Subaru WRX 4 pot calipers, Godspeed kevlar pads
 

Good Evening,

I am just writing a quick review of my recent first experience of changing pads on my blob eye wrx wagon. Firstly:

Wow, tried to get the calipers off with the attached bolts. Living by the sea I think the sea spray and somebody not correctly tightening the bolts previously led to a real fight trying to even break the caliper bolt free. Breaker bars...not even touched it.

So....

I looked at the caliper closely and noticed that maybe I can free the manky worn out pads by unclipping the spring clip and removing the two pins. A bit of persuading with a flat head screw driver to push the pistons back by levering against the old pad and disc and we are away. I changed the front pads without even removing the caliper. Very happy....until I need new discs that is.

I went for the Godspeed kevlar pads. A good price as money is a bit tight at the minute and mixed reviews I decided to go for it and see for myself.

So far I am very impressed with the bite from cold and on warming up they bite even harder. I tried the bedding in procedure on the the pads from setting a new biting compound on the disc and deglazing it. 6 x 40mph to 10mph stops and 3 x 60mph to 10mph stops. Leave the brakes to cool for 20mins and no resting your foot on the brake and standstill they said. Well smoking hot pads later and a 20 minute cool down they feel good.

Anyone else used Godspeed pad? I am waiting for the extra brake dust (though hard to spot on grey wheels) apparently they are a little abrasive too. I will report back.

I have a set I'm waiting to fit. I bought them with a set of their grooved disks
Problem is I have seized piston on one of calipers and I haven't had a chance to whip them off and free it up yet.

Currently got EBC yellows that were on the car when I got, great when they're hot but scary when they're cold and the olnly pads I've ever had that have left brake dust up the side of the car.

As you found, the pads come out with only the pins removed so the caliper doesn't need to come off. I tried to remove my calipers a couple of years ago to change discs and had exactly the same problem with seized bolts - couldn't get enough leverage on a breaker bar with the car jacked up on my drive. Was a bit easier once up in the air on ramps.