A while back a switched my front pads to hawk hps. I immediately noticed the difference from stock and was very disappointed. The car stops fine, but I felt like I was missing that initial 'bite'. I really have to press the brakes hard to get any stopping power.

I'm wondering if I made an installation error? I bedded the pads per the instructions. I had read a similar experience when switching to the HPS.

I'm looking for a new set of pads... I've heard recommendations from padgid, ebc, and Centric.

Not really sure which I'm going with. Hell I might even switch back to oem. The dust never really bothered me.

 

I just installed a fresh set of Hawk HPS pads on the wife's Audi a few weeks ago. I had to go through the bedding procedure twice to get it close to the OEM level of initial bite.

Even after the second bedding session, I noticed a similar effect that the initial bite is somewhat less - although much improved after the second session. I think this is a byproduct of the higher heat range of the pad compound. After several personal tests, empirical evidence would suggest that the Hawk HPS pads work much better than the OEM pads after heating them up. If you are a casual driver, then this may have less value to you.

The great news is that we were trying to reduce brake dust on her wheels and these pads improved in that area exponentially.

If you are not driving aggressively and didn't mind the brake dust, there is nothing wrong with the OEM pads. FWIW, Porsche OEM are Pagid pads.

 

When you replaced the pads, did they go in against new or honed rotors? If not, you don't have fresh metal to bed in against, and it's likely your problem. If the iron is fresh, I would also recommend a second bed-in procedure. Read this please. Don't be afraid to get them hot. The HPS pad is our number one selling replacement pad and in general people are very pleased with them. Initial bite with these pads should be at least as good as OEM if bedded correctly.

 

Initial bite on HPS Pads are going to be lower than stock when cold... it's pretty common feedback (I posted about this before as well). Once warm you won't miss a thing.

As mentioned above, you should also make sure that your pads are bedded properly, and that your rotors were at minimum resurfaced. This is pretty standard procedure when installing any new set of pads.

 

I had the Hawk HPS ceramic pads with brand new R1 concepts drilled/slotted rotors. Found out on Loveland pass that no matter how hard I pressed the brake pedal, I had virtually NO stopping power. Was a bit un-nerving. Contacted Hawk(who were great to work with), sent me brand new pads, followed ALL bedding processes as before with the first set, per the instructions. Same result. And to top it off, they squeeled like no other brakes I've ever heard. 7mph or 77mph, didn't matter, they were awful. Tossed them all for Turbo S brakes with EBC reds.

 

Update:


When i installed the hawks originally, I did change the rotors at the same time. I had put close to 5k miles on the hawks.

Last night I put a set of pagid pads in the front to replace the hawks. The hawks were glazed over.

The difference with the pagids is night and day. Never going to buy the hawks again.

 

I'm thinking of using EBC discs with yellow stuff pads, thoughts or suggestions APPRECIATED!
Anyone else using this combo and happy?
Cheers
FP

 

I just switched to the EBC yellowstuff pads a couple of weeks ago. I know they are not autocross pads, but that did not stop me from using them when autocrossing. They are better than the stop padgid pads, but not as good as the Carbotech XP8 pads I was using before.

Considering that the pads are half the price and much easier to get, I think I will be using them again.