Brakes : Longevity and Effectiveness?
 

Good Morning/Afternoon all

I'm afraid I don't post here all that often...(this may be my first post actually), but anyway I've got a bit of a problem. I'm in the UK and I have gone thru a set of mintex 1144's in a little over 9 months... (they aren't dead yet but braking effectiveness is very reduced as we've now gone past the bottom of the groove)

Anyway I also hear that the Axxis Ultimates don't last too long either. So basically I was wondering what your opinions were on the best brake pads for the job.

I don't mind spending a little extra on the pad, if they will last a year or so. I'll be honest i never ever hammer the brakes, which is why i'm a little surprised/annoyed the mintex's haven't lasted that long.

So suggestions chaps?

OH BTW it's a 1.6 and i've not done the 1.8 upgrade as i don't think there is enough room between caliper and alloy (although if anyone can tell me how much the bracket extends the caliper over the standard 1.6 ones that would be welcome too)

Never tired or heard of the mintex brake pads before, but nine months is pretty quick for the pads to wear out. This would make me suspect something else is not right in the brake system. Maybe caliper hardware sticking and causeing the pads to drag with the brakes off. Start from step one if not done in the past year and or 15000miles/30000K. Replace and flush brake fluid. Clean, inspect and lube caliper parts that require lube. Then insert brake pads of your choice. I personally use the wilwood black/race (called something else now) brake pads up front ( i have the wilwood big brake package in the front) and hawk HPS in the rear. It has 18000 miles on them, been taken out on a track day and still look some what new( after a good rinse with some brake spray). The set-up i have makes alot of brake dust and is not recommended for street cars, but i beat on this car daily and drive it like a race car, so it works for me. Also sqeeks when the breaks are cold, not a plesent sound at all. just my 2 cents hope it helps some.

If you need pads to last get Duralast Gold.

If you want performance I recommend Hawk HP+.

For the record, I went through Axxiss Ultimates in 1000 miles on the front.

jwhip,
This question is asked about twice a month on this forum and the overwhelming majority of the positive responses are for Hawk HP+.

If you will use the search button at the top of the page and try a few different key words, and then go through several of the threads, you will find some good advice.

Something is wrong. Unless that was 50% track miles, you have an issue.

ALL STREET. I swear to you.

Check your calipers. You have something seized or sticking.

Dude. They are just shit.

I put on Hawk HP+ that came with the sport brakes I got, they were at 50% when I started using them, its been 2k miles and they are still going strong.

Either I got a bad set of pads, or they just cant handle NY stop and go.

My right front caliper is fubared and the pads wore down to the backing plates. Left front had still half of the pad material on them. Sticking calipers will screw with your pads.

I believe you and Savington. But when all pads, on both wheels, wear evenly, then it clearly cannot be the calipers.

I KNOW, its hard for you guys to believe. Chad didnt want to believe me either, but I shit you not, 1000 miles and I had to toss the pads.

The rear ones are still going strong though.

Weird. Must've been a shitty batch of pads then..

Cheers for the advice guys...i know i know i should have used the search function! But lets be honest theres usually pages of results to trawl thru and besides better to get it first hand from people that are prepared to write about the stuff anyway! I think i'm going to look at getting the wilwood ones

Also i'm on Sam with this one, all my pads have worn evenly! and i changed the fluid a little over a year ago when i had to replace the rear caliper because the handbrake mechanism was completely screwed..

I'll check it all out anyway. But once again thanks, i suspect i'm about to become a regular visitor here :)

Ttfn!

Did he just sign off "Ta ta for now?"

Brother, where are you? You really should put your location in your details.

mintex red box are awesome for a daily driver, but I could make them spark on my vw when playing on the highway.

hard brake pressure makes the brakes last longer than dragging them.

Indeed I did Sir, I'm from the other side of the atlantic in Merry Old England

One question not asked is what is your useage? All street, slow commuting? Fast driving? Track? Autocross? Mixed use of street and track?

I always thought it was "Jolly Olde England."