Brake Pads, again....

[skid542]

Well I've decided I need to do something about the brake biasing of my car now. It's too far back as in the back wheels lock first. In straight line light to heavy braking this really isn't much of an issue. However, I live in the mountains and we don't have many straight roads and I would like to get my margin of safety back some. Being in the middle of a hard turn while some essentially yanks the e-brake makes things exciting to say the least, believe me.... (and yes I've been testing the limits of these brakes in a safe hazard free area, not in the middle of traffic)
I want to keep the Mintex 1115 pads on the rears as they have a great bite and feel so that leaves me with upgrading the front pads. Right now I have some of the Autozone lifetime warrenty pads on. I've done some searching and seen a lot of recommendations for Bobcats and Axxis, as well as Hawks and Mintex. However I don't think I'll be able to find NA front pads if the turbo fronts are hard to find to begin with. I'd also like to avoid throwing down 80-100 dollars for a couple pads. Any recommendations, all the threads I was coming across were all for turbo or WRX brakes. Thanks.

[professor]

I've run the Axis/PBR Metal Masters for many years on several different vehicles, with great results. They don't seem to bite rotors too bad, they are very low dusting, and give good pad life, and usually cost under $50. And basically never squeal as long as you coat the back sides liberally with the blue Permatex anti-squeal stuff.

Make sure there is no air in your front calipers, that'll ruin your balance, quick.

[skid542]

Thanks Prof for the suggestion. I'm assuming these are available for the NA caliper? Also, any recommendations for where to buy some if I go that route?

My brake system is in good shape. I bleed all the lines and replaced all the fluid last friday. The lines are in good.

[professor]

$33 right here...

http://www.importrp.com/catalog.php?sub ... bcat_id=10

make sure thay are metal masters, that's what the picture shows but do ask.

[skid542]

Awesome. Now to pinch a few more pennies, thanks.

[BAC5.2]

Carbotech Bobcats.

Expensive. Available only for WRX front brakes and turbo legacy rears, but really really good.

I'd suggest a front WRX setup.

[skid542]

I don't want to go to a WRX front, I want to keep my 15's for a multitude of reasons. I am completely happy with the stopping power I have now and the balance is so much better that I'd rather have increased balance than increased power. For right now I can't really afford to even upgrade the front to turbo so for now it's either put a more aggressive pad up front or less in the back and I like my back.

I think I'm going to get these Axis and with them only being $33 I might be able to replace or turn the one rotor that probably should but isn't critical, just grooving and not warping. It'll be a few days till I'd be able to order anything so I'm still open to suggestions.

[evolutionmovement]

I had basically the same brakes as you and the stock brakes can stop really well with some good pads and proper maintenance. I've been in new cars that could dream of braking as well as these old things. The WRX fronts are almost too much unless you get wider than 205 or really sticky tires. They don't lock instantly, but they do require more thought as they will lock if you don't feel them out. Of course, I don't have ABS.

Steve

[93Leg-c]

So. Steve, will the front wrx brakes lock up at highway speeds if the driver stomped on the brakes (w/ RE-92s and no ABS)?

[skid542]

My current fronts will lock if you really slam the brakes. I know because I had to do that once when a lady continued to merge all the way into the left lane where I was. They locked at 65mph, granted I mean I slammed the brakes. I have no doubts that they still will lock. However Steve does make a good point about the wider tires and I'm sure my fronts wouldn't lock a 215. I however don't plan on going up to a 215 so it's a non-issue for me.

[evolutionmovement]

They will lock on the highway, but you can feel the threshhold, so you can control them. I think I flat spotted my right front braking hard from 80 to 40 and hitting some sand on that side.

Steve

[93Leg-c]

Thanks guys!