Any experience with Wagner Thermo-Quiet Brake Pads

[perfect]

Hey everyone,

My front brake pads need to be replaced and I'm not sure if I want to bring them to the dealership to have them replaced (for $300 and with a limited warranty I believe)

or

take them to Midas. Midas said they have had great results with their Wagner Thermo-Quiets (which, also have a LIFETIME warranty).

This is the first "nice" car I've ever owned and I'm not sure if Midas will do a quality job but the price/value of the Midas pads seems to trump anything else I can do.

I am not capable of installing these pads myself. Does anyone have any experience with these pads or know why I should stay away from Midas?

[urbanski]

hawk pads from lindsay cadillac -->
DIY if you're willing, solid 3 of 10 job. indy shop if not.

[perfect]

Originally Posted by urbanski

hawk pads from lindsay cadillac -->
DIY if you're willing, solid 3 of 10 job. indy shop if not.

thanks for the input Urb, that's definitely something I'm considering as well

No DIY for me and the most of the shops near me want to charge $$$ for the install...

Kansas isn't very "sports car" friendly.

[whisler151]

Originally Posted by perfect

Does anyone have any experience with these pads

I have those same pads. I put them in myself, its not that tough of a job. Took maybe an hour.

I really like them. Not much difference from the stock pads. They perform very well.

[perfect]

follow-up question

is it necessary to get my front rotors turned now (car has 45k miles). I have no service history so I don't know if these are the original non-turned rotos.

Sorry I'm such a noob to brakes!!

[whisler151]

Originally Posted by perfect

follow-up question

is it necessary to get my front rotors turned now (car has 45k miles). I have no service history so I don't know if these are the original non-turned rotos.

Sorry I'm such a noob to brakes!!

I would say yes. I had 30k miles on my fronts, and had to have them turned. It ran me $15/rotor plus the pads. Not a bad deal...if you have jack stands and a few wrenches you can do it yourself. I had never done this before but with the aide of Cadillacfaq.com I was able to knock it out.

EDIT: My rear rotors and pads are stock. 33k miles on my '07.

[2004ctsv]

I've always been wary of lifetime brake pads.

Either the pads wear or the rotor does.
Both are easy to change but the rotors cost 4X as much (or more).

HPS and power slot rotors all round on my G35 - much smoother and quicker stops over stock. It's how I'll go if the V ever needs a brake job.

BTW - check on Tirerack site for parts and installers in your area

[PISNUOFF]

If you can change a tire, you can change these brake pads. The only other tool you need is a punch and a small hammer. You can compress the pistons by hand before you remove the old pads and they slide right in and out. I change pads only in 15 minutes. It takes me 45 to change pads and rotors. BTW, I don't use any power tools either. You can jack the car up high enough to change the front and rear at the same time.

To be able to tell if you need your rotors turned, you have to measure them. If you're not having any vibration when stopping and if there is not a large 'lip' at the outer edge of the rotors, I'd guess that you do not need them turned.

[whisler151]

Originally Posted by PISNUOFF

If you can change a tire, you can change these brake pads. The only other tool you need is a punch and a small hammer. You can compress the pistons by hand before you remove the old pads and they slide right in and out. I change pads only in 15 minutes. It takes me 45 to change pads and rotors. You can jack the car up high enough to change the front and rear at the same time.

Yeah, the rotors are what take a while. I hate that long bolt that holds the calipers on.

If its just the pads it should be 15-30 minutes. Not bad at all.

[ctsv154]

Speaking from a performance biased opinion, the Wagners don't even come close to the stock pads. In fact they are junk for aggressive drivers. Now if you drive like a granny they will be fine. Hard stops from anything over 75 gets you poor, faded stops. Hard stops from 140+ wont even get you to 100 before you get brake fade. This is with good brake fluid and Ti shims between the caliper and the pad.

[SS from the "Wood"]

any updates for this thread out there? looking to go "less is more" myself, but am having a hard time making a decision...

[whisler151]

Originally Posted by SS from the "Wood"

any updates for this thread out there? looking to go "less is more" myself, but am having a hard time making a decision...

Mine are still doing well! Although next time i'll spend the $30 for Hawks with less brake dust. They are pretty much the same as stock as far as dust is concerned.

Performance wise, I cant tell a difference between them and stock. Great pad.

[perfect]

I was the OP who started this thread and I was happy with the performance of the Wagners.

I recently upgraded to slotted/drilled rotors on all 4 corners and put on some Hawk pads I got for cheap on our forums.

I kept my old Wagners because they worked so well and are still in good condition

[MIKEC]

iI RECENTLY PUT ON A SET ALL AROUND BECAUSE THERE WERE NO HAWKS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME HAD THEM ON FOR ABOUT 2000 MILES THE FRONT PADS DUST TOO MUCH.I FINALLY FOUND SOME HAWKS AND TOOK THEM OFF.