Is it a bad idea to go with a set of ceramic pads over the oem pads for a sedan? The oem pads have lasted maybe 15k each time and I'm considering going with a premium ceramic pad (due to the dust) that your typical autoparts store sells. Is this a bad idea? I'm going to have the oem rotors turned.

 

I like the Hawk HPS - great pads, no dust and a little more linear feel when you apply the brakes.

 

I had a typo in my original post... What I meant to say is that I plan to go with an avg quality ceramic pad from my local auto part store.

 

I'll have to agree. For 12 years my daily driver was a Mercedes 560SEC, and my wife's is a SAAB 9-5. I'm also familiar with the Audi RS-6 and Mercedes E series. Compared to those four, the stock G35 pads are grabby and hard to modulate.

I installed the Hawk HPS and while the onset of braking is still quicker than I am used used to, the amount of braking is easier to modulate -- as you say, "more linear." It feels more like the RS-6 than the other three.

As far as the claims I have seen that the sudden grab of the G35 is by design, and that it saves 22 to 44 feet, I beg to disagree. Grabbing the nearest reference I have, the October 2007 Road & Track, I find that:

1) Their brake test of the G37 Sport Coupe gave 60 - 0 MPH in 121 feet.

2) Of the seven Audis tested, four stopped in less distance (111 to 119 feet), one was tied at 121, and two took longer (122 and 130 feet).

3) Of the eight BMWs tested, all stopped in less distance (114 to 120).

4) Of the three Mazdas tested, one tied at 121 and two took less (114, 115).

5) Of the four Pontiacs tested, two took more (126, 128) and two took less (114, 120).

6) Of the four Volvos tested, two longer (130, 123), one tie, one shorter (120).

It looks to me like the G35/37 has very competent brakes, but 22 to 44 feet better is not a realistic assumption.

I cannot yet judge the amount of brake dust on the wheels, too early to tell. Based on the same pad compound on the 560SEC, there will be less dust.

 

If you're worried about the brake dust dont get the Ceramic Axxis Ultimates. Great pad for a mix of track events / daily driving but very dusty.

 

I'm using a typical autoparts store (Canadian Tire here in Quebec) Monroe Ceramic Brake Pads. They are definetely less dusty but also less grabby compared to OEM. Since I'm not tracking or anything, they're fine for daily use. They're also less harsh on my rotors.


Sc.

 

For some reason i experience little to no brake dust with my stock breaks at all with 17k miles on it

 

good to hear... yes, this an all stock daily driver, and I don't care about losing some of the grabbiness.

 

121 feet for the G37, that kind of suck! Since the older generation G35s are known to get 110 to 112ft from magazine reviewers.

 

+1
I have those on my BBK right now and they are super dusty. Going back to Hawk HPS as soon as I get my order in.

 

I also like the Hawk HPS pads. On my second set right now.

 

What rotors do you run with the Hawk Pads? Also, is the brake install pretty straight forward or is there something goofy I need to be ready for? I'm trying to find a DIY thread, but haven't had much luck thus far. I've done many brake jobs, but never on an infiniti.

 

I'm running Hawks on OEM rotors for my fronts (kept the stock pads and OEM rotors on the rears). The pad install is pretty straightforward like any other brake job. Nothing out of the ordinary except I would probably say a couple things:

- Turn the wheel you're working on towards you so that you have more room to remove the bolts from the caliper.
- The new brake pads must be installed in only one way (you can see it when you compare with the old pads ready to be removed) and are held on by metal clips attached to the brake assembly.
- To push the piston back into the caliper, I would use the old brake pad as an interface between the C-clamp and the piston. Watch the brake fluid as you work the piston (don't forget to loosen the brake fluid cover and place rags around beforehand!)

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Probably because your car is newer than an '04. Some of the '05's and all of the '04's and older have horrible brake dust.