Matt Romanowski

For anyone thinking about putting some better brake pads on their tow vehicle, the Hawk SD pads seem pretty good. I put them on my 2011 Yukon XL Denali about 3 weeks ago and have done a bunch of local trailering and a trip to Tremblant (about 350 miles each way).

The pads work well, but do squeal on occasion. One thing that took a bit of getting used to is they need about 1 stop to be consistent in their friction level. When you first hit the brakes, if you pay attention or are sensitive to it, you will feel them grab more after a second or so. They also seem to make a moderate amount of dust.

Overall they are very good and a definate upgrade for anyone who trailers a lot. For someone who trailers but doesn't need the strongest pad, I would suggest trying the Hawk LTS pads, though I have never used them.

Lemming

Matt,

I have the same pads on my Yukon XL, which is my tow vehicle, and my wife's daily driver. We are having the problem of uneven pad deposition on the rear rotors (new when I replaced the pads last year). I can clean them off with a break-in procedure, but it comes back when not towing.

Are you having any issues with the pads?

Matt Romanowski

I'm not having any transfer problems. They can squeal sometimes, but braking has been very smooth.

Lemming

Re-bedded the brakes and the problem is back. Think I'm going to put the stock pad on the back, bed the brakes and see if the pad deposition reappears. I put new rotors on the Yukon when the pads were installed.

Matt Romanowski

Maybe I'm lucky? I've had some squelling, but no transfer problems. I've probably got close to 10k miles on them now.

ohenryinatlanta

yeah those are the severe duty pads.... sounds like your not laying into them enough need higher temps to be happy

Lemming

Most of the time it is being used as a daily driver, with the wife driving. Will swap in stock rears this weekend.

John Milne

I have the Hawk SD pads front and rear on my Excursion tow vehicle and have had no problems over several years and many miles of use. I really like them.