I need new brake pads on my 4G coupe, and the shop I had my tires rotated at mentioned Raybestos pads. I was going to use OEM pads, but they said these are better.

Any experiences good or bad? How much do they run? The shop quoted me $80 for the pads and $80 labor, but I think I'll probalby skip the labor and do it myself (as I was planning on doing with the OEM pads ) Any warranty issues this way?

Also, should I look for anything noticeable concerning the rotors?

 

$80 dollars for Rabestos pads is a joke, go to Advance or Auto Zone and get a set, that is a rip off
$80 to change them is a complete rip off to, i Can change all my pads in about 20-30 minutes
rotors that have deep grooves in them or are worn past a certain point are bad, they also may be warped but that would be noticeable when braking.

 

i'm glad i asked

what would i look for while braking to tell if the rotors were warped?

 

you would feel a vibration in the pedal under light to medium braking and a big vibration in heavy braking
and I forgot to ask but have you changed your brakes before on your car? if not then give yourself a little more time than 30 minutes to learn how to do it

 

i haven't changed my brakes before, but my friend's dad will help me out, so i'm not worried about that too much.

i feel vibration in the steering wheel sometimes when i brake hard, i can't quite remember if it is in the pedal also, i'll be more observant when i drive later today.

 

it could be felt through the steering wheel also,
it will be good to learn how to change your brakes because that is an easy self maintainence job that can obviously save you some money

 

DO NOT BY RAYBESTOS PADS. Especially for $80. They are like $32 for the fronts and $30 for the rears in AutoZone.

I got PBR brakes now. I like them a lot. I just through out my Raybestos fronts because they sucked big *****. I think OE pads are better than Raybestos.

About the rotors, look for cracks, and deep round grooves. If you brake really hard and the wheel shakes a little, its ok. But when your wheel shakes from light braking, your rotors are cracked or warped beyond use. Get them changed.

Changing pads is easy. Only hard part is getting the bolts loose. Just remove your wheel, loosen the BOTTOM BOLT ONLY. Your caliper flips up and your pads come out. Just remember which pads goes on which side. Use a C clamp to push the piston back in, and put on new pads with the retainer clips. Flip caliper back down, and replace bolt. Real easy job. Dont forget to let your pads brake-in before you brake hard.

 

what was wrong with your raybestos pads? why did you dislike them so much?

 

They squeeled like mad, and theyre stopping power sucked. They also warped and burned my new brembo rotors. I still have them in the rear, but only because the rear doesnt matter much. When my rears need changing, i will get hawk hps for all 4.

 

I GOT A 94 ACCORD...I GOT CARBON FIBER AND CERAMIC PADS...THEY KICK ***...ALSO I HAVE HEARD "GREEN STUFF" IS AWESOME TOO...THE BOTH HAVE MINIMAL TO NO BREAK DUST AT ALL...

 

I have Rebestos on my rear right now. They are OK, but not as good as the Honda OEM. I would buy the Honda pads, and do the labor youself. Brake pads are about as easy as changing oil.

As far as performance pads go, EBC "Green Stuff" work very well, and I have never heard of them damaging any rotors- OEM or aftermarket.

 

Raybestos are noisy as hell...
OEM are the quietest ones....

PBR and Rofren are also a good alternative to OEM, PBR being the quieter of the 2.

 

i have only used raybestos...no need for expensive pads. Absolutely no squeal...and they stop really good. Actually, the only problem I have in hard braking is that my tires give up first cuz my brakes bite down hard. I usually skid to a halt. I guess next time I buy new tires, I'll have to get something even stickier

 

If you are changing front pads, I would recommend the Performance Friction pads, which I got from my local AutoZone for $41. They are a very nice pad, very grippy and don't dust much, and they have a lifetime warranty to boot. I've read only positive comments about them so far, and I love them. I was going to get the Hawk HPS Street pads, but I couldn't wait the 3 weeks it would take to get them -- although I will be ordering those for the rear since PF doesn't offer them for the rear.

The difference in stopping power was amazing.

 

damn, i'm getting such differing opinions.....i don't know what to do.

oh wait, yes i do. i just found out my friend's dad is the parts manager at honda, and i can get the oem pads at cost. i think i'll do that

 

I definetly recommend my carbon fiber PBR pads. They are really good. Minimal dust. I havent tried the HPS yet, but when I do, Ill will post and inform.