OEM vs. Carbons..rotors etc.

[Paul_Royal@idx.com]

I wanted to send along a note that I received privately concerning the use
of Carbon Metallic pads.  I'm posting this
anonymously; but with permission because the author does not want to break
the "advertising" rule on the list, but I
think that some good points are made and worth sharing.  I have also
conversed with others who agree that the
Hawk pads simply devour rotors as opposed to other Carbon Metallic (types)
that don't.  Without further adieu:


""I don't think that you will have any problems except that your car has
the smaller brakes (you already knew that).  I think that ******** post was
unfair trashing of a product without looking at the other possible
factors... for example:  I don't think he started with fresh rotors...
Older cars are more likely to have calipers that don't move freely... We
don't know anything about his driving style... We don't know if he followed
the bed-in patiently or not.

Sometimes consumers try to use a product.. in this case a brake pad
designed for racing... for other than it's intended purposes and then they
complain when the outcome isn't miraculous.  The point being missed by the
MM fans is the improvement in stopping distances and driver confidence
under all conditions.  Even cold carbon pads will outstop cold MM or OEM..
You have proved that just driving to work. **(and I have...PwR)**  Get
those same pads warm or hot and the performance difference just gets
larger.

But, there's no free lunch as they say.. All brake pads convert the energy
of a mass in motion into heat by using friction.  Stopping the car shorter
means that the rotors will see the same amount of heat in a shorter time
span.

In my experience, rotors using carbon kevlar pads eventually fail via heat
stress cracks.. over a large number of heat cycles.  The cracks start as
little varicose veins and eventually get rougher until the driver complains
about them.  Dishing, warping and wearing the rotor "thinner" are usually
the result of other factors or problems, i.e.. it would happen on that car
with that driver with any brake pad, but the MM and OEM pads give out
before things get that hot and the driver either backs it down a notch or
goes off the track.

I hope that this helps... and that you get a chance to enjoy your car on
some
sunny, dry days shortly. ""


Have a good one...Royal