Great New Brakes!

[johns]

Some of you will know that I tried a set of EBC Red Stuff Ceramic pads in my MY02 STi last year, having previously used DS2500s. I was getting an average of 15 - 18k miles out of a set of DS2500s, which included track use as well. Very good overall performance and wear.

Initial thoughts were that the EBCs felt a bit wooden (ie not the same initial bite) as the Ferodos, and they did need a firmer push of the pedal to get the same levels of retardation. I thought they would improve as they bedded in, but ultimately they didn't. As you had to push the pedal quite hard, you tended to get more of an all-or-nothing effect when braking, and it was difficult to brake progressively when moving in slower traffic, or just needing a small dab of brakes before entering a corner.

The EBCs were about 45% cheaper than the DS2500s, so I persevered with them. When I had the car serviced about 6k miles later, I was informed that my front pads were worn and needed replaced []. The rears (DS2500s) were also low and starting to crumble, which wasn't bad as I did get over 40k miles from them! The rear discs, having covered 64k miles from new were also reaching their wear limit and I was advised to replace them also if I was changing the pads.

So a few weeks ago, I shopped around to find out what was available in terms of discs, pads etc, who had what in stock, how much they were (including VAT and P&P), and whether there were any SIDC discounts available.

In the end, the best deal overall was for DBA discs from Wallace Performance in Aberdeen, complete with DS2500 pads all round. As a bonus, the rear discs came grooved to match my existing fronts. They had everything in stock, and as I could collect (they are only 5 mins from my work) I also saved a bit on postage and didn't have to wait for them to get delivered. Being out most days, getting stuff delivered usually means me picking them up from the Post Office depot, or arranging a courier to re-direct to my work. I was planning to fit everything myself, having done the front pads myself a few times now, and even changed the discs twice.

I went round to speak to Russ at Wallace Performance and collect the parts, and discussed the option of getting everything fitted. Although I was confident I could do everything myself, the thought of lying on my driveway in sub-zero weather conditions at this time of the year just didn't appeal. They were quite busy and booked out a few weeks in advance, but we found a suitable date and I agreed to have them do the work.I dropped the car off first thing in the morning and went into work as normal. I am very glad that I did!

Firstly, there was a problem with one of the rear brake calipers. Being alloy calipers that had done 65k miles service without being removed, one of the mounting bolts had seized, and despite ooddles of WD40 and persuasion, the bolt was seized completely and eventually gave way. Luckily Wallace Performance have an engineering shop just a few doors along, and they took the caliper along, had the offending part drilled out, re-tapped and a new high tensile steel bolt fitted.

Secondly, there are clips inside the rear handbrake assembly to keep the shoes in place. One of these had worked loose and was mis-shapen, so wouldn't go back. Again a quick call to T&C in Aberdeen got some replacements delivered quickly.

Having removed the caliper completely, meant that the brakes had to be bled again, a task that I wouldn't have been able to do own my own without some tools that I didn't have. Despite these issues, the work was still done on time, and I was kept fully informed of progress and issues by phone, and asked before any extra work commenced.

When I went to collect the car, I was shocked to look at the EBC pads that came out. Despite only doing about 7.5k road miles, they were worn down completely, with less than 1mm of pad material left. Another week and they would have been metal to metal []

Immediately, the brakes were a massive improvement over what they were before. Although still a little spongy, I knew this would disappear as the pads and discs all bedded in. Nice and progressive, there was an instant response to touching the pedal.

This was all two weeks ago now, and I'm pleased to say that I've got the new pads and discs all bedded in nicely now with a few hundred miles of commuting on A and B roads. Response from pressing the brake pedal is fantastic at any speed, and gives you much more confidence than before. Pushing on a bit harder than I normally would on the road, I've found no evidence of fade or even the pedal going softer, which I used to get with the red stuff pads fitted.

Overall, I am very happy indeed, and can't praise Wallace Performance highly enough for their excellent work in fitting everything and coping with the issues my car threw at them , and of course the DBA discs and DS2500 pads fitted.

Roll on Knockhill on the 10th March [] 

John

 

[~ ~ Cal ~~]

Nice write up Johno.............looking for new pads / discs myself soon

CGS

 

[ANDYJDMSTI]

the DBA  kit is good, i had some on my old UK300 and the bonus was that i got them in the states for $80 a disc []

[fai17]

the DBA  kit is good, i had some on my old UK300 and the bonus was that i got them in the states for $80 a disc []

But you now have AP set up i see[]

[fai17]

Good right up John as all garages deserves their praise when a customer is kept happy.

[ANDYJDMSTI]

the DBA  kit is good, i had some on my old UK300 and the bonus was that i got them in the states for $80 a disc []

But you now have AP set up i see[]

 

Indeedy...............i think they shall be staying on albeit with larger discs when i get them back []

[scoobyiain]

Nice write up there, i'm currently searching for a good front and rear disc and pad price so will give them a try.

[johns]

Speak to Russ nicely and mention this thread and he might give you a nice SIDC discount []

[JohnSt]

John, I used EBC Red Stuff on one of your KH trackdays to try them once  (as I used Green stuff on my (much lighter) Fiesta).

Fitted them on Wednesday to bed them in, killed them at KH, new to metal in 3 hours, and as you say, they weren't even that good at stopping.  Since then I've always used Ferodo pads.

 

---john---

 

 

[steven_williams]

Last three pad changes have been with EBC red, have had good milage out of each set. Even with hard driving round the roads in Cyprus. Will have to see how they do on the DBA disc's I fit this weekend.