Rear Brake Pads - Ceramic

[spta97]

~ Great question.

I feel the stock pads were very dusty after a short period of driving. Something I refuse to deal with on a daily basis.

The reduction in brake dust is indeed apparent with the change of pads. However, I’m on the fence with the comparisons between the Powerstop Z16 and Z26 compounds. Since I have used both on my Supra ... I was expecting to see a distinctive difference between the two types and I’m not sure I’m seeing this with city driving.

The other challenge is ... the wheels are black in color and it’s tough to determine if it’s road dust or brake dust that’s accumulating.

I’d like to call the manufacturer and ask a few questions regarding the compound differences in real brake dust reduction.

I believe the major difference is the stainless steel backing plates. Though they do claim as “zero dust”

I’m looking for time to get them out of the to do pile and into the car.

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[Andrew4Supra]

~ Well after seeing the differences in material compounds & dust reduction ... I elected to switch from the Z16 (low dust) to the Z26 (near zero dust) pads.

I’ve added some pics of the new pads installed & the prior installed Z16 along side of the new Z26 extreme pads.

~ Okay sometime and mileage has accumulated on the Z26 powerstop brake pads and I’ve come to the conclusion the Z16 create less brake dust than the Z26 pads (contrary to what powerstop advertises). I will be switching back to the Z16 pads and plan to incorporate the silver backing plate onto the Z16 pads.

See photos below of the Z26 pads below. The brake dust is less than stock pads but not what I had expected or hoped for. Photos represent about 200 miles of driving in dry conditions.

 

[Okvilln]

I ordered z23 fronts and z16 rears. I have silver wheels so brake dust has been a major PITA. Will report back.

 

[Ekin95]

I got z23 for F/R and TBH am not really pleased. Way too much dust IMO. Washed the car and drove it for the 1st time 3 days later and drivers front was really dirty. I have white wheels/polished lip (I know white is hard to keep clean) but I was not expecting this amount of dust. Will report back after driving a few more times. I may think the dust sticks more after the first wash, things may be still damp, etc. Not sure yet, we shall see.

 

[FlynnZero]

Where are you buying these from, Rockauto was the only place I could find any they say out of stock? Looking for the rear Z26-2220.

Summit

 

[MyCorolla]

I have Z23 pads on front and rear. Very little dust, on OEM wheels, even after several hundred miles of freeway & street driving. Then again, I sealed my wheels with this:

https://www.amazon.com/McKees-37-Ce...+37+ceramic+wheel+sealant&qid=1635871704&th=1

I got my pads from CARiD:

https://www.carid.com/2020-toyota-supra-brakes/powerstop-z23-ceramic-brake-pads-3423115948.html

 

[spta97]

I installed the Z26 Extreme pads last night/this morning.

I found the fronts were a real PITA to get out. On my X3MC, once I removed the pins the pads just slid out.

On the Supra it seems the backing of the OEM pads was "fused" to the pistons of the caliper. Almost like they were glued in. Car has only ~2000 miles so was surprised about that.

Is this some kind of adhesive backing on the OEM pads? It required some creative prying (and a few F-bombs) to get them out without scratching the caliper paint.

From the pic, you can see what looks like an adhesive which is missing where the pistons are (assuming it is now stuck to the pistons).

Have to bring the wheels to get the Michelin PSAS all-seasons put on and will bed them this weekend.

Edit - the rear pads were a snap in comparison. Literally 1/2 the time which is opposite of my previous experience.

 

[Loco38SUP]

I installed the Z26 Extreme pads last night/this morning.

I found the fronts were a real PITA to get out. On my X3MC, once I removed the pins the pads just slid out.

On the Supra it seems the backing of the OEM pads was "fused" to the pistons of the caliper. Almost like they were glued in. Car has only ~2000 miles so was surprised about that.

Is this some kind of adhesive backing on the OEM pads? It required some creative prying (and a few F-bombs) to get them out without scratching the caliper paint.

From the pic, you can see what looks like an adhesive which is missing where the pistons are (assuming it is now stuck to the pistons).

Have to bring the wheels to get the Michelin PSAS all-seasons put on and will bed them this weekend.

Edit - the rear pads were a snap in comparison. Literally 1/2 the time which is opposite of my previous experience.

Yes, its adhesive. There is probably some on the pistons which comes off as you continue changing pads. Its normal to be on there.

You’re right its a pain and needs some creativity from nicking/marring the calipers.

-RJM

 

[spta97]

Yes, its adhesive. There is probably some on the pistons which comes off as you continue changing pads. Its normal to be on there.

You’re right its a pain and needs some creativity from nicking/marring the calipers.

-RJM

Thanks for confirming. What’s the reason? Any concerns with the aftermarket pads not having adhesive?

The pins seem to hold the pads in one place

 

[Andrew4Supra]

Any concerns with the aftermarket pads not having adhesive?

The pins seem to hold the pads in one place.

~ You won’t have any issues. I’ve been running my Z16 for 6,000 miles.

The pressure of the caliper pistons and the pins hold them securely in place. The factory glue is just to eliminate the possibility for any pad chatter.

 

[spta97]

~ Okay sometime and mileage has accumulated on the Z26 powerstop brake pads and I’ve come to the conclusion the Z16 create less brake dust than the Z26 pads (contrary to what powerstop advertises). I will be switching back to the Z16 pads and plan to incorporate the silver backing plate onto the Z16 pads.

See photos below of the Z26 pads below. The brake dust is less than stock pads but not what I had expected or hoped for. Photos represent about 200 miles of driving in dry conditions.

Hey @Andrew4Supra, did you ever end up switching back to the Z16 pads?

We've had the Z26 on for a little while and I've found that they dust more than "zero".

Surely better than the OEM pads, but I have a low dust pad (different manufacturer) on my X3MC and it is about as close to zero as you can get. The Z26s....not so much.

I'm going to try bedding the pads on the Supra to see if that helps but curious where you ended up on this.

 

[Andrew4Supra]

Hey @Andrew4Supra, did you ever end up switching back to the Z16 pads?

We've had the Z26 on for a little while and I've found that they dust more than "zero".

Surely better than the OEM pads, but I have a low dust pad (different manufacturer) on my X3MC and it is about as close to zero as you can get. The Z26s....not so much.

I'm going to try bedding the pads on the Supra to see if that helps but curious where you ended up on this.

~ I did swap back to the Z16 compound and do find them to be less dusty than the Z26.

They seem near dust free with clean wheels until about 300 miles or so then the dust or road dirt build up starts appears.

The black wheels make things worse than they may appear on a painted silver wheel.

Nothing is truly dust free… just much less dusty than stock pads (they are filthy and show dust with the first drive).

 

[Kiwi Greg]

just much less dusty than stock pads (they are filthy and show dust with the first drive).

They are nothing compared to the factory GR Yaris Pads

The GR Corolla may use the same ones so you guys might find out for yourselves

 

[spta97]

~ I did swap back to the Z16 compound and do find them to be less dusty than the Z26.

They seem near dust free with clean wheels until about 300 miles or so then the dust or road dirt build up starts appears.

The black wheels make things worse than they may appear on a painted silver wheel.

Nothing is truly dust free… just much less dusty than stock pads (they are filthy and show dust with the first drive).

Thanks for the update. Any degradation in performance?

Oh and can you advise if you ended up switching the metal backplates over? If so, how did you go about that?

I’m hoping bedding them in makes them dust less. Really don’t want to have to swap again.

 

[Andrew4Supra]

Thanks for the update. Any degradation in performance?

Oh and can you advise if you ended up switching the metal backplates over? If so, how did you go about that?

I’m hoping bedding them in makes them dust less. Really don’t want to have to swap again.

~ I haven’t noticed any difference in the degradation of performance whatsoever. The backing plates will not transfer over for they are glued on and won’t pull loose to swap over. Bedding the pads won’t make a difference imo. Hope this helps.

If anyone wants a full set (front & rear) of like new Z26 pads (1,000 miles on them - no aggressive braking) … let me know.
$60 plus shipping.

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