~CL500~

The time has come yet again to replace my brakes. For the past 20K or so miles I've used stock rotors and EBC Red pads and have been pleased with the performance, BUT I like change and figured lets try something different.

I've heard good feedback on Zimmermann and Akebono so I took the plunge from autopartswarehouse.com and picked up a front and rear set. I'll post some feedback after the install and break-in period.

~CL500~

Pads and rotors installed this past weekend. The hardest part was removing the torx rotor screw on each rotor because it was seized on pretty good. Tapping and penetrating oil didn't work either. Ended up ruining the screw by using a brake pad pin tool and a hammer hitting it counter clockwise until it freed up. What was funny was the rears came off pretty easy.

Bedded the brakes in with a few, gradual 40mph stops and drove today about 70 miles. They're pretty quiet and have a nice pedal feel to them. I'm guessing they'll improve a bit more over the next few hundred miles, but so far so good though.

DLaxCL500

...just got pads UPS from Tire Rack for both cars; going on this weekend. Not switching rotors out - yet...

~CL500~

Well, I have a little under 900 miles on the new pads and rotors now. I know this has been said on the forum repeatedly about Akebono pads, but I am truly amazed at the lack of brake dust on my wheels. They're still clean!

Braking feel is just about the same as the EBC RedStuff pads and stock rotors I had before, only with less brake dust.

So far, I'm very pleased.

dynomite05

Akebono's are the best!

db103

~CL500~...where did you buy your akebono pads?

dynomite05

Try Tirerack

~CL500~

www.autopartswarehouse.com

Das Geld 2

There's no break in procedure for Akebono. It says that on their own instructions

~CL500~

I don't recall seeing anything like that, but I'll take your word for it.