What's with the odd shape? Never seen front brake pads that had that shape. Cooling ports?

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                            From: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>

Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2007 6:58 AM

To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

Subject: Vanagon Brake Pads - Bendix TitaniuMetallic ii 

Anybody ever try Bendix TitaniuMetallic II front pads?

They claim.

Bendix TitaniuMetallic II provides unsurpassed braking performance right out

of the box. TitaniuMetallic is a coating that is applied to the pad's

friction surface during the manufacturing process. This coating raises the

brake pad's initial stopping power while the pad mates to the rotor surface.

After about 50 stops the TitaniuMetallic coating wears away, having

completed the pad-rotor surface mating process. What remains is a premium

Bendix semi-metallic brake pad that will provide miles of outstanding

performance across a wide range of operating conditions.

Features:

*                         Available for all domestic applications

*                         Bendix premium semi-metallic friction formulation

*                         Noise-reducing shims to mirror Original Equipment

specifications

Advantages:

*                         Greater stopping power with reduced pedal effort

from the very first stop

*                         Shorter stopping distances than other brand brake

pads

*                         Quiet brake operation

Benefits:

*                         Improved braking

*                         "Better than new" performance

$38 from Advance Auto Parts, - Lifetime Warranty!

Sounds too good to be true!

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=BEN

D45A&PartType=219&PTSet=A> &MfrPartNumber=MKD45A&PartType=219&PTSet=A

PS. thanks for all the comments on my much earlier post, further research

confirmed that the Axxis Ceramic pads are really hard on rotors.

PSS. my Van's at the body shop getting it's restoration, paint stripping,

repaint of the UPS Brown Bottom - Tan top.  It will soon look as good as it

runs (it is running the best it ever has!).  Had to clarify this, as some

Vanagons run bad and look bad.

Jack R.

84 Westy, Wolfie