It's about that time that I'm looking to get my brake pads replaced. The OEMs are beginning to squeal a bit at 45,000 miles and I'm unhappy with the pedal travel before the brakes engage. I understand that replacing the pads will not solve this, but I figured I would get new pads while getting the spongy pedal resolved.

I've read and read through threads to figure out which pads will be my best bet. Years ago, people were raving over the Rotex gold pads, but lately it seems like Akebono and Posi are popular options. I'm not too educated on whether I should be looking for metallic or ceramic brakes either. My SRT is a daily driver--never seen a track, but I do tend to drive rather aggressively. So I am looking for recommendations. I'll likely have these done at a local shop as I don't have the time or equipment to replace them myself. Please help!

 

I just did my brakes on a high mileage car and I wish I had had my calipers serviced. Here is a link to some kits and parts are cheap! Check out needswings.com for the preferred replacement parts.

Caliper Service Kit.
https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,c...2BRepair%2BKit

 

Here's a stupid question:

You hear on a lot of new high-end cars that you can upgrade to "Carbon Ceramic Brakes" for superior stopping power. Is this the same as simply replacing the pads with ceramic pads like I'm considering? Not sure of the difference, especially given the upgrade charge of these brakes on the vehicles on which they're offered.

In other news, I'm getting quotes on the Akebono pads.

 

The term carbon ceramic brakes actually refers to the disks. The pads used with them are ceramic with copper fibers. This would be insanely expensive to do if its even possible. Maybe with an entire aftermarket setup with calipers, rotors, and pads. Upgrades around here usually consist of buying upgraded calipers off a few AMG models like the slk55, cl600, and a few other models for a good setup with everything you need your looking at about 2 grand if you do the work. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the information! Would you mind explaining what difference I would see with upgraded calipers?

 

I am going to assume here that you have a NA ( non-SRT6 ) car.
If this is true, the difference between what you have and 'upgraded' calipers is in heat dissipation.
Your current setup will already reach the point of cycling the ABS, it's a matter of how many times in a quick succession you can do this lockup without losing some braking ability.
Updated calipers ( which also implies larger rotors ) will give you much more continuous braking power ( useful if you road race or drive the Dragon all the time ) but the stock setup is fine for the other 95% of us.

 

He says in his first post that his "SRT is a daily driver"

 

Yea, thanks.... missed that.
In that case, expect to spend lots of $$$$$ on an upgrade.

 

I would think the biggest braking bang per buck would be to upgrade the rear calipers and disks being that they are only a single piston? Possibly upgrading to better pads and checking out vented/drilled/slotted rotors. I love the looks of the AMG calipers popping through the wheels so from an appearance stand point I would consider them but I'm not spending 2k on brakes just for the looks... Call me cheap or what have you but I would rather see a new set of forks on my mountain bike for that kinda money.

 

If you take the time to hunt for good deals you can put a set together from used MB models on a budget. I found Brembo 4pot front and rears on eBay/for sale section here and hunted deals down on rotors. It's not as big an upgrade for an SRT as the limited but it's still an upgrade. If your willing to do a bit of work you should be able do it for ~1000. Waiting for/finding the good deals is the hardest part.

 

I ended up using the existing rotors and calipers with the Akebono Euro pads. After the spongy 200-mile break-in period, I am very happy. The car stops on a dime and the dust is virtually nonexistent.

 

Is the pedal travel reduced?

 

Was the tech able to improve the pedal travel?

 

It wasn't a drastic change, but I do feel like they are engaging a bit sooner. I attribute this mostly to the pads being fatter than the worn ones. They checked the brake fluid and said it was in fine shape, as well as the master cylinder.