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As usual Karl, you are always a pioneer! I just put R4S pads on my 06 Vantage, and since they are the older 4 pot Brembo's there are no "metal discs" on mine, but after looking at them and some of the other high end large caliper applications, I am curious to them as well. The first thought that crosses my mind is some sort of resonance absorption damper. Perhaps a bimetallic lump of metal to help dampen any vibration and thus keep squealing to a minimum. Sound reasonable? I did a search on a few forums but to no avail. I am just speculating based on a hunch. I am curious how you got the steering wheel off! I have needed to have mine recovered since I got the car 2 years ago, but have not put that much effort into getting it off. Any tips on removal would be appreciated!
Artie
Originally Posted by karlfranz
Well, I couldn't take it any more. I don't know what it is about Brembo, but they seem to make some of the dustiest pads I have ever seen for a car. One drive and the tires, wheels and calipers are covered in a dark layer of soot. My wheels are anthracite so it doesn't show as much as on silver wheels, but it does give it a matte finish. The bright yellow calipers, however, show how totally filthy everything gets.
So, thanks to Stuart, I just got a set of R4-S pads for my GT4. Installation was a breeze as usual, but I do have a few observations:
The pads are larger than the OEM pads. Most of the increased size is in the area nearest the hub. This means that more of the pad backing plate shows outside the caliper. Not really a big deal, and it doesn't seem to affect anything.
Each new pad has two thick silver metal discs on the trailing edge. Not sure I know what the heck those are for.
The R4-S pads come with metal shims. The OEM pads have a composite, cloth-like shim and the rear pads (but not the fronts) have metal shims on top of that as well.
I applied a thin layer of blue anti-squeal paste to the back of each new pad's metal shim.
I also removed the metal shims from the OEM rear pads and attached them to the new pads. They have an adhesive layer to keep them from moving around. I didn't remove the existing shims which means it now has a double-thickness shim for each pad like the OEM ones did.
The new six-piston front pads are not mirrored. All four individual pads are identical and that means that the slot for the wear sensor is at the bottom of the inboard pad on one side of the car and on the top of the inboard pad on the other. Not a big deal. I simply tied back the excess sensor wire length on the driver side brakes using a cable tie.
The rear pads are matched pairs with only the inboard pads having the wear sensor slot. Again, the pads are not mirrored so the slot is at the bottom one one side and the top on the other.
There is no bedding-in procedure necessary for the R4-S pads. Just install and go. Unlike pads others here have recommended, there is no 500 mile period of squealing before they quiet down. These pads are quiet from mile one.
The dust is dramatically less. I took the car out tonight and did a few hard stops and the drove for about 40 miles. This kind of drive would have made my calipers look filthy with the Brembo pads. However, they looked spotless. Very pleased.
As usual, here are a few pics:
R4-S pads left, Brembo right
R4-S pads bottom, Brembo top (notice size difference)
I am curious how you got the steering wheel off! I have needed to have mine recovered since I got the car 2 years ago, but have not put that much effort into getting it off. Any tips on removal would be appreciated!
Artie
I had a little bit of time to play with my car projects recently. I had made a custom Alcantara shift boot, so I installed it with the DBS alloy shift **** and plate. While I was at it, I decided to cover the two trim panels closest to the windshield in matching Alcantara and for good measure, I did the airbag cover as well.
Here are a few pics:
Karl, That airbag wrapped in Alcantara looks fantastic! I've got my steering wheel out getting recovered and I'd love to cover the airbag also. Can you please give some more details regarding how you did this? Does that center "button?" pop off or are you just trimming the material around it? Just removing the airbag on my car was hair-raising enough for me so I didn't want to start prying on anything without a little more information. The interior of your new car is one of the more impressive color combinations I've seen in an A.M.. Really cool. Congrats!
Karl, That airbag wrapped in Alcantara looks fantastic! I've got my steering wheel out getting recovered and I'd love to cover the airbag also. Can you please give some more details regarding how you did this? Does that center "button?" pop off or are you just trimming the material around it? Just removing the airbag on my car was hair-raising enough for me so I didn't want to start prying on anything without a little more information. The interior of your new car is one of the more impressive color combinations I've seen in an A.M.. Really cool. Congrats!
Recovering the airbag crash pad is not something I could condone someone else attempt due to the inherent dangers. However, I can provide you with some info.
The airbag cover is a singular piece of rubberized material that is covered in leather. The cover and the leather are scored so they will tear open easily if the unit discharges. The airbag itself and its explosive charge are contained in a hard plastic and metal housing which is attached to the cover via fourteen clips that are very tricky to release. The design is really not meant to be undone once assembled without the use of a proper tool.
The ring on the front of the cover (silver, graphite or black depending on model) is made of aluminum and is pressed in the cover and held in place via 4 riveted studs that must be ground off in order to remove. Once removed, you need to come up with an alternate method to fasten the ring since you can't buy the piece individually.
The AM logo in the center is made out of extremely flimsy metal and is held in place by 4 tabs on the back of the logo that are simply bent back.
If you cover the airbag with any material you must make sure that it is scored properly along the existing lines to allow the unit to deploy properly in the event of an accident.
Great looking ride! Question regarding the GT wheels; is it the same as the sportpack/N420 wheels? I am thinking about powdercoating my wheels to the same shade as yours.
They are the same as the second generation Sport Pack lightweight wheels but were only made available in full anthracite as an added-cost option for the GT. They are normally available in silver or diamond turned for other Vantage models.
