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Thank you for this feedback, I will add it to my spreadsheet and forward on. I do hope that the shims do enough to eliminate the noise to an adequate amount, as you say being performance brakes there will often be some noise but at the looks of it its just far too much!OK, I had the pads installed last week. Full disclosure, EBC sent me some shims but the brakes were already installed, missed opportunity by 1 day. Also, the dealer could not resurface my rotors like the tech said they could, so there is that as well. I always have my rotors resurfaced when new pads go on (or rotors replaced if needed). I usually replace my own brakes but the timing just sucked this time around.
My OEM brakes had a lot of meat on them still and the rotors did not have any visible grooves, heat spots or glazing.
Here is my take on the EBC pads so far:
Like most high performance brakes, you can expect some noise. Unfortunately, this is just too much for my liking. I am going to get the rotors resurfaced and shims installed and try it again. If they are still too noisy after that, I will look for another solution (OEM?)
- They grip really, really good. I ran around some secluded streets testing them doing 80-0 mph
- I was surprised that the ABS allowed all four wheels to lock up a few times
- There is a noticeable amount of superior braking capabilities with the EBC pads
- I caught myself being surprised a few times during normal operation on how quick the pads bit into the rotor and slowed the truck down
- The pads are loud! Like city-bus type of loud (maybe even louder). I regret not getting the shims sooner and not turning the rotors like planned, because I am sure it would make some difference
What is the noise-factor on your rig with the shims installed? Scale from 1 - 10.I’m getting the ST pads and shims installed today. I will be taking a 600 mile road trip this weekend and will provide an update after. Fingers crossed the shims eliminate the noise others have mentioned
Update: Pads and titanium shims installed!
The new ST-Series pads that are being tested are based on our SR-Series race formula which are seeing tremendous results on the track (a place where noise is no issue), and the ED+ pads are a reformulated version of our original Extra Duty pads, but now longer lasting and better friction. Every year we reform and improve our pad formulas, you are right that red will be a quieter compound than yellow but our newest yellow is also much quieter than before and in street conditions makes barely any/ no noise at all in most cases
With the shims installed they still squeal when coming to a stop and are pretty loud. I would say as loud as a garbage truck and loud enough at traffic lights that people look. Not sure it that helps you or not.
Thank you for taking the time to let us know your initial 6 day review, all of this was done with the shims on, correct?
I have since driven 1,400 miles with the ST pads and front shims and while they do stop very quickly and consistent they still make a lot of noise when braking below 10-15 mph. These pads are great for higher speed applications with no brake fade but with minimal stop and go driving. My kids thought a garbage truck was in front of our house when pulling up to my garage. The ST pad compound seems harder than the factory rotors and are wearing the rotors down instead of the pads.
Great write-up. I changed my pads back to OEM, the noise was just too bad.
Sorry I was not able to do any brake tests for you before I went back to factory pads. My shop is .5 miles away on a 25 mph road. Like you, I am disappointed in the performance of the factory pads after experiencing the ST pads. But I did not want to drive my truck due to the squeal before so I am back to enjoying my truck again (although not as aggressively as before lol).
Yes. Even with titanium shims and tons of grease these are not for daily use. Unless you like your truck to squeal like Ned Beatty in Deliverance.
Carbotech will make pads if someone will send them a set of pads so they can cut backing plates.
