[iSpy]

Ceramic Brake Pads:

NOTE: High Performance Ceramic Brake Pads by BRP / Can-Am Part 861301600 (snow mobile only).

Most major auto manufacturers use ceramic now as original equipment. Chrysler was about last to continue using semi metallic. Many Chrysler, PT Cruiser owners experienced noise problems. On my PT, switched to ceramic when new (500 miles). Now 45,000 miles - no noise, no dust, little wear.

Auto manufacturer adaptation issues seemed to be related to parts contracts and cost containment (semi metallic = cheap).

Much time ($) and effort seems to be spent by Can-Am, dealers, and embarrassed owners taking at best band-aid approach to a solvable issue.

My Spyder resonates from applying front brakes. No chemical contamination. Occurs coming to stop in last 12 feet, usually going slow. More likely when warm? Embarrassing. (1,600 miles) Brakes warm? Sounds like perfect resonation - like running dampened finger around top of empty wine glass getting it to resonate. Seems like hard brake pads acting like finger in example above and rotor acting as rim of glass. Harmonic vibration seems to be wheel itself acting as the wine glass above.

Ceramic compounds provide much quieter braking because the ceramic compound helps dampen noise by generating a frequency beyond the human hearing range.

-Brake friction materials have evolved significantly over the years. They've gone from asbestos to organic to semi-metallic formulations. Each of these materials has proven to have advantages and disadvantages regarding environmental friendliness, wear, noise and stopping capability.

-Asbestos pads caused health issues and organic compounds can't always meet a wide range of braking requirements. Unfortunately the steel strands used in semi-metallic pads to provide strength and conduct heat away from rotors also ****generate noise**** and are abrasive enough to increase rotor wear.
Since they were first used on a few original equipment applications in 1985, friction materials that contain ceramic formulations have become recognized for their desirable blend of traits. These pads use ceramic compounds and copper fibers in place of the semi-metallic pad's steel fibers. This allows the ceramic pads to handle high brake temperatures with less heat fade, provide faster recovery after the stop, and generate less dust and wear on both the pads and rotors. And from a comfort standpoint, ceramic compounds provide much quieter braking because the ceramic compound helps dampen noise by ****generating a frequency beyond the human hearing range****.

-Another characteristic that makes ceramic materials attractive is the absence of noticeable dust. All brake pads produce dust as they wear. The ingredients in ceramic compounds produce a light colored dust that is much less noticeable and less likely to stick to the wheels. Consequently, wheels and tires maintain a cleaner appearance longer.

-Ceramic pads meet or exceed all original equipment standards for durability, stopping distance and noise. According to durability tests, ceramic compounds extend brake life compared to most other semi-metallic and organic materials and outlast other premium pad materials by a significant margin - with no sacrifice in noise control, pad life or braking performance.

-This is quite an improvement over organic and semi-metallic brake materials that typically sacrifice pad life to reduce noise, or vice versa.

Adapted from Tire Rack website (sponsor). TireRack.com - link top of page.

[Danimal]

Okay... so what pads can we get for the Spyder to solve this issue???