When I first got my 8, the brakes were squealing. Found out it was a common problem and there was even a service bulletin put out on the issue that someone kindly posted for me. The pads on the car had previously been replaced twice, first with inexpensive ceramic pads and then later with more expensive pads in an apparent effort to correct the squealing brakes. Well, even though the pads were almost new, I ordered the kit that the service bulletin called for, from Mazda, and had them installed per the service bulletin and the rotors were machined. Within 3 days, they were squealing again and my wife and daughter won't get off my back about it.

Several people here have said they swear by Hawk Ceramic brake pads as far as no squeal and reduced dust. Are they almost certain to fix the problem? Where is the best place to get some and are there different options/price levels for them or is there just 1 set that fits the 8? How much money am I looking at? And is there anything else I need to buy to go with them (other than clear corners, body kits, painted calipers, etc? LOL)?

 

Most aftermarket sets SHOULD have less brake dust, thereby less squeal. As far as I know, Hawx Ceramics have literally no brake dust at the cost of less bite.

You can check our Fluid Motorsports page (in the vendor forums) for them.

 

Okay, thanks, found them. Now, is there anything I need to buy in addition when changing pads? I've changed my own pads years ago but I can't remember exactly how I went about it. I assume I need some sort of tool for it? Any tips on changing the pads out?

 

Search around for the DIY to changing brake pads. At the very least:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...nting+calipers

That's for painting your calipers, and has step by step instructions. You'll run pretty much the same steps just to get to your pads.

 

The only think you'll need to remember is get the tool to "Screw" the caliper back into place. I think the fronts push in and the rears screw in. At least, that's how m RX-7's were.

 

Never fear, Jedi is here!
Answers to your questions

1. Yes, they will most likely solve the sqeaking problem. I did the same as you, went through two of the OEM pads (as instructed by TSB) but the sqeaking always came back. My Hawk Ceramics = no sqeak

2. I know a few local guys have purchased these directly from Charles R. Hill
Send him a PM, he'll take care of you.

3. Just one size for our cars

4. MSRP for those pads puts you near $200 but I know CRH's prices are below MSRP

5. Nothing else needed with them but if you're doing the swap yourself, look at the DIY.

 

The forum members are extra nice today. Surprised no one lost their mind and yelled SEARCH MO FO!!!

 

we're rested from the weekend, had this been posted on a Friday...

 

Hah.

I try to be a nice guy, especially since I'm new, and soak up information like a sham-WoW.

Wait, no, sham-wow sucks.

 

Maybe I'm looking at the wrong things then. On the fluid motorsports page, it appears I can get a set of Hawk front pads for $75 - or are you saying $200 for all 4 (front and rear)? Or is the $75 for each wheel?

As for searching, I have been doing that and have found some info - still reading. So, rather than anyone losing their mind, just know I am searching for the how-to and just move on if this post annoys you.

 

I was referring to total price.
I pulled the figures from www.racingbrake.com, they have an 'msrp' listed. (which we all know is too high) I usually try to give people 'worst case scenario' pricing

 

For your benefit:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-how-change-your-rear-brake-pads-172382/

I usually bookmark any DIY that I would use once I find them.

 

Concur. Since I switched to properly bed-in Hawk Ceramic pads (and Racing Brake Sport rotors), with dabs of copper grease in all the right contact places, nary a squeal. And I've since really tried to elicit some noise, and brake dust for that matter, to no avail.

 

Okay, just to make sure I'm ordering the right thing, are these what I'm looking for:

http://www.fluidmotorsports.com/popu.../large/340.jpg

 

You need a front and a back pair, just FYI.

 

Why? It's the fronts that are squealing and there is plenty of pad left on the back.

 

Sorry, didn't see you write it was just the front pair, I had assumed it was all four.

 

Let me know what you think of them - thinking of getting same ones as well.

 

Ordered the pads from Fluid Motorsports this morning for $88 shipped and already got an email with a tracking number.

While I'm waiting for them to get here, I want to gather what I'll need to swap them out. Apparently I need a 17mm socket and/or wrench. What else do I need?

Once the caliper is disconnected, can the pads be removed and installed by hand or are tools needed?

There are only a couple hundred miles on the pads that are in there now, might I possibly get away without having to use a clamp to recess the piston?

I am not planning on removing the rotors and having them machined. Do I need to apply any cleaner or do anything else to them? Brakes are squealing even worse now so probably a lot of dust.

Do I need to buy some sort of anti-rattle grease or will the pads come with that? Or do I need need it (should already be some left on the shims)?

I don't have any jack stands and, of course, the car didn't come with a jack. I'm hoping to use the scissor jack that came with my Jeep Liberty or Dodge Ram pickup. Is there a recommended jack point on each side for the front wheels?

 

If you have the owner's manual, it'll point out the locations best suited for a jack. It's pretty much on the side, right behind the front fender panel.

Your general brake/wheel cleaner will get rid of dust on the rotors. I don't think you need to get them machined yet.

 

"I don't have any jack stands and, of course, the car didn't come with a jack"

I'm sure you have it in the trunk hidden in the secret compartment where you have to lift a black plastic part and you will find your jack stand......I thought I didnt have one either but you will find it there.......

 

Check the very well done Brake replacement DIY's.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=brake+DIY

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...=brake+pad+DIY

http://www.hi-impact.org/ryang/modif...x8_brakes.html

Get some jackstands. Never work off the jack alone!

Jack points in addition to sills:

http://www.hi-impact.org/ryang/modif...ackpoints.html

I'm sure you'll be as pleased as am I with the Hawk Ceramics.

 

NEVER work on a car without jack stands, it's just not worth the risk.

$25 at home depot: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...ctId=100594522

 

Probably so. I haven't looked in there but I was just assuming - no spare tire, no jack.

Thanks

 

Very few of us got the donut spare tire option. All of us got a jack.

But again, buy some jackstands. Safety first!!