Good topic and suggestions. While we're at it, what would you guys suggest for an '04x? I have to do my rear brakes pretty soon and will probably do fronts at the same time.

 

Those are the same brakes I have. There really isn't a perfect solution for us. Here are the four options as I see them:

- Stick with OEM pads/rotors and get great braking, but a lot of dust
- Get aftermarket pads (Wagner, Hawk, Project Mu) and get slightly less than great braking, but also less dust
- Upgrade to '05-'06 RWD or '06 AWD calipers/rotors/pads and get great braking and less dust, but spend more money
- Upgrade to BBK and get great braking and looks, but spend a lot more money

I'm pretty happy with my Wagner pads, but may keep my eye out for a cheap set of '05-'06 brakes to upgrade to eventually.

 

What squeaks less, OEM or aftermarkets? I absolutely HATE squeaking while I come to a stop.

 

If your rotors and pads are toast, then an upgrade to the bigger 05' brakes isn't that much different. IF you can find a deal on alow miler set that includes everything. (Calipers/rotors/almost new pads).

I eventually sold my old stock set to someone demodding their brembo swap. Further recouping costs

 

I don't remember my OEM's ever squeaking. For some reason I have noticed a slight squeal from the Wagners every now and then.

 

^^Just remember to re-use the shims with the OEMs. My car had never had OEM pads on the rears since I bought it so I don't have the shims. Put OEMs on a few months ago and they squeak like hell, but I can't justify paying $50 for 4 little pieces of aluminum. Might as well buy a different set of pads for that price which sucks, I like the OEM bite and performance, not to mention they are virtually dust free.

 

I was actually wondering if I needed to reuse the shims from the OEM pads on my Wagners. I think I remember reading somewhere that it wasn't necessary so I didn't use them. Maybe that's why I get the squeal every now and then.

 

when I bought my car it had some sort of Duralast pads on it w/o shims and then I ran the Hawk HPS with no shims and neither set up made any noise. I believe aftermarket pads have built-in shims but don't quote me on that.

 

Probably. If you have them, try putting them in. If not, try some brake quiet and lube all the contact surfaces that the pad ears slide on inside the caliper holders

 

So if I have OEM pads and rotors now, and I ordered new OEM pads, I would be able to re-use the shims and slap on the new pads? Or would I need to replace the shims, too?

 

You can/should re-use the shims. Just make sure to put brake quiet on the inside of the shim and the outside of the pad to keep them quiet.

 

^ Brake Quiet and Brake Lube are different things, in bythabay's video they said its not recommended to use Brake Quiet.

I used



And all is well.

It can be used on the slider pins, since its rubber safe. Not sure if Brake Quiet can be used here.

You can find the little packets that I used at Autozone and O'reilly's, as well as Napa(big tube).

 

Thanks guys. I'll definitely refer back to this when I change my brakes!

 

Brake Quiet definitely can not be used on the slider pins, the stuff I use dries to a rubber-like consistency. I've used it on pads/shims for years with no issues, not sure what Eugene (btb) was talking about.

This is what I use:

 

I have a 2004 G35X with floating caliper (non-Brembo), single rear caliper brakes. Both front & rears are down to 1/8" and front rotors are near limit. OEMs have good cold bite and I have never had any noise or vibration, but I would like longer front pad & rotor life (present set have ~30,000 km or 18,000 mi) and less dusting. Wagner Thermo-Quiets have been recommended. They are modestly priced and available locally in the event of problems.

In visiting two parts suppliers, I am advised that Thermo-Quiets for my car are only available in ceramic for the rear and semi-metallic for the front, and that OEM pads appear to be the same. Does anyone know if mixing types is correct? Seems unusual to me.