Hawk Brake Pads

[80vette_ca]

My 1980 brakes squeak all the time under normal braking, so I e-mailed Hawk Performance and asked them about semi-metallic pads vs organic and they said that they have semi-metallic pads that won't squeak and they offer a bit better better braking then orgainics. Has anybody used there pads before and if so did they squeak? Also are the organic pads really that much worse then the semi's in braking? Thanks for the replies

 

[cruzer99]

Ask where you bought the brake pads if they have anti-squeak shims. Most cars with disk brakes require them to keep from squeaking. Just a thought.......

 

[JohnZ]

Also consider that the more aggressive the pads are, the faster they'll eat your rotors; your rotors will last nearly forever with OEM pads, which can still lock your wheels - at that point, it's your tires that determine stopping distance, not the brakes. "Race" pads are a total waste of money (and rotors) unless you're road-racing competitively or doing high-G stops from 100mph repeatedly all day long.

 

[cruzer99]

HBS,
Do the ceramic pads have any problems stoping when they are cold? Some pads like the carbon fiber pads don't work at all unless they get hot then the hotter they get the better they work.

 

[Wamp]

heads up

Can you keep us posted on this new ceramic pad? where to get them, cost, ETC....... I need pads for a 1974 and a 1996.

 

[sscam69]

Where were you when I needed new brake pads :L!?

Yes please check and keep us posted.




Frank

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

---sounds like a job for HydraTech...

-Ceramic-seals on the latest home-faucets claim to last a lifetime (whose?), so possibly the new Ceramic-pads would indeed be a suitable item for HydraTech Company to be carrying at a true-discount for CAC-members (especially the C3's) as a "get-aquainted offer"; --and if as JohnZ cautions, they don't wear the original-rotors any more aggressively than ol'organic, exhibit longer-life than fade-prone organic-pads, are quiet and clean; -then hey CeraTech ---COME ON DOWN!!! -Bob vH
:dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance :dance

 

[80vette_ca]

Hey guys thanks for the replies now maybe I won't look like a loser driving a vette with squeaky brakes

 

[Bullitt]

Go for the semi-metallic pads. I've always been disappointed in organic pads, especially with their high dust factor. The braking distance is noticeable between the two with the semi-metallic making stopping more sure-footed, especially when late braking. I haven't used Hawk yet, but have always liked Performance Friction which you can find at Autozone. Throw in the lifetime warranty and they're worth the extra money.

--Bullitt

 

[Wamp]

bullit

Are the pads you are speaking of the carbon metalic? I'm brake stupid.... I can change them and bleed them but as for knowing the dust factor and the stopping distance, you got me....

 

[Bullitt]

Yeah, the ones I'm talking about are carbon-metalic. I shouldn't say semi-metalic, because that term covers many types of compounds. There can be things like asbestos, steel, iron, copper, kevlar and whatever else in street or race pads. Then there's ceramics. Just a bad habit I have of always saying the term "semi-metalic."

The part #0084 is a PFC carbon-metalic pad from Autozone that runs around $36 for the front. I've used this compound before and am pleased with it's street characteristics. Then there's the Z-rated pads for really high performance. There's no part number listing for them, since they are not available through Autozone. I'm sure you could find them other retailers, if you really need an aggressive pad, perhaps for some really serious driving.

Why should you pay $26 or more over the cheapie brake pads? Shorter stopping distances, better pedal feel, better brake modulation and less dust. Dust is caused by "carbonizing," which means that the pad material has reached a temperature at which causes it to lose optimum performance. That's why cheaper pads create a lot of dust. They don't inhibit higher temperature tolerances and therefore reach "carboniziation" more frequently, resulting in longer stopping distances.

From EBC: Brake Fade

All pads contain some organic materials. The resins used to bind pad compounds together are organic "petro-chemical" products. As these overheat, the resins revert to gas and cause the pads to "aquaplane" on a gas film, which is called "fade". Cheaper pads may suffer from continual dynamic fade, sometimes at surprisingly low temperatures.

Temperatures:

Temperatures between the pad and disc do not normally exceed 700 degrees (F) even in heavy street use. In race use, 900 - 1200 degrees F is common on even on smaller cars, and in racing sedans shoot up to around 1500 degrees, where rotors will glow orange or red. ALWAYS CHOOSE A PAD TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS! NEVER just select a race compound because you think you’re a hot shot. Most race pads need "warm up" and don’t become effective until as much as 350 degrees. NOT a good thing for typical urban traffic conditions.

--Bullitt

 

[patsnitrovette]

Never used hawks on the streeet but used them in the race cars and like said previously, they wore the rotors really fast,but could stop you on a dime.

 

[mmvette80]

Are the organic and ceramic simiar? I tried organic pads for about 10 miles and went back to semi- metalic.