Hey guys,

It's about time for new front brakes on my '07 A3 2.0T, does anybody have any recommendations? I'm leaning towards ceramic pads, but that's about the extent of my knowledge. I'd especially like a set of pads that didn't leave so much brake dust on my front rims.

Thanks,
Josh

 

Akebono ceramic - Tire Rack carries them. Quiet and long lived.

 

thanks for the recommendation. Has anyone tried the duralast cmax gold? they are at my local autozone?

 

Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads Part #'s :
FRONT Manufacturer Part #: HB543Z.760
REAR Manufacturer Part #: HB544Z.628

I have these on my car: great stopping power and much less dust than the oem pads. They should be the same part numbers for your car, but have whoever you buy them from doublecheck.

http://www.bits-pieces.com/

 

Second on Akebono Ceramic pads...I paired them with Alpine MotorSports Brass Bushings and Motul fluid flush...the result is fantastic! Love the feel and improved grip.

 

Have any of you changed your own brake pads and if so is it anymore difficult than the average car?

 

I'll confirm the suggestion for Akebono ceramic - good street performance and near-zero dust (or else it blends in with my wheels), although they're only available for the front, last time I looked.

They're quite easy to change in front. Don't know about the rears, but I recall reading something about need to screw the piston in to retract it, rather then just a straight push like the fronts.

 

Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive caliper tool set:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40732

Has what you need to spin the rear pistons back into the caliper.

Just a normal pad change, no special difficulties.

 

For those of you who installed the Akebono pads, is it also necessary to change the rotors? I know that changing the rotors will provide better performance, but for the time being with there be any problems with installing the Akebono pads on OEM rotors?

Thanks.

 

No need to change the disks when changing the pads, thankfully! Those in the know will tell you that changing to better pads, better brake fluid is really all that is needed; if you are adding significant horsepower and going racing, bigger disks will keep your brakes from fading from back to back 80mph stops.