What grit sandpaper do you use? Circular motion or what? I am probably going to need to replace the pads on my FX soon, but the rotors were just turned less than 10K miles ago under a Brake Shudder TSB at the dealership. Should be no reason to turn them now.

is there a write up about how to replace pads on the G? i've been wanting to do it myself but am very scared i will mess something up.

^ There is a nice DIY write-up in the Tech section of the forum. Go to the link below. With the help of my friend who's a toolman, I changed the front pads to Hawks within an hour, and we did it with the jack that comes with my car, a 14mm socket to remove the caliper sliding bolts, and a C-clamp to compress the piston (gotta watch the brake fluid simultaneously to make sure it doesn't spill).

https://g35driver.com/forums/brakes-suspension-diy/52272-diy-5at-brakes-rotors-diy-oh-my.html

I just replaced my pads on my 03. I called the Infiniti dealership that I bought the car at to see their price. They wanted over $500, same as yours, rotors and pads being replaced. Now, looking at my rotors, they did not need to be turned or replaced. I called this local import shop that I used to use for my Honda. They charged me $190 to do it with OEM Infiniti pads. I told him what Infiniti said and he even said it was not needed. The best part is that he quoted me $220 first for the job. I called him from home to get him to change the oil also. I ended up paying $200 even for the brake and oil job.

Replacing the front pads is very easy, same with the rears.

1) Jack up the car and secure with a stand
2) Remove wheel
3) Remove lower 14mm caliper slider bolt
4) Swing caliper upwards to expose pads.
5) Remove pads
6) Pop hood and remove brake fluid reservior cap
7) Use c-clamp and wood block (or similiar) to compress brake piston. The wood block allows you disperse the clamping power evenly across the piston.
8) Clean OEM brake pad shims with solvent/sandpaper. Apply anit-noise compound.
9) Install pads
10) Swing caliper down and reinstall slider bolt. Torque to about 25-30 ft/lbs
11) Reinstall brake reservoir cap, wheel, lower car
12) Turn on car, fully depress the brakes to bring back the pedal
13) Do a proper brake pad bedding procedure for max pad life and performance.
14) Done

Should take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete overall. It's as easy as changing the oil and you'd have to try really hard to f-up a pad install.

Shops make a killing with brake jobs. IMO, it's highway robbery to charge $500+ to install a set of $50 pads and $140 in rotors for 30-40 minutes worth of work. I don't know how they get away with it since labor time ($65-80/hr) should be less than one hour.

What did you end up getting Dave?

OEM. I like street performance. They dust badly, but they grab hard.

Long live OEM and grippy brakes.

Although they last about 25,000 KM (correct me if I'm wrong).

I'm wondering if the non-oem brakes such as Hawks HPS will last any longer. I do about 25,000 KM per year and generally I DON"T drive my car "like I stole it."

I'm looking to squeeze 2 years out of the brake pads.

Any recommendation which pads and rotors I should go for? Where can I order them and generally how much they are. I'm thinking of purchasing from Tirerack.com but not sure if it is the best place to buy brakes.

I drive a 04 g35 sedan which has unusual brake wear and I'm out of the 3yr/60,000 KM warranty for brakes.

Thanks

screw OEM, long live ceramic no-dust pads

I ordered my Hawk HPS front pads from Autoanything.com for $69 shipped. Installed them about a week and a half ago and I have yet to clean my front wheels because of no noticeable dust like before with the OEM pads. They have equal or better biting power than the OEMs. Worth the upgrade

I disagree with you on the Hawk HPS front pads. I have not been happy with mine, I don't think they stop nearly as well as the oem. after this set wears out, it will be new rotors again and a set of OEM heavy dusting pads

I've read the same thing. For the street, I'll stick with the dusty OEM pads. If I was tracking the car, then I'd step up to Hawks or something similiar that work better with a little/lot of heat in them.

Who sells the Brembo blanks for $55 each? I'm in the market for some new rotors. Thanks!

the hawk pads actually came with directions! lol

Ok, I think I've read enough to know what I want in brakes:
- Good biting brakes in the Canadian winter colds. It's been -40 Celsius in Toronto in the past and I can't afford to not stop when I intend to.
- I don't care about dust, I wash my car every 2 weeks.
- I would regret buying Hawks and having them squeal.
- It's for all street use.

So I will go with OEMs for brake pads.

What are good rotors that I can slap on with the new OEM rotors and where do you all recommend I pick them up from. I was thinking the Brembo flats but they are $98 USD each...anyone know where I can get them for cheaper?