After studying this site, I ordered Mintex Red Box brake pads, front and rear, for my '04 MCS. A good, local shop couldn't install them - showed how the knotch for the sensor was different on the fronts, and the rears didn't match up either. Did the pads change, or do I need another installer? If the pads did change, can anyone recommend a supplier for them? I'm interested in street use, to reduce dust.

 

2004 comes with brake pad sensors for left front inner pad and right rear inner pad. There's a connection on the brake pad for the sensor wire. As of now, I don't know of any aftermarket pads available since it's a relatively new change. I encountered the same problem with the Mintex on my 04. Because my OEM pads are fairly new, what I did was replaced all the pads without wires and kept the 2 OEM pads with wires (left front inner and right rear inner pads). Because they're on the inner side of the rotor, they don't effect the brake dust on the wheel as much as the outer ones. So far, the pads works just fine.

 

i never installed any mintex pads on any car before that used the sensor wires. I always just tie them out of the way. You can tell by looking when it's time for new pads.

 

I just bought a complete set of EBC GreenStuff pads (saved some $ on Ebay). As it happens, the fronts had the correct notch & the rears didn't. Apparently, the wear sensors were added some time ~May '03 production (mine's a 8/03 MCS). EBC made a "flying change" & started making pads with the notch, but they *didn't * change the part #. In my case, I cable-tied the rear sensor & I'll probably just get a set of rears when the fronts wear out (even though they'd probably last a lot longer). I would *not* think it's a good idea to mix OEM & aftermarket pads on tha same wheel or axle. Will report later on street & autocross performance of the GreenStuff pads - they're not fully bedded yet, but I can certainly state that they produce *way* less dust. Maybe I won't have to repaint my white wheels after all.

PS Some of the above based on helpful advice from Matt at HMS Motorsports.

 

My Ferodo 2500's have the notch for the front pad wear indicator, but not on the back. I just zip-tied the rear wear indicator to the caliper, out of the way. Even if you have to do this to the front, it's not a big deal as long as you keep an eye on your pad wear instead of relying on your dummy light in the IP.

Cheers,
Ryan