Good afternoon rotorheads.

I am happy to report that in 1 year and 13000 miles, I haven't had to do anything to my RX8 except keep fluids fresh. However, after a few DEs and AutoX the brake pads have had it. I am not a mechanic, but through careful, slow work and research (the search button usually works wonders) I usually succeed with projects like this.

I want to know if I am missing anything here. I plan to buy the following:
1) Hawk HPS pads, from TireRack (is there a better option for pads/vendor?)
2) Piston turning tool from Autozone
3) Brake pad grease stuff from Autozone.

I already have channel-lock pliers and a good quality torque wrench.

I am considering putting in some speed-bleeders, and if you guys think they are worth it (which seems to be the consensus) then I need the following info that I couldn't find definitively here:
1) What part # speed bleeders do I order?
2) Where do I order from?

Finally, if anyone has the shop procedure in .pdf or something, and is feeling charitable, I would be grateful.

 

There is a DIY for changing the pads. Check it out.

 

You'll need something more than HPS for HPDE events...can't comment on autocross as I don't do that with the car.

 

Yup- I read the DIY and it pretty much takes care of everything. I guess the main questions are about the choice of pad and vendor, the correct part #s for speed bleeders (there are arguments about it and I don't like guessing wrong) and where to order the speed bleeders from (and to see if anyone has the procedure in pdf).

Red Devil- I hope to get another HPDE or two in this year (god I need to make some $) and so far I did the others on stock pads. I felt pretty good on those, are the Hawk HPSs inferior to stock for this application? I am totally open to suggestions on this. The car will still be primarily a daily driver, and hopefully find its way to an event here or there.

 

Sorry for another post- I've been looking at the summit racing site trying in vain to find speedbleeders on there. Am I seriously this inept?

Also did some more reading here, and it seems the Axxis Ultimate pads on the adrenaline racing site might fit the bill for me better.

 

I know a forum member that uses the Ultimates for HPDE events and has no complaints.

My front track pads are Carbotech XP8 (250-1250 degree range) and my rear are Bobcats (0-900 degree range). For the street, I swap out and put Bobcats on the front.

 

I ordered the parts a few days ago. I wanted to overnight them, but I am beyond broke as it is. I am really excited to be working on a car again, its been quite awhile. At least in Miami my hands won't freeze to the car (this did happen to me once on my last car).

I plan to make a nice DIY out of this project with LOTS of pictures and with everything dumbed down to my level. Even I can successfully complete projects with enough time and refreshments.

The only bad thing is that I will be using the emergency jack, because my floorjack broke, in part because it was cheap, and in part because it was left out in the elements (I didn't realize that the garage it was in was so permeable).

I will update!!!! yay.

 

Please put up some pics, I really want to learn to do it myself as well

I know theres a DIY , but Im an idiot, didnt ppl said a picture worth a thousand words ?

Thx in advance

 

UPDATE- all of the parts are here. I am stopping at autozone to get the piston turning tool and some brake pad/piston grease stuff too. And then its time for some serious fun! I promise you will all like my DIY.

 

Bad mistake!

All you need is a needle nose pliers.

Use that on the rear pistons. Save money.

Also you should have bought Porterfield brakes.

Much better.

Also better on the rotors.

When your rotors warp or ware out don't me for you jumping the gun in your research on Brake pads.

Suggestion:

While your at it replace your fluid. DOt 4 Castrol

 

I put in ATE Superblue right after I bought it. Or more correctly, somebody put it in for me.