I just swapped out my set of Hawk Blacks and found that the thin black metal plate on the back of the pads steel backing was melted! Both pads on both front wheels were like this. A couple of them just feel off when I removed them from the caliper.

I've never seen anything like it. I had no idea my brakes got that hot. I had them on their for 18K miles with new rotors, standard not slotted or cross drilled. I do road race but not very often, most of my driving is in town to and from work.

I was thinking about going with the rotors sold in the below link and move up to Hawk Blues unless I decide no more road racing then I'll stick with the Hawk Blacks.

http://www.carmotorsports.com/brake_pads_rotors.htm

I will say though that the Hawk Blacks are VERY excellent pads. I never noticed a damaging amount of brake fade and I was really surprised they even lasted past 10K miles considering my driving, although now my rotors are eaten to hell but rotors are so cheap I replace them when I do my pads anyway.

 

Isn't that just the anti-rattle plates? I thought they were supposed to kind of form into the shape (ie, melt) to keep the pads from making noise..

Kevin D.