EBC Brakes or OEM?

R Q

R Q

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2005
Location
Charlotte
Wife's car is a 2011 Infiniti G37 Sport. Dealer supposedly did brakes before we bought it used a couple years ago. She took it back in because they squeaked a couple times and they vibrated. They dicked around and did some stuff but never made them "right". Then my son took it to work with him at Lexus and machined the rotors and it smoothed it out. Now she says weak pedal or not enough brakes so I'm going to install pads and rotors.
I'm looking at EBC and OEM parts from Lexus. I've been told you can't get better than factory parts for it but also EBC claims the highest quality.
Who is right? Whats best?
Thanks
 
Aftermarket pads can provide more stopping power and better heat management properties under severe conditions (a.k.a. road course racing), but unless she's suffering from brake fade in Charlotte traffic, I'd go with OEM. And if she's suffering from brake fade, tell her to quit following so close and riding the brakes! :D I put some Performance Friction pads on my truck because they were similarly priced to OEM, but they squeal and put out a LOT of dust, so I'm probably gonna put some OEM pads back on it. You really can't beat OEM for dust and noise control, and they spend a lot of time making sure the pad material is a good match to the rotor alloy. Also, I fundamentally hate EBC because their naming system is stupid ("red stuff" "yellow stuff" "green stuff" etc).
 
I have been using power stop brand pads for many years now and like them a lot. Less expensive than EBC, but far better performance than stock.
 
I ran EBC reds on a Civic Si. They worked really well all around. Good stopping cold and really came to life in twisty mountains with no fade. I went with them because of the bed in coating they used. I followed the bed in procedure they recommended (it was like 10 panic stops or something) and they were quiet.
 
I install wear ever gold in oe material on most customers vehicles, unless they want cheap or high end. Platinum's get you free pad replacement. I personally run the gold pads and it does make a difference as far as dust, squealing, and stopping power, small but noticeable if it's your DD (I drive a obese service Cherokee daily, she's +/- 4100#, without trailer or hoist or transmission jack, silver pads only lasted 6-8 months, gold I'm going on a year, almost due) rotors should be at least sanded with 120 grit to aid in seating the pads. Standard break-in is 30 stops from 30 mph with 30 seconds cool down, and don't stop completely or you risk heating the rotors where the pads end up sitting
 
I liked the Power stop brakes, I installed on my 98 1500. Older Chevy 1500s Always had weak spongy brakes, due to the master cylinder. Power Stop made it feel better & stopped better.
As for dust, I understand Ceramic, is the way to go. And I've heard more than 1 Mechanic say, anything but Factory, will Squeal, on Toyota's.
 
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