Brake pads Akebono or OEM Mazda

Yea, I imagine it was a chore. Also forgot to mention, I run Akebono euro ceramics right now and love them because of no dust, but they definitely don't have the bite of an OEM pad, but i'll likely go with another ceramic pad to keep dust down.

I had the Akebono Euro pads installed on my 18 Alltrack last week. Much less dust is generated by the Akebono Euro than OE pads (manufactured by Jurid). Akebono pads feel noticeably linear in braking power, while the OE pads have a tight initial bite on the rotors. Overall I would say OE pads have better braking power than Akebono pads. Yet I am very happy with the change, simply for the balance between performance and dust of the Akebono pads.

The Akebono did perform well and showed minimal brake dust.

I bought Akebono pads and Centric rotors on Amazon. Best combination in my opinion. Akebono Pro ACT pads are ceramic and last a very long time with hardly any dust and super quiet. Made in the USA too.

Akebono Euro Ceramics all around and they're fantastic.

I did my rear brakes with them and have no complaints. Stops fine, no noise, little brake dust.

Made a few sensible tweaks to this car immediately, at like 300 miles (nothing heavy), one of which was Akebono pads. Third VW I've had these on; they're great -- about as close to zero dust as I think you can get, seem to work a bit better and last a bit longer than the OEM pieces.

The setup i bought is coming with Akebono Im going to try those out.

I know they aren't anything special but I personally like the Akebono Euro-Ceramics. Inexpensive, little to no dust, and no squealing. Great pedal travel/feel but verging on squishy, however the bite is there. My one issue is that if you do any sort of repetitive hard stops they immediately show that they do not like it. For DD stuff, they're great.

My stock rear brakes never made any noise. Recently replaced rotors and pads - went with Akebono Euro Ceramic - and now have the same "clunk" you describe. Usually only first thing in the morning when I back out of my driveway and then roll forward and brake.