New brakes again, 9,300 mile life on the front R4S pads
After 9,300 miles it is time for new brakes again. The rotors were resurfaced and Porterfield R4S pads sanded at 5,000 miles due to pulsing. They went another 4,300 miles pretty smoothly before completely wearing through the front pads.
So two brake jobs in 10K miles. That is a LOT of maintenance, which is my second biggest complaint. The first is pulsing which when bad enough kills the braking performance and is annoying to boot.
Here is what they looked like in the front. You can see the pads are completely gone, although not metal-to-metal. The rotor surface looks slightly pitted, as if it has been abused. The pad surfaces had small chunks missing out of them. But they have only been used on the street with occasional hard stops. Not enough to get it real hot.
These R4S were 900 deg F pads, while the BP10 were 800 degree pads. A modest improvement in the pad transfer or pulsing was observed with the switch to higher temp pads. At least a step in the right direction but not good enough.
Front R4S - pads are completely gone
Front R4S rotor surface showing the appearance of hard use , pitting and heat. But the use was normal driving . . .
Front R4S - another view of pad wear
The rear R4S were much better as can be seen by the rotor surface. The pad switch from BP10 to R4S in the rear pretty much eliminated all pad transfer and pulsing issues, and the wear is very good. Probably would go 35K miles. To me this is indication the higher temperature pads are a step in the right direction. But 800F to 900F in the front wasn't enough.
Rear rotor with R4S pads doesn't look so hammered
Rear pads are in much better shape
Last edited by lifespeed; 01-24-2016 at 01:25 PM.
Reason: updated picture host
Lifespeed
2004 Silver Birch Marauder 130K miles
Wilwood Aero6 F, NMDP R brakes, Penske 7500DA shocks, Hypercoil 600lbs F and Grand Marquis R air springs, Addco tubular sway bars, Metco control & Watts, 31 sp axles, Stainless Works cat-back exhaust, Lidio tune, American Racing AR883 9.3" 50mm F 10" 59mm R 20" wheels, Pirelli P-Zero 265/35-20, 275/40-20 tires
Coming soon: Livernois 5.0L stroker, ADTR/Vortech V2 intercooled SC, Silverfox trans and Circle D converter