newbie question about brakes

[cys19]

How do you know if the brake pads you're about buy requires 5 lugs? If yal are confused, I don't know what I'm talking about.

[Silvia007]

95 SE models with abs use the same exact pads as my 93 se without abs. His also have 5 lugs where as mine has only 4. I don't think the lugs would have much if any a deciding factor.

[cys19]

I heard "really good" brake pads need 5 lugs. But how can you tell by just looking at the picture that the brake pads you're looking at needs a 5 lug?

[ricebike]

misinformed... never heard of the brake pad- 4/5 lugs compatability before...

it's all in the materials used for the brake pad linings & what u intend to use the vehicle for...

basically, stick to good-name brands or OEM. I like high end raybestos/ allied/bendix... also saw wagners that have built-in anti squeal shims already installted to the back of the pads.

others will chime in on the more bling-bling compositions of ceramics/ racing pads, which some require a bit of heating/breaking in before they become effective.

[cys19]

so basically what are the 5 lugs better for?

[cdlong]

it makes the wheel/hub stronger. better for bigger, heavier cars. unless you really want certain wheels that only come in five lug, don't worry about it. 4 lug is fine.

[msaskin]

I've got "really good" pads (Hawk HP+) on my car, and I've got 4 lugs.

You need to do some research dude. Having 4 or 5 lugs has absolutely no bearing on what brake pads you run. The number of lugs effects the following:brake rotorswheelshow many lug nuts you need

Think about it...how the hell would having 4 vs. 5 lugs effect brake pads?

To add to it: having 5 lugs means that the load (shearing force i believe) is being distributed over 5 studs instead of just 4. As mentioned above, it makes a difference for bigger/heavier cars. Most manufacturers have switched to 5 lugs on all their cars now for whatever reason...probably just because it's viewed as "better" for no real reason.

~matt

[cys19]

I seeee... Thanks