So I found out why I'm going through pads and rotors like hell today. First reason, and I feel like an idiot for this one, I never properly broke in the last set. Second reason, my calipers in front are shot. Believe it or not, I think the local Pontiac dealer who last did my $600 all around brake job, @!#$ up the calipers, as well as the right rear drum/e-brake connection. Either way, I'm in desperate need of new calipers, rotors, and pads. I need some suggestions on brands, as well as materials.
Here's what I'm looking for:
Rotors: I'd like slotted rotors in front, not cross drilled. I deliver Pizza for a living, so I'm always hammering on my brakes, which brings up another thing. I need a decent sent of slotted rotors that can take beating. I'm willing to spend about $150-$175 on a set. Possibly more if it will be worth it.
Pads: I'm thinking I need ceramic pads here, but I may be wrong. Again, they need to be able to take a beating. I've read good things about EBC (Is that right? I'm tired) pads, and they are pretty good. For Pads, I'm willing to spend about $90-$100, again, more if needed.
Calipers: As for these, I need new ones. I'm tired of the bull @!#$, and I'm going to just re-do my whole system. Where's a good place to get new or re-maned ones. I'm sorry, but for this kinda thing, I'm not gonna go to the junk yard. I've looked around at basic stock replacement, and noticed theres quite a few brands and prices. So, some ideas here would be good. Paint/Powder coating isn't necessary, I'll be painting them myself.
Alright, so need ideas for brands, and the like for slotted rotors, good pads, and calipers.
Thanks guys.
Both EBC and Powerslot make slotted rotors. I've only used the EBC rotors, but I've heard the Powerslots are better and longer lasting (less rust).
Even with what you do for a living, you're not going to see any huge difference in braking performance between different types of pads. I would suggest either EBC or Hawk pads. The EBCs will create more dust though.
For calipers, I've never had any bad luck going down to my local Advance Auto and picking up some re-man ones (and I've installed probably 10 sets over the last 5-6 years, just because I like to do it whenever I change pads and rotors). Last I checked, the core charge was more than the cost of the caliper, so essentially, they're paying you to take the new one. A quick inspection before installing them will find any problems. I would never recommend a junkyard for any of this stuff, unless you're just going for the core charge.
I would not recommend you blame a dealer for messing up caliper on a seven year old car.
Everytime you hit the brakes that seal in the caliper has to flex, the piston has to push out and it wears out overtime. Espeically with delivering pizzas, no kidding sherlock that parts will wear out faster.
As far as replacements go, stock is just fine. If you warp slotted, or drilled rotors, you cant have them cut, they have to be replaced, were as stock ones can be cut.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
I am using the EBC green stuff pads along with their slotted and dimpled rotors. They work great and I have had them on for two years now. If you are doing the whole replacement you might as well spend a few more $$ and get the braided brake lines as well. Good insurance against bursted brake lines, also better pedal feel. Avoid junker calipers. who knows how worn the seals are. Get a reman set from the parts store., clean them good and paint them, then put em on the car. saves a lot of re and re.
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Rob S wrote:I would not recommend you blame a dealer for messing up caliper on a seven year old car.
Everytime you hit the brakes that seal in the caliper has to flex, the piston has to push out and it wears out overtime. Espeically with delivering pizzas, no kidding sherlock that parts will wear out faster.
As far as replacements go, stock is just fine. If you warp slotted, or drilled rotors, you cant have them cut, they have to be replaced, were as stock ones can be cut.
Your right, I really shouldn't be blaming the dealer. I was just pissed at the time, and when you get pissed and tired at one time, things tend to come out wrong.
As for the stock replacements, I have about 3 sets of rotors right now that I'm gonna get turned, and keep around for whenever I need a rotor (or two). I tend to keep back ups on a few parts that get used the most. Rotors, pads, shoes, one set of drums... amongst other things.
Anyway, I'm also looking to add performance brakes because I plane on doing some 1/4 mile runs next season to see where I'm at in times, before I do my engine swap.
Shoot me an email. I'll get you a price on a setup IDENTICAL to mine. SP Performance Nickel Coated rotors and EBC Yellow Stuff pads.
The pads are a "race" compound so they dust a bit more but the bite is awesome...even from cold. Oh and if you can get these to fade...your amazing. These bastards have slowed me from 125MPH nicely even on short turnoff tracks with zero hint of fade.
This setup is more than what 90% of JBO needs but if you beat on your brakes it's what you need. Always OVER-do your stopping power. LOL.
I used to race cars, now I race myself.
5K PB: 24:50
10K PB: 54:26
Or you can get my setup from NOPI's online store for like $100 + the cost of reman. calipers from your local store.
Brembo OEM rotors (because slotted rotors aren't worth the extra $50)
Axxis Ultimate Pads (excellent pads, used by many autocrossers, produces a fair amount of dust)
Use the extra $100 you save on the rotors and pads to replace the rubber lines with flexible stainless lines(I would upgrade these before uprgrading to slotted rotors). The lines will give you a much firmer pedal.
Sunfiretun3r wrote:As for the stock replacements, I have about 3 sets of rotors right now that I'm gonna get turned, and keep around for whenever I need a rotor (or two).
Unless you can get it done for a grand total of $0, you shouldn't. The cost of a stock replacement at the parts store is cheaper than having them turned.
Hypsy- have you (or anyone you know) done any temp testing on that setup? I'm willing to bet the brakes will never get to temp on a street car, and actually be less efficient than the Green stuff pads.
James Cahill wrote:Sunfiretun3r wrote:As for the stock replacements, I have about 3 sets of rotors right now that I'm gonna get turned, and keep around for whenever I need a rotor (or two).
Unless you can get it done for a grand total of $0, you shouldn't. The cost of a stock replacement at the parts store is cheaper than having them turned.
Hypsy- have you (or anyone you know) done any temp testing on that setup? I'm willing to bet the brakes will never get to temp on a street car, and actually be less efficient than the Green stuff pads.
I know I beat the @!#$ out of the pads and they've never had a problem
. They are actually designed as a race compound but are good for street driving if you read their description of them and I've never had a problem with them not biting hard in the cold...even recently with our single digit temps.
"Although a full race material and capable of high temperature use with very good wear life, this new formulation sets a new trend in race type brake pad compounds. The “bite” from cold is superb which is uncommon with race materials (normally requiring warm-up) and makes this a pad which can be safely used on the highway as well as on the race track. This new formulation was used by numerous championship race and rally drivers in 2004 and is truly a milestone in brake pad material development.
Nominal friction coefficient 0.6 with zero rotor damage and low dust."
I used to race cars, now I race myself.
5K PB: 24:50
10K PB: 54:26
if your not going to a full race style set up and using stock calipers u can get then new pretty cheap and if going reman hell u can get just about any brand because they just hone the caliper housing and replace the o ring,sometimes the piston and the dust boot as well as the bleeder screw.\
ive rebuilt my calipers myself by just ordering a rebuild kit for like 9 bucks and honed them myself installed them and used them for like a couple of years
