Other then preventing some squeakng, do the pad shims do anything else and do you need them. I have the shims on the front pads however i don't on the rear. My new pads really don't squeak unless its a little wet outside and only at slower speeds and only until they heat up. They are still new. I have never had squeak problems in the past however if they do something else for the pad (help with even wear etc........) would it be worth it to put some in??

thanks for the input.

 

aside from reducing noise, they also act as a heat barrier. when the pads get super hot, the heat will be transferred directly to the pistons, which transfers directly to your brake fluid. when brake fluid boils, the water molecules in the fluid are released into gas form, which is compressable. this results in a spongy pedal.

 

Nicely put! I was wondering the same thing. BTW - Autozone SUCKS!!
They sold me Type R size brakes for my GSR. Then when I went to exchange them, no ceramics! They only had some duralast junk that didnt come with shims. I'll order them online from now on...

 

I have learned a valuable lesson never to buy brake pads from Autozone. They are all junk.

My Axxis Ultimates didn't come with shims, but I do get some squeaking at low speeds. I don't know if it is because of the lack of shims or just the material the pads are made out of.

 

Are you running crossdrilled or slotted rotors? I had ceramics on my car on regular rotors and when I changed them, I noticed a lot of heat damage. My braking also sucked so I went to semi-metallic pads. Big difference in braking.

 

Yes i'm running drilled & slotted rotors. h:
I bought them before doing any research. Honestly, im happy with them overall. Do have a set of brembo blanks on the shelf just incase they crack or warp. What brand did you try? I've always had good luck with ceramic pads, very minimal dust & seem to last a good while.


Are you happy with axxis pads? I was gonna order a set of those next. Or mabye the AEM pads. Minor squeeking doesnt bother me all that much, I just want good quality. And shimms dammit!!!

 

Not all pads need shims. The semi metalics I'm using right now don't come with them and the guy said they don't need them or any "no squeal" stuff - no squeeks at all and they stick pretty well.

 

They perform great. The dust is the problem. I have never seen a pad dust as much as these and the dust is nasty and black. They also eat the rotors. I have at least 1mm of material gone from my year old Brembo blanks.

My next pad is going to be a set of AEM since they are ceramic so that I don't have to deal with the dust. I am looking for a pad with little (or invisible) dust and good performance like the Axxis Ultimates.

 

Cool. I tried the Bendix CT3's. Ya, I should have researched before hand.

 

Im running Bendix in the front. Not sure which model no. But they have shims and do not squeak at all. Dust is low, but black and higher than desirable. Could have something to do with the drilled & slotted rotors.

Research says to stay away from drilled slotted rotors, because there weaker than blanks. When there hot they have a tendancy to warp or even crack. Three months and mine are still okay. Im prepared for the worst with them though. I simply cannot justify spending $1200 on a high performance "big break" kit. After this, its brembo blanks.

I just ordered a set of AEM pads to replace the crappy duralast rears I currently have. Got a front set too, but my bendix are still within tolorance.