All,

Once upon a time... I was a huge fan of Carbotech brake pads and their products. When I installed them on my previous Vantage with brand new Brembo Rotors, I had a very positive experience (perhaps deceptively so). They were completely silent and braked quite well.

Naturally, this time around I opted to get another set of the Bobcat 1521 pads. Assuming all was well I purchased them and then installed them on my stock set of existing rotors (which still have plenty of life left on them). Much to my horror... they went from being the most quiet pads ever last time, to utterly terrible this time. Carbotech neglected to mention that the rotors had to be turned (machined down) and that I could not just bed them in with the new pads and after a few days it would be fine. They ended up mentioning that sometimes it can take MONTHS worth of driving in order to get rid of the horrendous squeal (it sounded like a bunch of pigs being waterboarded in Guantanamo bay).

To my shock, I assumed they would stand by their product only to find out not only would they not stand behind their product, but they kept coming up with BS excuse after BS excuse trying to absolve themselves of any legitimate responsibility. Furthermore they started contradicting their own story claiming the bobcats do not have any break in procedure, when a few years prior they had specifically said 50-30mph 6-8x then cool down (repeat if necessary). I think they were just trying to blame it on "user error" instead of fessing up to an incompatible product. They then ended their response with (in an almost sarcastic way): "Good Luck!" ... (Translation: not our problem)

I then tried to contact them 3 more times, no responses. It became clear they completely dropped the ball and not only did they not provide any instructions with the pads, but they provided no warning of the necessary procedures to machine/turn the rotors down and etc.

After basically getting screwed, I opted to do the one thing I have never done in my life before and was forced to do a CC chargeback. I have never ever come close to doing a chargeback, but I honestly had no choice. Their lack of professionalism and terrible customer service honestly was inexcusable and uncalled for. They only finally contacted me after the CC company contacted them regarding the issue and they said they would not give a refund unless I returned the Carbotech pads. When I did and contacted them weeks later regarding the refund that was non-existent ... again zero response. Luckily at this point the CC had enough proof and issue the chargeback anyways. I had to wait a full 60 days to write this review in hopes that they would come through and stand by their product. But now that they have basically proven they refuse to stand by their product I had no choice but to share my honest negative experience and retract my support for their products. Never have I gone from so satisfied to so unsatisfied with a specific product in my life.

HOWEVER, There is one very good silver lining to this story though... had they not completely dropped the ball, I never would have stumbled upon the perfect cure for our Aston brake squeal problems... and much to my surprise it is by far the most cost effective option I have used to date. (Full BG Stop Squeal write-up coming shortly).

I am sharing this story for others who were on the fence about trying to solve our frustrating brake squeal issues by switching brake pads... Don't ... there is a much simpler and easier solution (BG Stop Squeal). If you are thinking about going with Carbotech pads, I would not recommend it at all for existing stock rotors.

Caveat Emptor: Buyer Beware... lesson learned

Hope that helps,
007

 

They are refurbishing a set of pads for my DBS with the 1521 compound.

Other than the squeal, did the compound damage your rotors or anything else with the brake mechanism?

Since the original pads squeal like stuck pigs, I would not hold them liable for eliminating squeal which even Brembo cannot eliminate. If you have steel rotors you do have to turn them to get them smooth...

Sorry for your experience. I have been dealing with Adam in getting my DBS pads refurbished and he has told me that the new pads he is making may not eliminate the squeal, but I have CC rotors and do not have to turn them.

Given that you did not turn your steel rotors you might reconsider things...I can sympathize with bad customer service - I am sure we've all experienced something similar.

 

My recommendation is to put BG stop squeal on the updated pads you are getting as well and hope for the best. If you put BG stop squeal it may reduce it, but the fundamental problem is their specific compound is not compatible with any other brake pad compound (and is even not compatible with certain types of steel rotors).

 

Is there any concern of it contaminating the rotors?

 

Especially with CC rotors...

 

Regarding mixing compounds or using BG?

With stock rotors that already have stock deposits on rotors in theory no there shouldn't be. When you start mixing compounds (as I quickly learned)... Nasty things can start happening.

 

Don't even THINK about putting this stuff on your DBS pads unless you are ready, willing and able to cough up mega bucks to replace the CCM rotors is there is a compatibility problem.

 

I agree. Check out the information on post #8.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...al-issues.html

 

BG stop squeal is not for carbon rotors, this is only for steel rotors, thought you were running steel rotors on your DB.

 

Well I definitely do not want to mess up my rotors.

I will be installing the pads that they make when they arrive. Will let everyone know of my experience with the 1521 compound.

 

This can be a frustrating situation. however, my only experience has been on race cars, as all my street cars have had no issues. performance pads can be nasty, If you don't bed them properly. 60mph to 30 is the recommended processs, but usually falls short of doing anything. the power required (and heat) to really bed the pads, goes up with the square of speed. so, 120 to 60, is 4x the heat/power. and you are doing it a lot longer too. they cant recommend it, because the are advising breaking the speed limit. but even on some factory videos, you can see their "corvette" going 100mph to 50 repeatedly.
so, I would bet you can bed them, but it means much more aggressive beding especially for stock used rotors and performance pads. ive been racing on brembos for many many years, and its no the calipers. its the pads and rotor mixed with break in. the only pad I couldn't get to stop squeaking on the street was the pagid black racing pads. (RS14s), however they wouldn't squeak if they were not very hot or cold. once the warmed up , they squealed under medium braking. at the track, not a peep at 750 degrees!


I bought a set of the carbotech brake pads from someone on the list hear. my rotors are used. (have a little lip on the edges) so, ill mount them up in the next year or so and report how the break in goes.


But, if you are really serious about breaking in the pads. find a long streatch of hyway. do 100mph to 60mph 5 times. then rest. (take the off ramp and return direction) then go 100 and apply the brake, while simultaneously applying full throttle too ,and in a few seconds the pads will fade, and then release. do that again for a few times. the smell of the pads should be like a smoke bomb went off in the car. THATS when they are bedded. cool down for a mile or so.
This will make the rotors and pads a matched pair.


Or, if you have time/interest and money, take the car to the race track and run a few laps. that will do it naturally too.

 

I think I have posted it here before or may be not
I have carbotech 1521 on my DB9. I put them on when it had 14000 miles or so, replaced original squeaky, lot of dusty pads with carbotech sand now I am at 29000 miles. No problems at all, did not have to turn or resurface the rotors.

Last weekend I replaced my 2011 gallardo original pads with carbotech 1521, at 8500 miles. I did that just to lower the dust. Again no resurfacing the rotors. Working flawlessly, less dust, no noise at all, excellent braking as good as original.

I wonder if OP HAD some defective pads and carbotech should have refunded his money or replaced them.

 

I tried everything, they just weren't an optimal solution. I have since switched to RacingBrake for all of my braking needs and I have never been happier.

You should definitely check them out for both 2-piece steel, CCB, and brake pad needs