Nixsun79

Hey guys its been a dam long time since I've been on these forums. I have to say it feels good to be back.

To the point, my next mods:

1. new component speakers
2. 01 front bumper and fogs
3. 01 front grill
4. 01 tail lamps

Questions, I did some searching on the forums and couldnt find much on replacing the stock component speakers on the 97-01 ES. Have any of you out there done this? What size are the speakers and do you guys recommend any brands/models?

I'll post a pic soon of my radio install. Although it may be changing soon... I'm thinking of putting a LCD right in the dash, making a fiberglass mount and moving some controls around.

Also Im having a dam hard time with brake dust on my wheels, it such a pain in the **** to keep them clean. Can anyone recommend some good pads that dont dust as much. Right now I have Axxis metal masters. I do have slotted rottors could that be part of the problem? I was thinking about going with a big brake setup but my wheels pretty much hide the brake system so maybe a waste of dough...

It's nice to see some new members around here, like Gato if you see this big-ups on the ride looking sweeet.

lexusk8

Welcome back Nixsun! Always nice to have some of the veterans sticking around and helping out the newbies here (can't do it alone y'know)

Oh, to answer one of your questions, I have the OEM brake pads on my '01 ES for almost a year, and they don't cause brake dust at all. I can't comment on the rotors you have since I only have experience with the factory rotors. I would consider changing your pads to the OEM kind first and see what happens. You can get these pads at http://www.irontoad.com for a cheap price (that's where I got mine).

tiguy99

Touche! Thanks for the comback

juan01

Welcome back dude!

I think it may be your rotors that's causing all that dust.

lexsterES

Metal pads tend to let out more dust. I had trd pads and they gave out so much dust and noise!
OEM pads will definitely fix your problem. I can’t remember how much the dealer sells them for… I’m thinking around 40 for the rears and about 50 for front.

Nixsun79

Thanks for all the feedback, I heard that OEM pads wont work with slotted rottors, Is this urban myth? From what I was told the slotted rottor will tear right though the OEM pads.

Some old mechanics where I work are telling me that ceramic pads are the way to go, but maybe to costly.

Here is a link to my rotors PowerSlot

Something I never noticed, the site is telling me to try out Hawk Pads, anyone have any experience with them?

Nixsun79

Ok so i found some Hawk pads, OEM pads, and ceramic pads... they all seem to be the same price. I think I might try out the ceramics.

Ceramic Pads

superpats

I just had drilled slotted rotors put on about 2 weeks ago along with ceramic pads on the front and I have not had any brake dust issues. I don't see why OEM wouldn't work as long as they were scuffed before putting them on, but if they're the same price as ceramic go with ceramic. They stop on a dime, no noise and since i've had them put on no dust.

lexusk8

Excellent point pats about the braking differences between the factory and ceramic pads. It seems like the functions of brake pads depend upon your choice of rotors (i.e. flat or slotted). This definitely makes sense from a material science perspective