Brake pads

["Gary G. Erickson" <erickson@teleport.com>]

I have to throw in my comments about the MetalMasters here.  I agree
with both of the schools of thought.  I really like them for the
street,  but on the track they are less than optimal.

I ran MM's on the street for over the last year.  They worked well
enough when cold (since I live at the top of a hill and warm them up
first thing in the morning.)  I actually liked the progressive braking
that you get as they grab harder as they get hotter.

A couple of weeks ago, (just before the PIR event here in Portland) I
got a new set of Hawk HP+ (I think the compound is similar to
Performance Friction's Carbon Metallic) pads for the front.  I love
these pads!  They work great cold, they work great hot, they've got
enough stick to yank your eyeballs right outta you head.

However, in the middle heat range that you get to in normal stop and go
driving, they squeal like a pig just before Easter.  And they create
brake dust faster than anything I've ever seen before.

These two symptoms have led me to the conclusion that as soon as I have
a chance, the MM's will go back in for normal street driving (so I don't
have to scrub the wheels every week in the freezing cold!) and the Hawks
will sit on the shelf until the next track day or auto-x.

I guess it's just a case of picking the tool for the job that has the
features that you need.  Kinda' similar to having summer tires and
winter snows in my mind.

Gary
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Gary G. Erickson            Member #82 NW Audi Quattro Club
Business Solution Integrators, Inc.
503-702-5789                  e-mail: erickson@teleport.com