January 08, 2013

Despite the low mileage on the crossover, the OEM rotors started to generate vibration at any speed when brake was applied. It was particularly disturbing while at high speeds, so I replaced the rotors to Power Slot Alloy Cryo-treated rotors and pads to Akebono ProACT ceramic pads. I am happy with the rotors, and I expect them to be more resistant to warping than stock. However, the Akebono pads don t have the same "grip" that the OEM pads did. I have to press the pedal more forcefully to achieve similar deceleration as before. My wife observed the same issue and mentioned it to me without me asking or mentioning it, so I am not the only one disturbed by this. Now, I don t know if this means the braking distance is also reduced or not (it most probably is) but I am not particularly happy with this outcome. Particularly, since I actually asked this very question to a Tire Rack representative before purchasing the pads who assured me that the pads would provide stronger braking than OEM. I generally have high regard for Tire Rack, but I am displeased with the misinformation and the final outcome. I hope I won t have to make any emergency stops in the near future, and I will replace these pads with the stock pads that Mazda supplies probably sooner than the Akebono pads will need to be. It is probably worth mentioning that the Car and Driver Magazine had rated the stock brakes on the CX-9 as excellent. The shoes that the rotor/pad combination I fitted on the CX-9 supposed to fill were rather large to begin with. So keep this in mind when you read this review. And if you own a CX-9, using OEM will be a good option.

November 22, 2012

I put on this combination of the Akebono pads and Brembo rotors on the front wheels of my Camry in 2007. They re now ready to come off, at 99,000 miles of use without a problem. The pads still have a fair amount of life, but I ve recently started getting some pedal pulsing during high speed braking. I m assuming the rotors have worn thin enough to have warped a little. I can t say enough good about these pads/rotors -- good pedal feel, no brake noise, almost no brake dust, and good stopping power. Needless to say, I ll stick with this combination in the future.

April 17, 2012

the Akebono ProACT Ceramic Pads are an awesome improvement over the OEM stock alternatives for a few bucks more. Installed Fall of 08 and they re still going strong, just inspected and I have a lot of pad left, granted I dont brake hard or drive that much. The rotors I bought are rusting on the insides but I need to brake harder as the truck sits outside and I live in Northern IL. Mechanic advised to brake harder to clear the rust build up off. The pads are really quiet compared to the OEMs. Fade Resistance is hard for me to gauge with my truck. Pads leave virtually no dust, and I m very happy with them.