So, the '12 focus needs new pads (I usually do rotors too...), and from the readings, most seem pretty happy with HPS' or with Porterfields (which, I have not found for the Focus).
Street car with occasional autocross thrown in, so nice to have, but I could honestly be fine with stock replacement - I just don't want noisy brakes.
Verdict?
Other than the characteristic chirp from the rears right as you come to a stop (which is a function of the brakes, happens with all pads), the HPS on the rear of my Jeep have never made a hint of noise. Even the HP Superduty (basically HP+) I've got up front have only made a slight squeak a couple of times (although they dust like crazy, which the HPS doesn't).
Mine sure do. I have them on the front of the Mustang (Brembo package), and they squeal like a tween girl at a 21 Pilots concert.
First to find Porterfields for the focus
(Great customer service as well)
Second, I've run HPS pads on the front of the Xb without any noise concerns, that being said I wasn't floored by their performance and it was on part with akebono (yawn) and a step down from the 6 piston caliper setup that I had on the front for awhile. I have porterfields for the front and rears (drum) to be installed this winter.
My HPS pads have been silent, but the HP+ squeal like crazy.
captdownshift wrote: First to find Porterfields for the focus (Great customer service as well) Second, I've run HPS pads on the front of the Xb without any noise concerns, that being said I wasn't floored by their performance and it was on part with akebono (yawn) and a step down from the 6 piston caliper setup that I had on the front for awhile. I have porterfields for the front and rears (drum) to be installed this winter.
I did not see Focus on that page (blind? Quite possibly... which would account for my poor autox times, but I digress...), I saw Fiesta?
With your six piston caliper reference and Tom_Spangler's hi-po Mustang squeeking, sound more like big hardware makes them squeek, everybody else says they're pretty quiet.
In one of the references I saw I thought it said the Porterfields modulated better (suits my particular preference) and that HPS were a little grabby, but they should work a little better at autox than stockers, right?
EDT wrote: My HPS pads have been silent, but the HP+ squeal like crazy.
Not quite that bad but on occasion the HP+ are squealy, HPS seem pretty darned quiet. Both are a bit spooky when very cold but warm quickly and work as they should.
KyAllroad wrote: Both are a bit spooky when very cold but warm quickly and work as they should.
Agreed. Punching the brakes hard at 0* F in the small-braked Jeep is a bit scary for about a 1/2 second until the pads start to build a little heat and bite.
I have HPS on my WRX, the rally e30, and even the Sequoia. Always silent, no squeaks.
What makes the noise? I always heard it was pad material transferred to the rotor, and more a function of heavy use than pad material.
rslifkin wrote:KyAllroad wrote: Both are a bit spooky when very cold but warm quickly and work as they should.Agreed. Punching the brakes hard at 0* F in the small-braked Jeep is a bit scary for about a 1/2 second until the pads start to build a little heat and bite.
SoAZ, we rarely see 0°C, never mind that funky Fahrenheit figure, looks like I'll grab a set.
My sportx sounds like a mclaren f1. Constant squeels that go away on application. Everything is clean free and lubricated (15k miles on the hawk/brembos and theyve been clean/lubed 4 times. 8mm pad depth at least. They work great, just noisy.
sesto elemento wrote: My sportx sounds like a mclaren f1. Constant squeels that go away on application. Everything is clean free and lubricated (15k miles on the hawk/brembos and theyve been clean/lubed 4 times. 8mm pad depth at least. They work great, just noisy.
I was just about to place an order - HPS, or HP+? And what is a "sportx"? I don't want noisy... the math is mostly in favor of no squeeky, though.
sesto elemento wrote: My sportx sounds like a mclaren f1. Constant squeels that go away on application. Everything is clean free and lubricated (15k miles on the hawk/brembos and theyve been clean/lubed 4 times. 8mm pad depth at least. They work great, just noisy.
Are you sure they're HPS and not HP+?
HP+ are noisy and dusty, HPS are quiet and fairly low dust.
I've run both. HPS are fine. HP+ are for track use and they need heat. First cold application is a little unnerving. Contrary to most reports, mine never squeaked.
Ok, HPS pads in the cart, I usually do rotors at the same time, the have the basic ones for $50, "premium" for $65 made by Centric (on Summit site...) - just standard stuff, no slotted/drilled. Any good reasons to go premium or not?
And, as far as I know, with modern cars the slotted/drilled/dimpled are cosmetic really, but if for some reason I should consider, I'm open to suggestions.
Again, usage is mostly street, occasional autox.
Is it a car that likes to "warp" rotors? I've had luck with the cryo treated centric ones in the past in those sorts of applications.
In reply to codrus:
Never had any issues on the car, and I would guess that slightly upgraded pads aren't about to put the hurt on the rotors.
I think that answers my question, actually.... Thanks!
codrus wrote:sesto elemento wrote: My sportx sounds like a mclaren f1. Constant squeels that go away on application. Everything is clean free and lubricated (15k miles on the hawk/brembos and theyve been clean/lubed 4 times. 8mm pad depth at least. They work great, just noisy.Are you sure they're HPS and not HP+? HP+ are noisy and dusty, HPS are quiet and fairly low dust.
Might be.
To answer the other question, its an is300 wagon.
I ran HPS on my old 318ti (with the larger 330i brakes) and they -never- ever squeaked
I had HP+ on all four corners of my CTS-V. On my Camaro I run HP+ in front and HPS in back. My opinion of the HP+ is great cold stopping, occasional squealing but insane dust.
On my low buck, E36 track day car, I did my first weekend with HPS pads. They were okay, an improvement from stock, but not a great track pad. They were nice and quiet. I switched to HT10s for the next weekend, man, what a difference at the track. However, those HT10s are loud on the street, like Dad, can you drop me off in the back of the parking lot, loud. The HPS pads are going back on for the winter, as the car will go back into occasional DD mode. I like them for that application.
chuckles wrote: What makes the noise? I always heard it was pad material transferred to the rotor, and more a function of heavy use than pad material.
I've been in the brake industry since 1993 and we are still asking. i.e. There is not one answer that fits all situations.
And back on topic, I had hawk HPS on my '96 probe gt after the Porterfield R4S's wore out. Both materials were dead quiet on that car, both front and rear.
I have run HP+ on the front of a 96 civic for 10 years or so (stock ish rear pads) after I experienced a little fade with HPS. HP+ are as dusty as the desert and they discolored my silver HX wheels kinda pinkinsh. The car has the 99-00 SI bigger front/disk rear set up. In my application, they are spooky when its cold (40 or below... ish) on the first stooooo p. Enough so that I ride the brakes for a block a little out of habit to get some heat in them. Mayby I'm just lucky, but I stopped have sqeeeling issues on any car when I started making sure the oem setup (clips,pins, backing plates, whatever) are all in good shape and installed where they are supposed to be and I use a healthy amount of real brand anti sqeel goop where it is supposed to go.
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