Attention all "AWD's" if you use a different brake pad other than standard, coul you please tell me the characteristics of the pad, also brands and part numbers.
Looking to get something not as dusty as the ferodo's to suit the new 4000 series slotted rotors l recently acquired.
Thanks heaps.

Definitely not Bendix Ultimates... I'm about to try out Bendix General CT's on my new 380 calipers soon, apparently they arent very dusty.

I have CT's on my TJII AWD Sports
Great.
Not too dusty. No noise.
Work much better than the OE pads.

Gerry

Bendix Ultimates are excellent performers, but are quite dusty. Bendix General CTs don't perform as well (although they're better than stock), but have no dusting and no squealing. I have the General CTs on my single piston brakes and I'm very happy - I'd get them again if I upgraded to twin piston calipers.

I haven't used them, but I've also heard good things about QFM (Queensland Friction Material) pads.

I went from Bendix Ultimates to QFM HPX-1s and Super Xs and I have to say its a big improvement. The Ultimates while a decent pad were (on my car at least), extremely noisy and dusty and quite harsh on the rotors.

The feel of the QFMs is identical to the Bendix, but without the noise and dust and supposedly less harsh on the rotors aswell.

+ for Bendix Ulimates here ..there on my evo.. and are dusty as hell.. BUT perform very well...

So where does one aquire those QFM pads? are they for single pod?

So where does one aquire those QFM pads? are they for single pod?

I don't know about elsewhere, but Brakesplus are a stockist and distributor of QFM pads in Victoria.

+1 for bendix Ultimates.

Dusty but just an excuse to wash the car again.

Have had General CT's on the AWD. Better than stock but still not great. Don't grab as well as i would like and easy to overheat.
My CT's squeal a fair bit too. They do last a long time though. Had them for 3 years and they still look new.

Would go the ultimates, great feel, takes a huge amount to cook, more than most people would ever throw at them.

Part numbers for AWD are
Front: DB1223
Rear: DB1231.

As Nigel knows, I hate Ultimates, have had a very bad run with them

I love the Lucas (avail from ABS) are as dusty as all hell BUT have higher temp ratings than the Ultimates and will not destroy your rotors in the process

Hehehee.

Regarding QFM pads, i've used them on my RAV4, Verada and about to buy a set for my SS. There are different places you can buy online, here's 2 of them:

- Brake West (http://www.brakewest.com.au/) (VIC)
- GSL RallySport (http://www.qfmperformance.com/) (QLD)

Both places have quoted me $160 for a full set of HPX pads delivered for my SS. I'll be getting them from Brake West as they are local to my state.

i had brakes plus change my front pads months ago.. and i am not going to complaine. they were quick not to costly and my car stops.. ha ha and they arent dusty and last a long time

tho i dont drive like amin

I got QFM "HPX" pads via GSL Rallysport, after recommendations in here. At the time, they had a deal where rears were half-price if you bought the front pads - was $131-00 for full set. I got a set for each of my cars, and also a pair of front slotted rotors - GSL recommended RDA over DBA, based on feedback and perceived quality issues.... and they def recommended against cross-drilled rotors due to cracking. Found GSL Rallysport very very helpful, and freight costs were OK. Very happy with HPX pads, much more confident with FWD brakes now, esp on Verada KJ. Got it thru rego today, might try to compare the brake test readings with last years - see if the figures differ.

I got QFM "HPX" pads via GSL Rallysport, after recommendations in here. At the time, they had a deal where rears were half-price if you bought the front pads - was $131-00 for full set. I got a set for each of my cars, and also a pair of front slotted rotors - GSL recommended RDA over DBA, based on feedback and perceived quality issues.... and they def recommended against cross-drilled rotors due to cracking. Found GSL Rallysport very very helpful, and freight costs were OK. Very happy with HPX pads, much more confident with FWD brakes now, esp on Verada KJ. Got it thru rego today, might try to compare the brake test readings with last years - see if the figures differ.

:iough: Gotta scratch my head on that one.

:iough: Gotta scratch my head on that one.
You'll be scratchin it for a while as there's nothing wrong with RDA rotors

Just tellin' it like it is. GSL Rallysport dealt with both companies, and seem set-up to supply and advise very professional .....well RALLY drivers and teams, not grannies like me.

Their advice was that for my use they would unreservedly recommend RDA over DBA, had far fewer customers with issues from one brand over the other - ie: less issue of quality and product fails/returns from RDA. Perhaps the more agressive marketing and glossy boxes of DBA attract a harder-driving clientelle, whao are more likely to over-tax the product? I mean this as a serious comment, not a dig.

GSL also steered me away from spending further money on higher-spec stuff they didn't think I'd need, after talking with me over my driving style and requirements. They suggested slotted RDA, no dimples, no cross-drilling (which I'd heard in here too), no pretty gold-coating.

I found their prices good, and their approach and advice first-class..... they were there to provide a useful/suitable product for ME, not to upsell me into whatever gave them a better margin, or selling me bling that was beyond my requirements.

I will absolutely deal with GSL Rallysport when next I need to, My order was sourced from several states and Magna QFM pads had to be back-ordered for at least one set - the service and communication was first-class all way through.

Just tellin' it like it is. GSL Rallysport dealt with both companies, and seem set-up to supply and advise very professional .....well RALLY drivers and teams, not grannies like me.

Their advice was that for my use they would unreservedly recommend RDA over DBA, had far fewer customers with issues from one brand over the other - ie: less issue of quality and product fails/returns from RDA. Perhaps the more agressive marketing and glossy boxes of DBA attract a harder-driving clientelle, whao are more likely to over-tax the product? I mean this as a serious comment, not a dig.

GSL also steered me away from spending further money on higher-spec stuff they didn't think I'd need, after talking with me over my driving style and requirements. They suggested slotted RDA, no dimples, no cross-drilling (which I'd heard in here too), no pretty gold-coating.

I found their prices good, and their approach and advice first-class..... they were there to provide a useful/suitable product for ME, not to upsell me into whatever gave them a better margin, or selling me bling that was beyond my requirements.

I will absolutely deal with GSL Rallysport when next I need to, My order was sourced from several states and Magna QFM pads had to be back-ordered for at least one set - the service and communication was first-class all way through.

I think you are reading too much into it. Nothing wrong with either brands so long as it isn't cheap chinese shit from ebay

Here here !

Good information...seems mixed emotions on some of the brands/types, but all positive so far for the QFM HPX...definitely will consider these for next time.

i have EBC green stuff pads very good bite i bit dusty no where near the ultimates though havn't had any fade yet they cost me $120 for the front set

Does anyone have the part numbers on-hand for the RDA rotors - my front awd rotors are at minimum thickness ~ and make a terrible noise.

i have EBC green stuff pads very good bite i bit dusty no where near the ultimates though havn't had any fade yet they cost me $120 for the front set

What are the part number/s for green stuff?

Does anyone have the part numbers on-hand for the RDA rotors - my front awd rotors are at minimum thickness ~ and make a terrible noise.
I think they are RDA7625 (294mm Rotors)

Edit: Yes they are.

My AWD had Lucas/TRW pads on the front and factory rears(probably Bendix?).

The Lucas pads were much better than Bendix Ultimates when hot or cold. There was no noise but they were dusty like Ultimates. They were OK on the rotors and only half the price of Ultimates.

Graham wasn't happy with what was available at a reasonable price. He liked Pagid, can't remember what material spec he told me, but at about $450 for fronts were too expensive so he set about getting pads made to his formulation. I now have those on my car for testing. I tried his intermediate formula front and rear. They are excellent cold and hot and don't produce dust. Probably about like EBC Greenstuff when cold but not as good as the Lucas. But much better than Ultimates, Lucas or Greenstuff when hot.

More recently he sent me the "Targa" formulation for the front. I though it would be hopeless when cold and would be noisy. But they are excellent cold and get better and better when hot. I'd rate hot performance as similar to Ferodo DS3000 race pads, but without the sparks to burn the paint off the car. I haven't been able to fade them on the road. They are dusty though, a bit worse than Greenstuff, but much cleaner than Ultimates and Lucas. I think they will be hard on the rotors, but then that isn't unusual for a pad that still works at nearly 800 deg C.

Cheers,
Alan

I don't really know much about cars but if i need to change the rotors on mine Verada KJ2 AWD, are the ones for the Magna AWD the same as the Verada AWD?

you could try and bendix 4Wd pad they are too bad then the ultimate's next.

I don't really know much about cars but if i need to change the rotors on mine Verada KJ2 AWD, are the ones for the Magna AWD the same as the Verada AWD?

yes mate.

Just thought l'd let you all know that l went with new DBA slotted 4000 series rotors and the QFM pads, Fitted the last week, so far so great. Pads are surprisingly bitey and car pulls up nice. Haven t had a chance to put heaps of heat into them yet but lm sure they'll do well.
Thanks for all your feedback guys.
edi

Just thought l'd let you all know that l went with new DBA slotted 4000 series rotors and the QFM pads, Fitted the last week, so far so great. Pads are surprisingly bitey and car pulls up nice. Haven t had a chance to put heaps of heat into them yet but lm sure they'll do well.
Thanks for all your feedback guys.
edi

Glad to hear they worked out well for you mate. :happy:

If you want the best contact Sydney Race Brakes, they will improve your stopping performance by at least 30%, pads will be hand cut and cost about $400 a set for Front and about the same for the back. You did say you wanted the best.

If you want the best contact Sydney Race Brakes, they will improve your stopping performance by at least 30%, pads will be hand cut and cost about $400 a set for Front and about the same for the back. You did say you wanted the best.


The best maybe,but for what purpose?,if they need to be red hot before they will start to bite/work efficiently,for street use they will be a PITA,so what is your application,i reckon QFM HPX are the go as a compromise

I've got Maxistop which I bought with the new 4000 series rotors. Apparently very similar to the Bendix Ultimate but not as expensive. Cost wasn't the issue why I bought them, availability was as I wanted Bendix Ultimates at the time.

If they are supposed to be like the Bendix ultimates then you can keep them both. They are "Maxi Crap" IMO. I can't make any personal recommendations as to what's better, but I can say from experience not to even bother with the Maxistops. They are absolute rubbish.

I'm using QFM A1RM pads on the front, standards on the rear. Got the QFM pads from GSL Rally Sport (very good to deal with, as noted in previous posts); they told me that they're similar to the Ferodo DS2500 (not available for the Magna) & that's probably fair (I have DS2500's in my Triumph TR8). Good bite when cold, even better when hot. Quite dusty though, & I suspect they may chew up discs; good excuse to put bigger rotors on when they wear out...

you could try and bendix 4Wd pad they are too bad then the ultimate's next.

I fitted a set of these (Bendix 1223/4wd) pads and new RDA rotors to my TL 2 weeks ago. I'm not hard on brakes (got 155000K from the originals) but these ones stop ok, nice and quite but dusty. I have no idea what the real hot performance is like as most of my driving is open road and as I said I'm easy on brakes.

bollie7

Just put in some Bendix 4WD spec front pads into my TL on standard rotors- Early days but don't appear to be very dust but the improvement in bite is astounding- heaps more power (over standard) and much better progresive feel upto quite hard brake applications- quite happy at this stage- not the cheapest option ($114 from repco- OEM quoted at $155 from dealer, cheapest $62 generic brand at Supercheap) but you get what you pay for!

Jax tyres supplier did a stuff up on the rotors they were putting on the car so now I have just ordered the RDA rotors to go with the QFM HPX pads that cant go on until the rotors show up. (Thanks Greg at GSL for your help!)

I have now got a new set of Pirelli P7's and with all this rain my TJ AWD is going to be the safest and most kick arse car on the road until it dries up again!

DJ

**update** I tried the Bosch pads, they were crap also. Good cold stopping & bitey but very dusty, short life (less than 12 months of predominantly everyday driving) and they chewed through my DBA 4000 series rotors.

I picked up some Ferodo thermo quiets (never was a fan of Ferodo previously) - And these are the best pad I've put on My AWD (Better than the OEM pads).
They are quiet, have lasted nearly 3 years now and still got about 40% left in them & and they produce the least dust of any pad I've ever used.
They have a nice, solid progressive feel (not too spongy) with good cold stopping power and I haven't experienced brake fade from them yet either.
Even going on 3 years they still feel terrific and have been very forgiving on the rotors. I'll definitely be sticking with the Thermo quiets, for everyday driving & the odd spirited drive these have been fantastic & they aren't too expensive either. Around $70 - $80 for a front set (AWD).

I'm using QFM A1RM pads on the front, standards on the rear. Got the QFM pads from GSL Rally Sport (very good to deal with, as noted in previous posts); they told me that they're similar to the Ferodo DS2500 (not available for the Magna) & that's probably fair (I have DS2500's in my Triumph TR8). Good bite when cold, even better when hot. Quite dusty though, & I suspect they may chew up discs; good excuse to put bigger rotors on when they wear out...

I'm using the QFM A1RM pads - front and rear - and they're a great pad. Noisy when cold, fantastic when they're hot.

The flip side is having all four rotors machined at a seemingly early interval - 15000km?

On my old FWD Magna I used Ferado pads (just OEM replacements, nothing fancy) and I liked them. A lot. Sure, dusty as F#%K but great feel and stopping power.

I did price some fancy Ferado pads for the AWD, but QFM were less expensive and more readily available.

Does anyone have any updates they would like to share re: AWD pads/rotors?

Mine are due soon, and I am leaning towards Lucas/TRW pads f&r and probably a set of Protex standard(non slotted) front rotors.

Any comments?

Thanks.

I use the cheapest pads available, knowing they will be kind to the discs, and have good cold bite. But they are soft, so dusty and wear checks every 20,000 km are a must.

@ Stevo - I have the DBA 4000 series rotors on the front & DBA T2s on the rear on my AWD magna.
Going on 5 years and still impressed with the Ferodo ThermoQuiets - as far as everyday street use that is also suitable for the odd spirited driving session or drag strip runs, they have been the best all round pad I've fitted so far.
Which is saying something as I'm generally not a fan of Ferodo but these are just such a terrific pad with several pluses:

Minimal dust (as in the least dusty I have ever come across)? Check
Very forgiving on the rotors (Rotors are smooth and unscored going on 5 years)? Check
Quiet as (Like virtually silent)? Check
Long life? Check (Fronts on mine going on 5 years now +60,000kms)
Good fade resistance? Check
Firm feel throughout the pedal range with good linear characteristics? Check
Reasonably priced? Check - around $150 for a set of fronts and rears

The front & rear Magna ralliart / AWD has same Akebono braking system as non-Brembo Lancer EVO 7s

Here is a link to the Ferodo thermoquiet Contacts page for correct part numbers to suit your car:
http://www.justquietly.com.au/index.php?page=contact-us

@ADM

Excellent "on topic" feedback.

As a result of this my probable preference for pads is as follows:

1. Ferodo thermo quiet

2. QFM HPX

3. Lucas/TRW - which I have currently in my R31 Skyline f&r - no complaints except for dust after 30,000km use.

Can anyone else help add to the list for AWD specific pads?

All of the above are less than $80 per f or r set including postage, which is OK by me and what I will be aiming at price wise.

I have been advised by a few retailers that Protex rotors are quite OK for normal road use so I will probably be getting these.

Any other comments are most welcome.

Also, I will be doing a full fluid flush.

The book does not give a capacity(or if it does, I can't find it).

How many bottles of 500ml will I need?

1, 2, 3?

It's been a long time since I needed to do a full flush, so I am not sure and don't want to overstock, but I don't want to be caught short either.

1 is plenty, but buy 2 anyway. lol

Use an old syringe (or from a chemist) to suck out all the fluid in the master cylinder, then use some clean fluid to forcibly squirt the layer of grot on the bottom, suck up some more, repeat if needed. Make sure it is clean before you bleed, no point sending grot down the lines.

. . . and if you really want to go OCD on the brakes, or if you find lots of grot in the master cylinder, pop out the caliper pistons and clean them out too. (I always do this with a "new" car if it is close to 200,000 km, improves the brakes no end.)

Don't forget to lube the slide pins.

How far you go with this job is up to you and your level of confidence/experience, really.

Thanks, I was leaning towards 2.

Max, would you need to buy a resealing kit if you take out the piston from the brakes calipers?
What kind of improvement is there cleaning the piston out?

I recently bled my KJ2 and to be honest feel like the brakes aren't as responsive as they should be with new pads/rotors.
But I also noticed it takes more pressure on the brake pedal to keep the car stationary at traffic lights so I think the brake pads are not the strongest (Ferodo TQ)

Max, would you need to buy a resealing kit if you take out the piston from the brakes calipers?
What kind of improvement is there cleaning the piston out?


I've done the pop-the-pistons-out on a few cars with high Km on the speedo, and have never had to replace any of the rubber bits.
If you find you need some, like the outer boot on the piston which can get torn, look at a shop that do brakes like ABS or similar and nag them to get a kit in. (The bloke behind the counter may sulk, as it is obvious you are doing your own brake work, and they would prefer if they did it for you).

Improvements? Well, seeing the calliper bore is the lowest part of the brake system, rubber wear debris tends to collect there, and can interfere with piston movement. If you find a lot in the bottom of the master cylinder, there will also be a lot in the calliper bores.
Brakes are more progressive afterwards and easier to keep near the point of lockup on a non ABS car, and the pistons retract quicker away from the disc when you take the foot off the brake pedal.

(probably not a big difference, but ever since my Sigma days, I'm a bit OCD on brakes. The rear proportioning valve used to clog up = no rear brakes - and one piston seized. Discovered this on a wet road, hit the brakes for a red light, one wheel locked up, the others did nothing, I ended up in the middle of the intersection. Fortunately, Magna brakes are a lot better designed.)

@ leadfoot6, you're welcome.

The best braking I've ever experienced in a magna is in my old AWD with QFM pads all round. Think they were QFM HPX pads, or QFM HD.. whatever Mal sold me.

Anyway, they pulled that thing up on a dime.

Thanks.

More excellent feedback.

The best braking I've ever experienced in a magna is in my old AWD with QFM pads all round. Think they were QFM HPX pads, or QFM HD.. whatever Mal sold me.

Anyway, they pulled that thing up on a dime.

How dusty were these?
And what was pedal feel like?

How dusty were these?
And what was pedal feel like?

Pedal bit really hard. Hardest I've ever felt in any other magna. They were pretty touchy brakes before I changed them over though but got even more so afterwards.

Not much dust to speak of.