[Subemaniac]

I'm getting close to needing new brakes and was wondering what the latest consenus is for the best pads for an 08 OBXT. Of course the dealer recommends stock, but I would like to increase stopping power. Are the Hawk pads the best and what are the tradeoffs? Also, are the some SS brakelines available that that will fit? I'm thinking that might help with the sponge feeling. Thanks!

 

[cardoc]

Akebono, Bosch or Tokico

 

[Subemaniac]

No Hawk HPS?

 

[Performance Suby]

I use Centric Stoptechs, and ATE blue brake fluid. My brakes feel great.

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

No Hawk HPS?

plenty of people like their hawks, as well as many other brands.

sponginess might be due to air in the system, not often associated with inferior pads. i had some inferior pads for a while on the wife's outback - scary loooong stopping distances but not really spongy. running Centric PosiQuiet Ceramic now, they are great. If you are hard on brakes, you may notice improvement with a master cylinder brace and new or stainless braided hoses.

one of the best 'values' in upgraded pads is StopTech Street Performance. higher MOT than hawk and cheaper. I run these on my WRX. There is more dust than stock however.
check KNS brakes or rockauto. I DO think oem (probably akebono) are good, but most any name-brand ceramic will be similar and likely cheaper.

lube everything with a good brake lube after checking for/removing any rust. I use the permatex Ceramic brake lube.

 

[rasterman]

Not very happy with the dust & noise from the hawk hps on my XT. Mind you the stopping power is grand! I just ordered a set of carbotech 1521s, I'll know in a week or two.

 

[Saint J VT]

I replaced all mine (all four corners) with Wagner Ceramic pads I got wholesale where I have a wholesale account at the local automotive store.

Federal-Mogul's Wagner Brake Brand Introduces Advanced Line of Ceramic Brake Pads: aftermarket News

I replaced all four rotors at the same time and all parking brake components in the rear rotor-drums as they were rusted beyond recognition. When I finally managed to pull the rear drums off (even after adjusting them completely inwardly from the back side of the wheel), a bunch of rusted parts fell on the floor with the brake shoe friction pads which had fallen off the shoes.:gasp::17:

Both sides needed the little triangular piece at the top and the left and right strut metals that connect the shoes at around midsection.

 

[cardoc]

I replaced all mine (all four corners) with Wagner Ceramic pads I got wholesale where I have a wholesale account at the local automotive store.

Federal-Mogul's Wagner Brake Brand Introduces Advanced Line of Ceramic Brake Pads: aftermarket News

I replaced all four rotors at the same time and all parking brake components in the rear rotor-drums as they were rusted beyond recognition. When I finally managed to pull the rear drums off (even after adjusting them completely inwardly from the back side of the wheel), a bunch of rusted parts fell on the floor with the brake shoe friction pads which had fallen off the shoes.:gasp::17:

Both sides needed the little triangular piece at the top and the left and right strut metals that connect the shoes at around midsection.

I refer to them as thermo noise. Majority of vehicles I used them on in the past sounded like bus when stopping after the first 500 miles or so. The heat generated by the brakes crystallize the backing and allow the piston to dig in on the interior and caliper on the exterior pads allowing for vibration and noise.

To my knowledge Wagner hasn't corrected the padding.

Whatever you use, be sure it has he metal shims on the pads and replace he bracket hardware. High end pad sets come with the hardware in most cases.

 

[Subemaniac]

Thanks for all the responses and information!

 

[tdelker]

For the record, I installed the Thermoquiet wagners on all 4 corners. I did not install the metal shims on the back per the instructions. I did lube the back with brake grease. They are as quiet as any brakepad I've ever owned. As for stopping power, seems the same as OEM, which is pretty lousy.

Tom

 

[Subemaniac]

Not very happy with the dust & noise from the hawk hps on my XT. Mind you the stopping power is grand! I just ordered a set of carbotech 1521s, I'll know in a week or two.

I would really be interested in what you think about the Carbotech 1521 pads. Seems like they might be better than the Hawk HPS which is something that I was considering. I don't know about ceramic. I'm not looking to deal with temperature issues and I will need to probably tow a UHaul accross country this coming spring. I'm planning on staying with the stock rotors for now.

 

[rasterman]

I would really be interested in what you think about the Carbotech 1521 pads. Seems like they might be better than the Hawk HPS which is something that I was considering. I don't know about ceramic. I'm not looking to deal with temperature issues and I will need to probably tow a UHaul accross country this coming spring. I'm planning on staying with the stock rotors for now.

Looks like we'll both have to wait longer. The shop I ordered them from seems to have gone out of business without shipping my order, so now I need to find another supplier.

Suggestions welcome...

 

[Subemaniac]

Looks like we'll both have to wait longer. The shop I ordered them from seems to have gone out of business without shipping my order, so now I need to find another supplier.

Suggestions welcome...

That's a bummer! I hope they didn't get your $$$ before they closed!

What about KNS? I think they sell them and seem to be recommended by others. I'm also considering the Hawk HPS/Premium Centric rotor package they have. Hey, didn't I say I wanted to stick with stock rotors?

 

[rasterman]

UPDATE:

They didn't go out of business. The dealer I ordered from just has a lousy idea of customer communication. Long story short, santa brought me a set of carbo 1521 pads today. I might wait for warmer weather before I install but it won't be long now.

 

[barkeater]

That's a bummer! I hope they didn't get your $$$ before they closed!

What about KNS? I think they sell them and seem to be recommended by others. I'm also considering the Hawk HPS/Premium Centric rotor package they have. Hey, didn't I say I wanted to stick with stock rotors?

I hope you have a heated garage (or a friend who does).

I use stock on the rear and high performance ceramic on the front. do yourself a solid and install speed bleeders while your at it and bleeding will be so much easier in the future.

I think ss brake lines is a great upgrade and planning on doing it next year.

 

[Subemaniac]

UPDATE:

They didn't go out of business. The dealer I ordered from just has a lousy idea of customer communication. Long story short, santa brought me a set of carbo 1521 pads today. I might wait for warmer weather before I install but it won't be long now.

That's great news! I'll look forward to your review.

Say, does anybody know who makes the factory pads for an 08 OBXT? And what material they are? Are they ceramic?

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

That's great news! I'll look forward to your review.

Say, does anybody know who makes the factory pads for an 08 OBXT? And what material they are? Are they ceramic?

on my 06 WRX they were marked Akebono. not sure what the compound was.

I never looked on the original pads on our 03 Outback.

 

[rasterman]

I just installed the Carbotech 1521s since the weather was well warmer than usual for January.

Well I bedded in the pads and had a short drive. I still get a squeal but only with a LOT of pedal pressure, which is the opposite of what the Hawk HPs did.

The initial bite seems a lot stronger, and the overall feel is a lot more linear. Didn't seem to have quite as much stop when I got them hot and pushed hard though.

I think I introduced some air into the system when I relaxed the caliper pistons because the pedal got a bit mushier. I'll re-bleed and try again.

 

[cardoc]

Brake fade limits friction when the pads get hot and causes the pedal to fade because you've not only limited frictional force but overheated the brake fluid. Did it get soft while bedding the pads? Or was it consistent from the start?

 

[Dogfather]

I put Akebono ceramics on my '09 3.0R. Though I was more interested in quiet and cleanliness over stopping power. The old ones were marked Akebono in front and I believe NPN in the rear. I've been very happy so far.