Akebono Ceramic Pads for 03 GT

[mangusta1969]

I was just on the www.tirerack.com site and noticed that they now have a listing for Akebono Ceramic brake pad (front only) for the 03 GT Cruiser. I don't think there was an Akebono listing the last time that I looked there (fall 2003).

In the past, some sites (such as Rock Auto) listed Akebono pads as being available for the GT Cruiser, but this was a mistake as the part number they cited was the same as the normally aspirated Cruisers, with their smaller front brakes.

Has anyone ordered and installed the Akebono Ceramics for your 03 or 04 GT Cruiser? How are these pads for dusting and squealing? Because of their excessive and corrosive dusting I am pretty unhappy with my OEM pads. I need to do something.

If the Akebonos are not available, can anyone suggest other ways to go? I don't really need performance brakes, but I am willing to go with the relatively low dollar (about $650) Wilwood front caliper setup. But users of these Wilwoods have complained about squealing and dusting, too. Are dust free/squeal-free pads available for the Wilwood calipers?

Thanks for any help and real world experiences on this subject.

Steve

[purplept]

I also looked into the Wilwood big brake kit but wasn't sure of its compatibility with ABS. I looked into the Stoptech big brake kit but didn't want to spend that much. I thought the Powerslot or Stoptech slotted rotors with upgraded pads and stainless lines would make the most sense. I went with the Stoptech slotted rotors in front and rear with Hawk HPS pads in front and Stoptech stainless lines in front (no stainless lines are available yet but I understand Goodridge is working on a set for the rear). I get a little brake dust with the Hawk HPS pads but instead of being dusted evenly on the rim it dusts in segments related to the spacing of the slots on the rotors. It kind of flings the dust onto the rim. Not real heavy but still builds up. The Stoptech upgrade has a firmer brake pedal feel but I haven't really driven aggressively enough to have more information. I was a little disappointed to still have oxidation on the rotors after washing the car but I understand even the coated rotors such as Powerslots have the same problem because eventually the coating wears off.

[Sci-Fi]

All the catalogs I've seen only list a different REAR Pad for the turbo model, The Front pads are usually the same part number for both the N/A and Turbo. Can visit my webpage, about 3/4 the way down to see what is available: http://sci-fi.ptenthusiasts.net/photo6.html

Should note that the Akebono pads usually cost a lot less than other ceramic pads, so they may not last as long.

[Gunner]

Purplept where did you get the Stoptech rotors for the GT? Everywhere I have been said they are for the regular PT and not ours. [:I] By the way what did the rotors any break lines run? Any noticable improvement? In refrence to mangusta1969, I have the Akebono pads on my GT. The dust is a million times less than the factory. I have had no problems with squeaking brakes. There is not much, if any, improvement over the factory pads. My main reason for the purchase was to illiminate the horrible dust issue with the factory pads. Hope that helped!

[mangusta1969]

Guys,

Thanks for the prompt and informative responses to my brake pad questions.

The parts reference link that Sci-Fi posted was excellent! Definitely something to bookmark for future use. The content dividers are a nice touch, too.

Gunner, thanks for posting your specific experience about the big dust reduction for the Akebonos wrt the OEM pads. That is the main thing I am looking for. In general, it is my understanding that the ceramic pads don't give any performance advantages and may actually fade more quickly under harsh (mountains or racing) conditions. I think they are offered mainly to reduce dusting.

All, take a look at this thread from Feb/March 2004 -- the GT front pads are actually a bit different from the normally aspirated ones. Look at MX5's post in this thread for details:

http://www.ptcruiserlinks.com/forum/...rchTerms=brake

The description in the above thread is a little unclear, but it appears that the GT front pads may be 5mm thicker than the n/a pads. Since Gunner was able to use the Akebono ACT841 pads with his GT, the shape, length and width of the n/a front pads must be very similar to the GT's front pads.

Gunner or anyone using Akebono front pads on a GT, can you verify that ACT841 was the part number you used?

I have tried both the Mintex pads and the PBR/Axxis MetalMaster pads on the GT front pads. They both offer some reduction in dusting, but neither set is really dust free, so I am still searching.

Steve

[Sci-Fi]

Steve:

From the Akebono catalog:
http://204.244.250.73/cgi-bin/catwhe...ERD=L4,2.4,GAS,[b],FI,N~~~~~~~~~~~

ACT841 is the correct pad number. Can order them from Phil's: http://www.ceramicfriction.com/proactchrysler.htm at $67.35 (Tire Rack is $77.00)

[Sci-Fi]

quote:Originally posted by Gunner

... where did you get the Stoptech rotors for the GT? Everywhere I have been said they are for the regular PT and not ours. [:I]

To answer your last statement: StopTech "Big Brake" system USED TO BE listed for N/A PT's only, but if you visit the website now, the Big Brake kit, part # 82-240-2300, 83-240-2300, or 83-240-4300, is listed for BOTH N/A and Turbo. But there are no direct replacement rotors listed for either the N/A or GT. However, StopTech does list direct replacement (slotted or drilled) rotors for the SRT4 and it appears to be the correct dimensions (280mm X 28mm)for the front and slightly larger on the rear: 270mm X 12mm (SRT4) vs 260mm X 12mm (GT). Note: the stock calipers used on SRT4 and GT are the same (57mm single piston front and 36mm single piston rear). If purplept didn't have any rotor alignment (hat depth) or caliper clearance problems (larger rotor hitting the caliper) with the rear rotors, I don't see why you couldn't use those rotors on your GT.

I find it interesting the Wilwood's Big Brake system, part # 140-6376, is listed for both the PT and SRT4: http://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/Pages/05/index.asp
May have to replace your rims though with 18's or 19's with any Big Brake system. The StopTech caliper clearance I seen on a PT with 19" rims was about a 1/4-3/8".

[mangusta1969]

Sci-Fi

Thanks for the Akebono catalog link and the lower price source for these pads. Rock Auto also has the Akebono pads for about $65.79 but they were not certain of the turbo fitment.

The Akebono catalog shows the same ACT841 part number for both the N/A and Turbo cars. Other manufacturers show two different pads or indicate that they have the front N/A pad and do not have an application for the turbo cars. So what is going on here with Akebono?

Perhaps we are just giving up an extra 5mm of pad thickness (about .20 inches) that is supposed to be there on the turbo pads. I have sent an email off to Akebono Tech Support to get a little more detail from the manufacturer (pad dimensions, why only one application when others have two, etc).

I will report back to the forum what they get back to me with some information. Meanwhile I will just keep cleaning my chrome rims a little bit longer.

thanks,

Steve

[RallyDRock]

i am running wilwoods with 17" wheel. The only clearance issue w/ 17" would be due to the width of the caliper (4 pot)
squeaky, yes but whenever i pull the wheels i always clean the brakes and that keeps 'em quiet, squeaking really doesnt bother me it is only at low speeds with light brake pressure.

[purplept]

I purchased the Stoptech rotors, pads, and stainless lines directly from Stoptech. I dealt with Tom, his phone number is 310-325-4799 or visit www.stoptech.com. The parts were an exact fit on my GT. Everything bolted on without any fiddling. The rotors are sized identical to stock so the caliper geometry doesn't change. I have 19" wheels and no trouble. The front rotors cost about $100 each, rears cost $75 each, stainless front lines run $90, and the Hawk HPS pads ran about $65. However, shipping to Michigan costs $50.

I got occasional pad squeaking in front at least initially. Haven't heard any noise recently. FYI, Stoptech has paper templates available for both of their PT Big Brake kits which I can propably post or forward if there is enough interest.