The EBC Ultimax2 UD1288 is a rear disc pad set built on EBC's Ultimax2 non-metallic compound. Crafted in the UK for ultimate performance, it is a total NON METALLIC pad containing ZERO steel fibre, which the manufacturer says makes it far less aggressive to cast iron rotors. For an Infiniti EX35 3.5 V6 that sees mostly daily commuting, that low-dust, rotor-friendly profile is the main reason to pick it over stock pads or a budget organic pad.
The purchase case rests on measured compliance, not marketing. The manufacturer states the compound has also achieved the much coveted GG friction rating and is Top Rated with Class N by the USA environmental testing to SAE J2975:2011. It is also fully ECE R 90 approved, and the manufacturer positions the pad at less than HALF the price of original parts. Buyers searching for an EX35 rear pad upgrade with R90 certification, low dust, and gentle rotor wear should compare these ratings directly. Fitment should be checked before ordering: the sources I could review disagree on exact model-year coverage, so confirm against the manufacturer's application list or your VIN.
The manufacturer states the pads are fully ECE R90 approved, the same approval it says applied to the original Ultimax grade.
The manufacturer says no shims are needed for noise reduction with this compound. Owners on user forums on related Infiniti models often transfer the existing hardware and clips during a pad swap, so check what your car uses before installing.
The manufacturer describes the compound as gentle on rotors because it contains no steel fibre, and it reports low dust compared with many factory-style pads.
This is a moderate DIY job that suits someone comfortable with a jack, stands, and a torque wrench. An Infiniti FX35 rear pad guide describes loosening the upper caliper pin with a 14mm tool, removing two 19mm caliper bracket bolts, and then sliding the pin out of the bracket. Use a wire brush to clean the pad mounting surface and lubricate the slide pins. Compress the piston in the caliper using a C-Clamp or a large pair of channel locks. Bracket bolt sizes reported on user forums for related Infiniti models vary, so confirm fastener sizes and torque specs in a service manual before starting. Owners on user forums also caution against loosening the small bolts that hold the caliper halves together, and warn that pushing pistons back can overflow the brake fluid reservoir, so check the level first. Per the manufacturer, the red Brake-In coating is designed to give safe braking right after installation, but a gentle initial bedding procedure is still recommended.
