So I have a set of Stop Techs for 6years. Just found out the rear inner mechanical parts has seized up. I'm possibly gonna look into a rebuild kit to fix the rear if possible and do the fronts too. Or go back to stock set up that came with the X Sedan or pay a few bucks extra for used OEM Akebono sets.
Here is my question, Are all Akebonos the same size?

 

Yes, it is. Fronts come with 4 pistons and rears come with 2 pistons.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

So rebuilding is not an option. Definitely don't feel like buying a new pair for $1600+ which doesn't include another 1k+ for rotors and pads. This set up was cool when 1st put them in, but it's been a headache afterwards. Then I found out from another shop, the caliper sizes are wrong. Moving forward, I strongly believe I'm going with option for about $1500. What yall think?

 

Yep, I strongly agree. I originally had a 2004 G35 sedan which I ran StopTech ST40s (332x32) up front. I live in WI so they had to deal with street, track, and winter. They did the job, but I saw continual if slow corrosion on the bracket that holds the pads up in the caliper due to the salt in the winters, so I was constantly cleaning/filing/grinding down the sides of the back plate on the pads, and the SS brake lines' coating ultimately cracked and started to corrode as well. So I would agree that BBKs made in California may not work perfectly in a street car that sees multiple seasons.

I now have a 2009 G37 sedan sport, which came with the Akebonos stock. It is reasonably new to me, but the big difference is that the Akebonos and related hardware is properly corrosion treated and looks to withstand actual street conditions much better. I don't track the G37 (I have a Cayman for that) so that also means I can avoid nasty angry metallic pads, etc. so the brakes are powerful, silent, and quite light maintenance.

I will warn you that these calipers baaaarely fit in the 18" stock wheels and fit nearly no aftermarket 18" wheels, but if you are already running a 13" or 14" StopTech system you should* have no issues. Just check the Akebono templates that are posted here and there in the forums to make sure, in case the StopTech calipers you are running are notably different in profile... or you'll be buying wheels and swearing a lot.

Good luck!


Rick

 

Thanks Rick; Interesting, my ST40 was in the front, a 2nd shop said it should have been in the rear. Also, I'm assuming Stop Techs are bigger than the Akebonos, I still have the "duckfeet" wheels. I'm also assuming AWD duckfeet wheels are the same dimensions as the RWD sport wheels. I'm hoping fitting shouldn't be an issue. ?
An old pic, when I 1st install them(100k miles on them);

 

I'm not familiar with brake bias, the shopped that helped me with the 3rd set of rotors(2 pairs of stop tech rotors failed on me), told me my bias will be off. Here is my current set up.

Think I got my money's worth out of 6years, $5k+ and 100kmiles.

 

Edit: Sorry, I missed your second message which clarified things.

You size your brakes by (1) where your engine is, and (2) where you expect to do must of your braking. On a front-engine car stopping while going forward at 60mph, you should always have your bigger brakes in the front, as the front end does about 70-80% of the braking. If you were talking about a 911 or mid-engined car, you might choose a more square setup. However, even with AWD you are still 55%ish front weight bias, and again you don't stop while driving backwards at 60mph.

The Akebonos are about the equal of a 355x32 (14") Stoptech in the front, and two-piston rear is not quite the equal of your 332x32 ST40s/ST41s. On my G35, even on the track, I ate up rear pads but still ran the stock 12" rotors and calipers. I went with a 355/332mm set of StopTech Trophy brakes on my Cayman, which IS rear-engine and it's more than adequate, even with 400bhp and on the track stopping at 140+mph at Road America.

So, long story short: big brakes go up front, smaller brakes go in the rear! I think the Akebono brakes are a great option.

 

Thanks again Rick. Wish I research more 6years ago. It's too bad I can't ask the shop any questions, went out of business 3yrs after my install. I wonder if they reverse the location due to fitment. If that is so, I may need to know if any AWD sedans had any issues or did this bolt up properly (with 18in stock wheels)?
Almost seems safe to go back to AWD stock.

 

Hello again:

First, below is a picture of the stock wheels with the Akebono front brakes. The rears are obviously notably smaller and won't present an issue.



So you will not have any clearance issue if you are running stock wheels. I know that there are AWD Sedan sport packages, so I also believe you should not have any fitment issues at all moving forward. I am sure in particular that having the 355mm (14") 4-piston up front and the smaller 2-piston in the rear is both factory designed and the intelligent way to set up brakes. If that shop installed a bunch of rear-biased brake systems, I am not surprised they are out of business now.

Hopefully this helps!


Rick

 

This helps alot thanks alot. I was just getting a quote from the dealer to go completely stock, and it's roughly $2k (parts). I'm sure I can save a few hundred if I get refurbished Calipers.

 

Quick update; I ordered Red Akebonos today, and this shop ordered everything else. Hoping to have them installed within 2weeks.

 

Package came today. Installing next week.
Only thing is, not too happy with the power stop labeling. Should have ordered the Infinti label with the set. I did order my own, but looks like this current label is printed on.

 

With respect to bragging rights, the name PowerStop doesn't really inspire. So yeah, I feel you there about the decals. However, doing anything about it at this point is a big PITA, so probably best to suck it up and look at the bigger picture. Other than that, and just from that pic, the red looks great.

More power to you, man (no pun). I've been wanting painted calipers for 10 years now, and will probably never do it. It's a heavy lift to get your only set of calipers painted while currently on the car, vs. getting new calipers painted off the car.

 

Yea, your right suck it up. Atleast all my brakes will be working properly next week.