Just picked up an 08 RDX and after some spirited driving I noticed that the brakes suck. Looked at some options and there seems to be a very limited selection of front pads available. I figured I would be able to do my common solution of Centric Premium rotors and HPS or HP+ pads and maybe a fluid change. Nope. I can get the Centric 120 series rotors but not the high carbon 125s. At least I can get the cryo treated versions. I might be inclined to do a drilled/slotted rotor because I probably won't track this vehicle. Stock rotor size is 11.6" and it has dual piston calipers. Seems pretty legit, right? Pad choices are null. I found the Brembo ceramics on Tire Rack but I want something a little more aggressive and that can handle more heat. There must be something strange or uncommon with the pad shape that severely reduces the availability of what is out there.

I am also inclined to do something along the lines of an OEM big brake upgrade from like a TL, RL or MDX. Just not sure of what may or may not fit with little or no modification.

 

I did some looking around for you to see if there are any other options, and there aren't any, unfortunately.

What is shown on the website under a 08 Acura RDX is what we have available.


-AJ

 

They have like 40 different pads here: RockAuto Parts Catalog

It's an old thread but, these guys say Hawk and R1 concepts have good pads: Brake upgrade for RDX - AcuraZine Community

 

Thanks for checking. I think I'm going to try out the Brembo Ceramics and Centric 120.CRYO rotors.

 

Thanks for posting, but all of the Rock Auto pads are entry level pads and I am looking for something that can handle my style of braking. The best thing on there is the "Raybestos Advanced Technology" and I'm not sure about them yet. I know that price isn't everything, but I find it a little hard to trust a $37 set of front performance pads.

I already read all the threads over on AcuraZine and those guys had the exact same issue with finding front pads. There are rear pads galore, but Hawk doesn't make front pads for this. As I stated in my OP, I was planning on my staple of just getting the HPS or HP+ but I can't...

I might be willing to try the R1 Concepts Fleet series pads... Just want to find some real reviews first. Not just: "Ordering and install was a breeze" kind of reviews that reveal absolutely nothing about the quality of the product itself.

 

I asked around and, even though nobody has put them on a RDX, a couple people told me they really like the EBC yellowstuff pads. And I know they make them for the RDX. Good luck.

 

I think it will be your best option for what is available. Don't forget a quality fluid, too.

 

Gonna try the Brembo Ceramics first. This is the Wife's daily and I don't know if she will put up with the noise from the EBC Yellows. If she needs a better pad, then the EBCs look like the best pad out there. I came across this review from Car and Driver:

Performance Brake Pads Compared: Hawk HPS, Hawk HP Plus, EBC Yellowstuff | Car and Driver Blog

Seems like an excellent review between the Hawks/EBC/Mazda OEM.

For Part Number reference:

EBC Yellow = DP41743R
Brembo Ceramic = P28054N
Centric Posi Quiet Ceramic = 105.10890

For fluid I was a tried and true ATE Super Blue, but now I use the TYP200 in all my cars. It's even the OEM fluid for my M3.

 

How did the upgrade go? I'm getting a black 07 tech package and would like to do the brakes also.

 

So far so good. I won't get a chance to do some "spirited" driving with heavy repetitive braking until next summer. I will give a better report then.