F355 Brake Pad Change - What about machining rotors?

I'm using the Porterfield R4S and love them. I did not have my rotors machined. My good friend and Ferrari tech tells me it really isn't necessary, unless the rotors are warped and exihibit poor runout. Some have said you need a slight "cleansing" cut for absolute best performance from a new pad...and that may be true, but my experience shows it isn't always necessary.

 

The EBC greenstuffs are great pads, but give off lots of brake dust. The Porterfields have the reputation of being the best track pad. The Axxis pads have slightly less "cold" bite than the RS-4's, but at one third the price (and likewise very little dust or noise).

If you machine (turn down) your rotors properly, then you won't need any anti-squeal compounds on the Axxis pads (I don't know about the others).

 

I have used both pads in my 348 (which uses identical pads as the 355 by the way).

The Greenstuffs generate a lot more dust than I'd prefer, but have terrific stopping power on-track and on the street. Porterfields have far less dust, but the R4S compound is not well suited for heavy track use (R4 would be a better choice).

Both pads require anti-squeal goop and/or the backing pads to prevent noise. A proper bedding-in helps too.

My daily driver has Axxis Deluxe Plus (E38 BMW). Zero dust whatsoever... but not nearly enough bite for hardcore driving.

-Daniel

 

I replaced my 95' 355 pads with the r4s pads a while back. I had plenty of meat still on them but r4s have 90% less dust. I found after properly bedding them, shortly after a bad squeal.
Got another set of r4s didnt bed them this time, and used a dremel to slightly file a small angle on the leading edge.....still squeal. Now I'm going to have the rotors turned and hope the squeal dosen't return, the squeal is very annoying, and a little embarrasing from an exotic car.

 

It all depends if you need to machine the rotors or not? Maybe if the disc is scored or has a lip on it somewhere?? Or if you have brake shudder from warped discs?? If not,then you should be fine. My 348 has new pads in the rear,genuine ferrari pads(fitted before i got the car)and they are very dusty and also squeak. An old trick is to hose out all the brake dust from the wheels,everytime you wash the car,which then stops the squeak,until they get dusty again,which aint really too bad,cause i usually wash the car once every fortnight or so. When they wear out,then ill replace them with a better,dust free pad!

 

Interesting...no squeal with R4S on my car. My tech did put the anti-squeal goop on the backs of the pad before install though.

 

Cool,thats why they are ok then. We used to spray the backs of pads with PRO-SEAL brake pad silencer(red stuff) and it works great. My ferrari pads, as far as i can see,hasnt got anything on them,thats why they are probably sqeaking! But i cant be bothered pulling them out and spraying them.hehe