Poor brake performance--Fixed!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Poor brake performance--Fixed!
I installed stainless braided brake lines and bled the brakes. Still bad brakes. I replaced the master cylinder and pumped out all the old fluid, still bad brakes. I disabled the ABS, still bad brakes. I re-enabled the ABS, still bad brakes. I cycled the ABS in gravel, still bad brakes. I autocrossed in 55 degree weather on 8 year old Motorkraft worthless tires and couldn't stop hard enough to get the ABS to kick on or slip a tire.
I emailed Adam at Carbotech brakes, he recommended AX6 compound pads. I slapped them on the car and BLAMMO! Brakes baby! The difference is absolutely astounding. I've since put four fresh Nitto NT555's on the car and can put myself through the windshield at will with the brakes. I never thought the pad compound mattered that much, after all you are clamping with all that force. I now stand corrected and will tell anyone suffering from lousy brakes that Carbotech pads will get you stopped in a hurry. Thanks Adam!
I emailed Adam at Carbotech brakes, he recommended AX6 compound pads. I slapped them on the car and BLAMMO! Brakes baby! The difference is absolutely astounding. I've since put four fresh Nitto NT555's on the car and can put myself through the windshield at will with the brakes. I never thought the pad compound mattered that much, after all you are clamping with all that force. I now stand corrected and will tell anyone suffering from lousy brakes that Carbotech pads will get you stopped in a hurry. Thanks Adam!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Read your thread with great interest as I am not satisfied with my
brakes, even though all components are new.
Accessed the Carbotech site, specifically the AX6 info only to find
that Carbotech doesn't recommend AX6 for the street:
Carbotech™ AX6™
The AX6™ is specifically engineered for Autocross applications. A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range of 50°F to 1000°F + (10°C to 537°C+). The advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial bite, high coefficient of friction at lower temperatures along with very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. Many drivers use the AX6™ for street driving as well, even though Carbotech™ doesn't recommend street driving with AX6™ due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise. AX6™ is NOT recommended as a race compound in most applications.
brakes, even though all components are new.
Accessed the Carbotech site, specifically the AX6 info only to find
that Carbotech doesn't recommend AX6 for the street:
Carbotech™ AX6™
The AX6™ is specifically engineered for Autocross applications. A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range of 50°F to 1000°F + (10°C to 537°C+). The advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial bite, high coefficient of friction at lower temperatures along with very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. Many drivers use the AX6™ for street driving as well, even though Carbotech™ doesn't recommend street driving with AX6™ due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise. AX6™ is NOT recommended as a race compound in most applications.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Correct, the AX6 is considered an Autocross pad. I explained that my car is a cruiser and an autocrosser that sees only about 1000 to 1500 miles a year and the AX6 pad was the recommended pad. If it was more of a daily driver I think Adam would have recommended a less dusty pad.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
From what I have read, if you want to stop quickly, be prepared to clean the dust from the wheels. There was a Corvette factory guy who posted often on CF about the braking difference using 'dirty' pads vs.ceramic. He was totally in favor of the dusty pads.
I would be interested in learning how much dust you are seeing
after a few weeks of braking.
These are my wheels, and at 82, I really don't need more car care:
I would be interested in learning how much dust you are seeing
after a few weeks of braking.
These are my wheels, and at 82, I really don't need more car care:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,170
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Nice!
Spend the money correctly, and you learn some valuable lessons.
Remember to mark those new tires with the valve stem location.
Then watch as the tire rotates on the wheel.
The fronts will clock from hard braking and the rears from acceleration.
This helps when trying to diagnose tire balance issues later on....
Spend the money correctly, and you learn some valuable lessons.
Remember to mark those new tires with the valve stem location.
Then watch as the tire rotates on the wheel.
The fronts will clock from hard braking and the rears from acceleration.
This helps when trying to diagnose tire balance issues later on....
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Monroe County Michigan
Nice!
Spend the money correctly, and you learn some valuable lessons.
Remember to mark those new tires with the valve stem location.
Then watch as the tire rotates on the wheel.
The fronts will clock from hard braking and the rears from acceleration.
This helps when trying to diagnose tire balance issues later on....
Spend the money correctly, and you learn some valuable lessons.
Remember to mark those new tires with the valve stem location.
Then watch as the tire rotates on the wheel.
The fronts will clock from hard braking and the rears from acceleration.
This helps when trying to diagnose tire balance issues later on....
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Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,279
Likes: 517
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
I installed stainless braided brake lines and bled the brakes. Still bad brakes. I replaced the master cylinder and pumped out all the old fluid, still bad brakes. I disabled the ABS, still bad brakes. I re-enabled the ABS, still bad brakes. I cycled the ABS in gravel, still bad brakes. I autocrossed in 55 degree weather on 8 year old Motorkraft worthless tires and couldn't stop hard enough to get the ABS to kick on or slip a tire.
I emailed Adam at Carbotech brakes, he recommended AX6 compound pads. I slapped them on the car and BLAMMO! Brakes baby! The difference is absolutely astounding. I've since put four fresh Nitto NT555's on the car and can put myself through the windshield at will with the brakes. I never thought the pad compound mattered that much, after all you are clamping with all that force. I now stand corrected and will tell anyone suffering from lousy brakes that Carbotech pads will get you stopped in a hurry. Thanks Adam!
I emailed Adam at Carbotech brakes, he recommended AX6 compound pads. I slapped them on the car and BLAMMO! Brakes baby! The difference is absolutely astounding. I've since put four fresh Nitto NT555's on the car and can put myself through the windshield at will with the brakes. I never thought the pad compound mattered that much, after all you are clamping with all that force. I now stand corrected and will tell anyone suffering from lousy brakes that Carbotech pads will get you stopped in a hurry. Thanks Adam!
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,279
Likes: 517
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Read your thread with great interest as I am not satisfied with my
brakes, even though all components are new.
Accessed the Carbotech site, specifically the AX6 info only to find
that Carbotech doesn't recommend AX6 for the street:
Carbotech™ AX6™
The AX6™ is specifically engineered for Autocross applications. A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range of 50°F to 1000°F + (10°C to 537°C+). The advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial bite, high coefficient of friction at lower temperatures along with very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. Many drivers use the AX6™ for street driving as well, even though Carbotech™ doesn't recommend street driving with AX6™ due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise. AX6™ is NOT recommended as a race compound in most applications.
brakes, even though all components are new.
Accessed the Carbotech site, specifically the AX6 info only to find
that Carbotech doesn't recommend AX6 for the street:
Carbotech™ AX6™
The AX6™ is specifically engineered for Autocross applications. A high torque brake compound delivering reliable and consistent performance over a very wide operating temperature range of 50°F to 1000°F + (10°C to 537°C+). The advanced compound matrix provides an excellent initial bite, high coefficient of friction at lower temperatures along with very progressive brake modulation and release characteristics. Many drivers use the AX6™ for street driving as well, even though Carbotech™ doesn't recommend street driving with AX6™ due to possible elevated levels of dust and noise. AX6™ is NOT recommended as a race compound in most applications.
You should look at the 1521 for just street use. The AX6 is going to be dusty and make some noise. If interested give me a call 216-780-8825.
Carbotech™ 1521™
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
and ACDeclco on the rear. I can stop, but not as quickly as desired.
My '04 Expedition stops quicker than the '92 vette.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Update on the Carbotechs: they are squeaky and dirty and golldang do they stop like a mother.
Running an auto-x next weekend and am seriously looking forward using to the car's newfound stopping ability.
Running an auto-x next weekend and am seriously looking forward using to the car's newfound stopping ability.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Adam's post above regarding the 1521 pads. Don't need the dust, but sure glad you have solved your stopping problem. Good luck with the auto-x.