Brakes and Rotors for EX35

[koza75]

Can someone please recommend the best brakes and rotors for 2008 EX35? To me "the best" would be the ones that can last the longest with performance, noise reduction, anti-dust capability..etc being secondary (but all obviously important enough as well) Thanks a lot in advance!

[Teknical]

I would also like to know this. I need to do this within the next few days before a big trip. I didn't know there were options. I was just going to go with OEM from the dealership. I have the original break pads on the car with 85,000 miles. They keep telling me they're fine?!

[NJGuy]

Can someone please recommend the best brakes and rotors for 2008 EX35? To me "the best" would be the ones that can last the longest with performance, noise reduction, anti-dust capability..etc being secondary (but all obviously important enough as well) Thanks a lot in advance!

I thought that in most cases (at least for the big 3 Japanese automakers), the OEM brakes were the option that fit your description as the "best".

For aftermarket pads, I've always preferred the Akebono ProACT pads. I've found that they perform just like OEM, if not better. I like them because they do well in all aspects (stopping, longevity, noise, dust, etc), and also because they cost less than the OEM pads.

As for aftermarket rotors I don't think I could narrow it down to any one single brand or product to endorse, as I've used several different brands on my other cars. The last set I bought were the plain Centric rotors with the black painted hat. I've also used the Raybestos Advance Technology rotors and Napa brand premium (at the time they were the same as Raybestos professional grade) rotors. I haven't had any issues with any of these. Again, they all cost less than OEM.

I'd say that for rotors, you should be fine as long as you avoid buying the 'budget' line of some brand nobody has ever heard of and probably can't go wrong with the premium line of a recognized aftermarket brake manufacturer. You may know this already, but stay away from the slotted/drilled rotors and stick with the standard rotor blanks if you're looking for longevity.

[koza75]

Hi NJ guy!
Thank you very much for the detailed response! I'll look into your recommendations. My front OEM brakes lasted me 15,000 miles before dealer was nice enough to replace them for free under warranty. But now I need to replace them again at 43,000 as they are worn out. My back OEM brakes as well as front and back OEM rotors need to be replaced now at 43,000. Most of my miles are highway miles and I am no longer an aggressive driver...at least not last 10 years or so So my impression of EX35 OEM rotors and especially brakes as far as longevity goes is not that great....That's why I was looking for some after market parts that can last longer. Thanks again!

[NJGuy]

Hi NJ guy!
Thank you very much for the detailed response! I'll look into your recommendations. My front OEM brakes lasted me 15,000 miles before dealer was nice enough to replace them for free under warranty. But now I need to replace them again at 43,000 as they are worn out. My back OEM brakes as well as front and back OEM rotors need to be replaced now at 43,000. Most of my miles are highway miles and I am no longer an aggressive driver...at least not last 10 years or so So my impression of EX35 OEM rotors and especially brakes as far as longevity goes is not that great....That's why I was looking for some after market parts that can last longer. Thanks again!

No problem.

Keep in mind that the EX doesn't exactly have a good reputation for brake wear. While an aftermarket solution may yield slower brake wear, at the same time I wouldn't expect the brake life to multiply.

Also note that you can possibly find brake pads that are designed for long life, but there would very likely be some trade-offs with the other properties you mentioned.

After you get your brakes done, please follow up on this thread (or the "What did you buy for you EX this week?" thread) and let us know what you decided to go with.

[Teknical]

The ex doesn't have a good reputation for break wear? At 86k miles I just replaced the original break pads. Got the pads all around replaced and front rotors replaced with an oil change for $1100 after a 10% off coupon was applied.

[NJGuy]

The ex doesn't have a good reputation for break wear? At 86k miles I just replaced the original break pads.

ok, let me rephrase that then. "On this forum, most of those who have posted their experience with their EX's brake life indicated that the brakes have worn more quickly than they expected." Sound better?

[XIS]

Not sure if my pads were changed before I go the car at 30K, but I now have 54K and have not yet changed the pads.

[meanie]

I have 36k on my 2011 and according to the dealer the brakes are starting to show some wear, but aren't near replacement levels yet.

[AWGD8]

BRaKe wear really depends on the driver (Tailgaters, last sec. break at the stop light etc..,) plus the location he/she normally drives. I also believe that the VSD wears the brake if you drive aggressively from stop light or during turns. Maybe I am wrong?

City driving tends to wear off the pads quicker than rural driving. Mine was replaced at 45K miles.... Lesser city driving.

[koza75]

After some research I ended up getting the following from the autopartswarehouse.com

Centric Premium Break Disks (Front):
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/searc ... =0&submit=

Centric Premium Break Disks (Back):
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/searc ... =0&submit=

Centric Front brakes:
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/searc ... =0&submit=

Centric Back brakes:
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/searc ... =0&submit=

Total including free shipping, no tax and a discount that I got over the phone simply for asking: $261

My mechanic will charge me about $300 to install everything. $561 for everything - I think not bad, provided that I got what I wanted based on the research and not what was "available" at the local shop or $1250 that was offered to me by my dealership (and I am not even too crazy about EX35 OEM brakes anyway). What do you guys think?

[EXceptional]

Nice information... is anybody able to post the full TSB for the front brakes?

All I found are these, which then requires a subscription to see the rest of it.

Subject: SB Infiniti; Brake Noise/Judder/Pedal Feel Diagnosis and Repair
Summary of ITB00024:
SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake issues fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel, or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake issue based on the description in the Service Information above. 3. Follow the appropriate repair procedure(s), listed on the following pages, for your specific issue. See this bulletin for further details.


Subject: SB Infiniti; On-Car Brake Rotor Resurfacing
Summary of ITB04038:
If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and follow the tips listed in this bulletin. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe has been chosen as the approved tool for rotor resurfacing. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe can be ordered from TECH-MATE at 1-800-662-2001. - ProCut technical support or service can be obtained by calling 1-800-543-6618. NOTE: Brake rotors may need to be resurfaced during routine brake repair or for brake "judder" incidents. - Brake judder: A brake pedal pulsation and/or steering wheel shimmy when braking that occurs when there is too much thickness variation of the brake rotors(see ITB00-024). See this bulletin for further detail.


Subject: SB EX35; Brake Judder
Summary of ITB10009:
IF YOU CONFIRM: While braking, especially when braking at highway speeds: -the steering wheel shakes -and/or the body vibrates -and/or the brake pedal pulsates (also known as "Brake Judder"). ACTIONS: 1.Remove the front brake calipers and rotors.2.Install the new front brake splash guard assemblies (backing plates). 3.Inspect the front brake rotors to determine if resurfacing is possible or if replacement is necessary. 4.Reinstall the front brake calipers. 5.Inspect the brake pads and caliper hardware, and replace only as necessary. See this bulletin for further detail.