" Brake pads last spring. Since then I've put ~30k on the car.

I had the front wheels off yesterday and noticed something neat.. almost NO wear on the pads. there is still like 80% left, at least. I'm NOT easy on brakes.. I've had the rotors glow more than once, and have autocrossed a few times with this car..

Is this normal?

 

I notice the same thing on my FC.. I have some more performance oriented pads, and put ~30k on it as well, and front pads were still looking very good, and I am not easy either.

 

A lot of those “Parts store” pads have a lifetime warranty and are so hard, they will chew your rotor to pieces before they ware down.

I don’t think you have anything to worry about (Other than the fact that those pads are relatively poor performers). Just keep an eye on your rotor thickness.

 

Brake pads are one of those things where you don't realize how well upgrade units are until you try them.

Try some Hawk HPS and then tell us if you still like your old brake pads.

BTW, autocross isn't a very good indicator of abusive brakes environment.


-Ted

 

i had to replace my brakes a month ago and i wanted to get some hawk hps pads but nobody had them and the garage i went to said they never even heard of them do you have to order them offline or can you go to a parts store and get them? id like to know so next time i replace them i know where to find them

 

I think the link up above has them?
Try the RX-7 Store...


-Ted

 

I need better tires before I worry about better brake pads.. I can trigger abs at 120+MPH with these ones...

 

I wouldn'd think that triggering abs is caused 100% by bad tires. You really ought to try what Reted said and get some decent aftermarket pads, it'll surprise you. I had a car before(i'll not mention the type as its a sacrilege around here ) that I tried several different things to make it brake better. New rotors, new pads(generic parts store in a few different types) new larger calipers, different brake fluids, and it never felt right or much better. After going back to the rx-7 a few years later, going from stock to axxis metal masters made the difference I wanted on the other car, just by themselves. I would also beware of pads that don't seem to wear out. Like eyeoutthere said, they eat rotors(and rotors are a tad more $$ to replace than pads). If your stopping, something is wearing. If it isn't the pads.... well..

 

I meant that brake pads aren't the thing holding my stopping distances back if I can lock the tires on demand at any speed..