Aftermarket rotors and pads

[Avalanche325]

I am approching 40K miles and like every Japanese car I have owned, the rotors are warped. I went through the hassle of turning my QX4 rotors only to have them warp again the first time I used a harsh word in the car. I replaced them with Brembo rotors and never had another issue. So I was thinking of doing the same on my EX.

I looked on the Brembo site and EX35 is not listed. Are our rotors the same as another model? G35 coupe or sedan maybe?

Any reccomendations on pads? I have used Hawk and GreenStuff in the past. Both with good results.

Or has anyone else put other aftermarket rotors on that they like?

Thanks,

[sashki2]

Interesting... I wouldn't think the issue is particular to Japanese cars

[EXceptional]

There seems to be a consensus that warped Rotors are caused by over-torquing the Lug-nuts... but I have also seen people that drive and brake hard, get warped Rotors, too.

Check out this Thread >>> post5599612.html

[Avalanche325]

I always use a torque wrench on lug nuts. So no over or under torquing here. That being said, I bought used, so it may have had a Gorilla tight impact wrench used in the past. I sometimes drive hard, but not abusive.

They are just warped a little, just enough that I can feel it when stopping. Honestly, a lot of people would not even notice.

I have never had a warped German, Italian, or American car rotor. I should clarify to be fair. I have only owned Nissan / Infiniti as far as Japanese cars go. From what I have seen and heard, Nissan products are particularrly prone to warping. I even ran into a web site where people are threatening Infinti with a class action law suit about their brakes, new rotors needed at 15,000 miles, etc.

Thanks for the other thread. I will have a look at Tire Rack.

[Avalanche325]

After looking around I have come up with:

1. EBC. They are the makers of GreenStuff, RedStuff, etc.
2. Stillen. Great for exhausts and intakes. Has anyone here used their rotors?
3. Other brands that I know nothing about.

Anyone?...........Anyone?...........Bueller?

[TimGinCentralNJ]

I am approching 40K miles and like every Japanese car I have owned, the rotors are warped. I went through the hassle of turning my QX4 rotors only to have them warp again the first time I used a harsh word in the car. I replaced them with Brembo rotors and never had another issue. So I was thinking of doing the same on my EX.

I looked on the Brembo site and EX35 is not listed. Are our rotors the same as another model? G35 coupe or sedan maybe?

Any reccomendations on pads? I have used Hawk and GreenStuff in the past. Both with good results.

Or has anyone else put other aftermarket rotors on that they like?

Thanks,

Big fan of Akebono pads although I haven't looked to see if they make them for EX35s or not.

Tim

[zarar]

I just replaced my front and rear pads at 15,400 miles, probably a lot sooner the most people have, I didn't want to cut my existing rotors. The way I drive, I would be looking to replace them in a matter of months with my city commute if I had cut them. I installed Premium R1 Concept Rotors and Ceramic Pads, they are on the cheaper side compared to others but they stop a lot better than my factory setup. For the price, I was really happy. Warranty against warping for a year, they were on sale for the front and rear set (front rotors/pads & rear rotors and pads) for $399 shipped and installed them myself. About 400 miles on them and no problems, so far I am satisfied and happy for the price.

[TimGinCentralNJ]

I just replaced my front and rear pads at 15,400 miles, probably a lot sooner the most people have, I didn't want to cut my existing rotors. The way I drive, I would be looking to replace them in a matter of months with my city commute if I had cut them. I installed Premium R1 Concept Rotors and Ceramic Pads, they are on the cheaper side compared to others but they stop a lot better than my factory setup. For the price, I was really happy. Warranty against warping for a year, they were on sale for the front and rear set (front rotors/pads & rear rotors and pads) for $399 shipped and installed them myself. About 400 miles on them and no problems, so far I am satisfied and happy for the price.

Good info to know.

I've noticed a very minor vibration from my front rotors during light braking, so I'm not far behind. I've never been a fan of cutting rotors either, personally; in most cases it really does seem like it only buys you a few more months, and since I do brakes myself--I'd rather not be doing them again so soon. I'd rather just get new rotors/pads and be good for the next few years.

Would you happen to have a link to the supplier you bought from? That's a great price for all four corners.

Pls keep us posted on how they hold up.

Rgds,
Tim

[zarar]

Official Site: http://www.r1concepts.com/

They offer varies types of rotors: Drilled Only, Drilled/Slotted & Slotted Only. I purchased mine on eBay, at the time they were on sale for 4th of July. Still prices seem to be really good compared to others.

They have different types they sell depending on the level of braking, I chose performance because I am hard on my brakes. You can also go with their E-Line Rotors which I have installed on my Honda Crosstour which is just as good (and definitely a big step up from factory), just one level below their Performance but a lot cheaper (still better than factory stopping power). If your interested in OE replacement, they also offer normal blank rotors which are a lot cheaper and if you don't like the drilled or slotted style rotors and you do normal braking.

All these listings Include Front and Rear Rotors + Pads. They have different combinations, you can check their website but I think you might find it a little cheaper on eBay, both come from the same location and company.

E-Line Blank: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ELINE-FA ... 422wt_1170 ($243.99)

PREMIUM Blank Style Rotors: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PREMIUM- ... 110wt_1170 ($434.99, blank styled but premium designed for heavier braking, for this price you might as well go with drill/slotted since it the same price)

E-Line Drill-Slotted: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ELINE-FA ... 422wt_1170 ($243.99 shipped, I think one of the best factory replacements, Installed on my Honda Crosstour. You can choose also slotted only or drilled only depending on your preference but I HIGHLY Recommend these in my personal opinion, they are just as good as the Premiums.)

Premium Drill-Slotted:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PREMIUM- ... 500wt_1170 ($522.99 shipped, the pricest ones they sell, but are high grade and can handle heavier braking.)

Will keep you posted on how they hold, no complaints on either of my installs as of yet. Before purchasing I spent quite a lot time researching them, if you look into it, they have really good reviews/feedback.

[TimGinCentralNJ]

Zarar-

Well, I just pulled the trigger on a set of from and rear e-Line slotted rotors and ceramic pads for $297.00 shipped.

I've got a slight shimmy up front and saw in the service records the front rotors have already been cut once--and the back pads are at 3MM thickness, so if I'm going to have all 4 wheels off anyway, might as well do the whole shebang! For under 300 beans, how can you beat that?

Appreciate the lead and all the information.

Tim

[TimGinCentralNJ]

Well, I got my new rotors and pads last week from R1 Concepts and threw 'em on. They're great so far--and the brakes on the EX are probably the easiest to do yourself out of any of the cars I've owned. Took me only a couple of hours. I went with the E-line slotted rotors and ceramic pads.....cost me under $300.00 shipped. The guys there are great to deal with and bent over backwards to make sure I got the goods as soon as possible. Definitely recommend.

Will update on how they hold up once I've logged some more miles on them.

[zarar]

I've put on about a good 1,000+ miles on then since my install and still have no complaints, I love them especially for the price. Feels too good to be true, usually I'm over paying for even low end quality brake replacements for twice the cost of these.

[Avalanche325]

That is good to know there are some other options. Please keep the reports on the R1 stuff coming.

The EBC rotors are dimpled instead of drilled which is supposed to still give the cooling and degassing without the stress crack issue. Man, there are some flame wars out there on the blank vs slotted vs drilled vs dimpled thing.

I can say this, I am travelling right now and have a Hundai SantaFe with 5000 miles as a rental. The stock 42,000 mile EX35 brakes are many times better.

[ANBYOND]

Interesting... I wouldn't think the issue is particular to Japanese cars

Agreed. I've had it happen with all different makes, American, Japanese and even Austrailian. Mine are starting to warp at only 13k miles..

[TimGinCentralNJ]

I do recall back in the '80s each of the Hondas we had did tend to eat brake rotors quickly....but I don't think I've heard of premature rotor warping on any make car/truck since then....until now. I bought my '08 EX with 50k miles on it, and according to the service records the rear rotors had just been cut, but they were already starting to warp again. The orig owner (a friend of mine) is a very mild driver, which makes me thinks the stock brakes on these cars are a bit of an anomaly in how quickly they wear/warp....not to mention the OEM replacement parts (even if you plan on installing yourself) are ridiculously expensive. Higher than BMW in fact.

So, I'm glad I was pointed in the direction of R1 Concepts. Even if they were to last only as long as the OEM brakes, given that they're significantly less expensive, I would still consider myself "ahead of the game".

Tim