poll on oem pads

[3Q Jay]

66u91 or 64u93? searched and read the posts i could find, Joe has both.

u91 are the 'default' pads in their parts lookup system, and some speak of the 'new' u91 being better than the old.

still, tech counters that u93 contain the most ceramic and quietest.

what are you running?

[maxnix]

Probably default on Stillen Brembos in front. Love them.

[ceningolmo]

Will the Brembo rotors still fit the stock wheels? I know Wes discussed a brake upgrade, but a larger wheel was necessary to fit them.

Since I will need to purchase new pads and rotors all around in the next couple of weeks, I thought now would be a good time to ask.

[Rex]

Will the Brembo rotors still fit the stock wheels? I know Wes discussed a brake upgrade, but a larger wheel was necessary to fit them.

Since I will need to purchase new pads and rotors all around in the next couple of weeks, I thought now would be a good time to ask.

Aftermarket "replacement" rotors w/ the stock calipers will not require wheels fitment issues.

Wes' Z32 upgrade to larger rotors and calipers require more clearance.

I can't recall the "dustiest" OEM pad #, but that's the one you want by far, IMHO.

[PoorManQ45]

Since I will need to purchase new pads and rotors all around in the next couple of weeks, I thought now would be a good time to ask.

Psst... Psst.. Hey you, come here, come here. I've got something to show you *looks around suspiciously*

Try your local Advanced Auto parts store for rotors and pads. On one of the higher levels they'll offer a LIFETIME warranty. This even covers normal wear and tear.

[ceningolmo]

WOW Thanks <much too loudly>... umm... <whisper> I mean, thanks. I will try to keep that on the down-low.

[Q451990]

Lifetime Warranty = Hard Pad CompoundHard Pad Compound = Longer Stopping Distance

Dusty and short lifespan is good when it comes to brake pads...

Heath

[Rex]

Harder pads do = longer pad life, at the cost of longer stopping distances and more wear on the rotor ... the brake pad manufacturer isn't worried about the rotor wear, they're only backing their pads .

I'll take soft dusty fast wearing pads for better stopping and longer rotor life any day.

Pay now or pay later.

[Aus94Q45]

I have OEM's on mine -- costs more and life it shorter, but the brakes are great. Two friends have tried aftermarket pads and hated them. Stopping distance increased -- not as grippy. They both went back to OEM despite the cost difference. The after markets also had issues with the brakewear sensor. Not worth saving $40 for the PIA with the sensor the poor performance.

[PoorManQ45]

the brake pad manufacturer isn't worried about the rotor wear, they're only backing their pads .

The rotors have a lifetime warranty on them TOO!

[Q45tech]

Based on experience with old U90, old U91, Metal Matrix, new U91 and new U93.

All in all I like the U93 better............quiet, easy on rotors [longer time between warps] adequate for mountain driving.

The last two pads have been U93, but then I change them every year [<30k].

With the rear U85 the challenge is selecting a front pad match:equal attack at equal application speeds so that both wear at the exact same rate so you can do front and rear on the same day not wasting too much friction material. Always a pain when one wears differently thus 2 trips to shop instead of just one longer visit.

Lots will vary with driving style and local traffic.........applications per mile?

[Rex]

The rotors have a lifetime warranty on them TOO!

Rotors bought from them do, but what about the rotors already on my car, that will now wear at a faster rate due to their "Lifetime" pads??

Also, (aside from time and effort) is there any "adjustment" made for the time/miles they were used? I know even 50,000 mile tires aren't replaced completly and free of charge if they don't last 50k.

Also (part 2), your longer lasting is going to be lesser performance or more stopping distance, is it worth it?

[ceningolmo]

I am not sure if stopping distance is a major factor for me... I don't drive my car hard.

The lifetime warranty is appealing to me, though, because I am going to replace all 4 rotors and pads at the same time. So, if I get lifetime warranty on the whole thing that may prevent a lot of future cost. Even if I am still checking them once per year... if the company is absorbing at least a portion of the cost it seems like that would be a pretty good deal.

[elwesso]

Ross I will not allow you to put on cheap rotors and pads..... NEVER! Brakes are one of the most important things in my book, and I will not tolerate less than stellar brakes... Right now your brakes are adequate, and you will be making them (by using cheap pads and rotors) adequate minus the warped rotors.....

OEM pads are like $80 for all 4 corners (8 pads total), and they will last 20k if you drive like me, and up to twice as long if you never do any 80-0 commando stops.....

Besides, most "lifetime" warranties do not cover wear... Read into the fine print..! they wont replace your rotors because they are warped.. Pads that hard will literally dig into the rotor before they wear the pad.. NOT good, the pads are designed to wear, not the rotor...

I have a little less tolerance for rotors than I do for pads... If you want to get some ebay rotors, that doesnt bother me, it just means youll have to replace them sooner if they dont have the same mass. The ABSOLUTE CHEAPEST pad I can stand is OEM.. Great life, good quality, good stopping, all that for a reasonable price.... Then you can upgrade or change selection based on your driving habits. FOr most Q drivers, OEM pads will be perfect... FOr someone like me who likes to violate the brakes, i may go for a hawk HPS pad, or something that has a higher median heat range.....

Anyway, if you arent willing to pay for the simple things on the Q (fluids, brakes, tires, etc) then just go ahead and get rid of the car and give it to someone who will pay... Its not like this stuff is outrageous, im on a limited income and have never come to any snaffeus...

I absolutely CRINGE (CRINGE) at the thought of someone using fanboy cheap pads and rotors on a Q, MUCH LESS an active Q45.....

My ranting is now over.

[elwesso]

Also just wanted to point out that right now I have cheap pads on my Q right now with Z32 brakes... The Z32 brakes should have 2x the clamping torque as the stock Q brakes have, however the stopping distance is probably just the same as stock (40-0 is probably longer)... Not to mention after only 5-7k I can feel a shimmy in the brake pedal (warped)..

Ive actually heard rumors that rotors never technically warp.. when you use OEM or worse pads, the "warped" feeling is caused by the pad material sticking and piling up on the surface ofthe rotor... that is why you have to have them cut, to literally cut the excess crap off the rotor, that has been baked on... Not sure on the truth of that, but it would explain why many people who have hawk HPS pads or something similar to it dont go through rotors as easy.

So im using a caliper that is 2x as strong, however I am not getting the results i should due to the fact that I dont have good pads.....

Hawk HPS will be installed next spring.

[Rex]

I am not sure if stopping distance is a major factor for me... I don't drive my car hard.

The lifetime warranty is appealing to me, though, because I am going to replace all 4 rotors and pads at the same time. So, if I get lifetime warranty on the whole thing that may prevent a lot of future cost. Even if I am still checking them once per year... if the company is absorbing at least a portion of the cost it seems like that would be a pretty good deal.

It's not about HARD driving it's about everyday driving. Have you ever, ever stopped just short of anything ... it's very possible that in the same situation with cheap pads rotors, it would ahve taken 3, 5 or even 10 feet more to stop. Was there that much distance left, before you would have hit something?

I was very happy to see someone already made this point .

... I will not allow you to put on cheap rotors and pads..... NEVER! Brakes are one of the most important things in my book, and I will not tolerate less than stellar brakes... Right now your brakes are adequate, and you will be making them (by using cheap pads and rotors) adequate minus the warped rotors ...

[Jesda]

I cringe when I have to pay more than $30 for a set of pads for the Q.

See why I bought a Maxima?

[texasoil]

Clarity:: Brake rotors DO warp sometimes--uneven lug tightening, dirt behind the wheel on the hub, water splashed on hot rotors at slow speed, or just really hot hot rotors not cooled down while driving.

Its also true that 'friction material' will build up unevenly on rotors if new pads are not properly 'bedded in' and moderately hard stops made occasionally to 'burnish up' the friction surface. All in all, brake friction material and hrdware (pads, shims, heat shields,fastners,clips & rotors) CAN be a major expense on a Q45 if one really uses the brakes hard. However, a single 'panic stop' that is one foot too long can cost a life or may thousands of dollars. Some 'long wearing' or 'low dust' pads have very poor 'cold stop' friction, and you have to really stand on them HARD to stop quickly when they are cold. Not safe in town driving or cold climates for sure. I have been EXTREMELY pleased with Bendix 'ceramic' pads that a specialty shop put on the front of my 94Q45a. Low dust, smooth finish on light stops-easy to feather, excellent cold and hot friction(no difference I can tell) and long life. The rotors look beautiful too--not worn, scored, or funny colored. Cost about same as OEM pads, but better IMHO.

[maxnix]

I am not sure if stopping distance is a major factor for me... I don't drive my car hard.

Glad you are prescient and can avoid all emergencies!

Listen to Wes, and read the previous threads. A couple of great ones on brakes with very convincing posts with data and references by Q45tech.

[maxnix]

I cringe when I have to pay more than $30 for a set of pads for the Q.

See why I bought a Maxima?

Er....not really.

[elwesso]

Good information keith... See thats one reason that I went with Z32 brakes.. I can get a full setup (rotors and pads and new shims) for under $400.. Everything is so cheap compared to the stock stuff. Plus i cna get the shims and clips at most auto parts stores.....

People dont have to listen to the advice here... however, youll be wishing you had that extra foot (maybe even 6inches!) after you total your already worthless Q45.. Not trying to be detremental or anything, but even a minor fender bender may total your Q- thus making all your hard work and money worthless...

Dont ask me how I know about wasting money and then wrecking a Q.. Fortunately it wasnt my fault.....

[ceningolmo]

Will the brakes from a Nissan Maxima fit on my Q? Because, my neighbor has a Maxima... and he leaves for long weekends in his SUV, leaving the Maxima behind.

Maybe I could just steal the rotors and pads from his car one weekend... thus avoiding the cost, and the possibility of poor performance. I wonder how long it would take him to notice they were gone?

Or, maybe I should continue entertaining the idea of cheap brake components just to see who will have an annurism first. Wes, Rex, and Maxnix? My money is on Wes... after the time and effort he has already put in to my car, he may kill me.

[ceningolmo]

I am prescient and can avoid all emergencies... you can't? Its a Jedi mind trick.

[Rex]

Just take the whole Maxima???

I don't think cheap bads are bad perse, I think hard bads are bad, they compromise the breaking distance and cheap does not necessarily equal hard.

[ceningolmo]

Wes... you ever wonder to yourself "what in the hell was I thinking offering to help this guy?"

Hah... sorry I suck! But, I am learning. Ocassionally it requires some verbal abuse. You may actually have to give me a beating on occassion. But, I will pick this stuff up eventually.

[elwesso]

Or I will completely cut you off...

You also would have to assume that he may use cheap pads, thus making it a waste of time... That would be an ALL time low.. Pillaging someone elses most likely used and worn brakes.. you better do a recon mission first to see if the brakes are worth it!!!

If your going to put cheap brakes on just let me know and I wont waste my time anymore...... Youll just be another one of "those" Q owners....Completely understandable why you would be that way, the car is essentially useless, you can hardly give them away....... some people just seem to forget what it actually is...

Ive bene doing some thinking and I think im going to reorganize your priority list..... I was just thinking since the old dude you bought the car from only took it to the dealer, they proabbly used OEM pads.. I wonder how much life is left on them, remind me to check them..... Possible they need to be violated real good..... to bed them in..... Not sure.

[ceningolmo]

He's not real sharp... but, I am pretty sure he will notice if the whole car is missing. Especially if it is parked in my driveway.

However, if I run off with his brake pads and rotors... well, I don't think he will notice that... at least, not until it is too late.

[elwesso]

He can still use his parking brake to stop......

[ceningolmo]

Not sure how old they are... but, I know I stood on the brakes pretty hard about 2 days ago. I took it from about 75 MPH down to about 20MPH in short distance. And, the car did slow down in time... but, it shook HARD while I was doing the hardest braking. I definately questioning how much damage I was doing to the components.

On the other hand... I took the car up to about 100 MPH on the highway today and it was rock solid. Then I remembered the chain guides and quickly resumed "grandpa mode".

[elwesso]

grandpa mode... classic!

Actually, its really good to violate the brakes on occasion... I had REALLY warped and aweful brakes on my old Q (the brakes were literally almost down to the backs, but the car died briefly before i was going to buy the pads and rotors).. anywho, i found that after a few 80-0 stops the car would shake much less.. might try it.....