Ok so I need new breaks all around pretty soon, and I was thinking of getting the front set of Akebono with drilled and slotted rotors and leaving the back with the stock caliper but getting new pads (of course) as well as a drilled and slotted rotor.

Is that a good idea ? eventually I will upgrade the rear just rather save the $500 for now.

Also will I need spacers on my stock 18" wheels to clear them ?

 

save your money on the drilled rotors, unless you are tracking the car, you wont notice the difference. You may need a spacer on the stock 18s. ive got the coupe 19s, i know it will fit those. be aware though that the stock spare wont fit over the AK calipers though.

 

yea i know about the spare, just gotta pray if something does happen its to a rear tire

 

Consider:

a) They are heavy as ****
b) The sport brakes stop just as short
c) They are expensive
d) They don't fit your wheels
e) If you're doing it just for looks, they will look weird until you do the backs too


.02

 

I searched and found it, they will need at least 5mm all around to clear without any problems

vqsmile: I do agree with you. I can get all 4 rotors and pads for the stock for around $300~

 

OEM 18 sport rims? 5mm barely cuts it. The 7.5" wheels will need a far thicker spacer to clear. That's moot, of course, if you run the wider rears on all corners.

To use the wider wheel up front 5mm is the bare minimum but i'd suggest an 8 or up. You'll see what i'm talking about in the pics i posted.

http://gshack.org/?p=174

I would suggest that you do this right the first time around. You may be saving by keeping the rears as-is for now, but then you'd have to purchase new Akebono calipers, pads and rotors in a short while anyway. Not to mention time spent swapping it all out. Also, you'll spend on spacers that you likely won't need if you decide on proper-fitting wheels down the road.

I know the itch is there, I know how you feel. It took me several months to complete the set (and this only after making sure my wheels cleared without issues whatsoever) and a couple more from the painting process. But in the end it was worth it. And, i didn't have to deal with buying/selling parts that i eventually wouldn't need.

Just my 2c.

 

Nice write up, I think Im going to just buy pads for now and start to slowly buy the akebono parts. Im sooo dumb, i saw a set of all 4 calipers akebonos on ebay with a buy it now for $500, only thing he said was that they could use a rebuilt, here i am thinking rebuilt is something expensive ... when i find out its like 30 bucks to do .... yea they sold the next day lol

 

Wait! What year is your G? If your posting in the right area 07+ your 18's will be fine. no spacers is needed.

 

If something happens to your front tire simply jack up one side of the car taking both wheels off and put the good existing rear in the front and the spare in the back. At least until you get the rear calipers.

 

What about the "blocking" stud on the hub to prevent this?

 

If you're talking about the thing pictured below then I'd advise you remove it with a 12mm wrench/socket. You're gonna have to do this to run spacers or aftermarket wheels as it is...

 

Yes, and that was my point; Who carries a 12mm wrench/socket with them? I was just trying to point out that, as a general practice, the method you suggested won't work without having planned ahead for this contingency.

 

I think your missing the point. If he gets akebonos he's gonna have to run a spacer. If he's running a spacer he will have to take that off prior to putting a spacer on anyways. Therefore when he gets a flat tire its not gonna be there because it will already have been taken off. You don't need it anyways. You follow?

 

Yes, I followed you from the beginning. Nonetheless, I think you are making certain assumptions (ie. Akebonos = spacers). If he runs larger factory wheels or aftermarket wheels (some have differing reliefs depending on their size), he may not necessarily have had to remove them. Mr. Murphy is patient and his LAW always seems to be there to bite you in the A$$, particularly when you are at your most vulnerable (on the side of the freeway, in the rain, during rush hour...etc.). I was merely pointing it out for consideration.

 

Or! He can just remove it while he's installing the Akebono's. That stub is just a deterrent anyway, it has no other function. He can install the OEM wheels without it.

Except in a pinch, he just has to remember to return the proper wheel to it's right location.