Brake Rotor Question
Question:
Dean I checked with a friend at the dealer and he ran my vin and said it didn’t come up with anything at all regarding recalls or service bulletins. Does that mean they supposedly fixed this problem for the 99 subs, or do I still need to do it. I would love some more braking power. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->John, >I use NAPA brake parts. Their "premium" pads are the best in the >business. Not cheap but they do last a long time, don’t dust, and don’t >squeak. NAPA rotors are excellent too. >The bigger question is why you are replacing rotors so soon? Beyond the >obvious scoring/warping have you applied the TSB for the brake problem? >GM trucks have had a serious braking problem for many years. The rear >brakes just don’t work. That’s why you went through a set of pads in 15k >miles. >To test, do 40 mph on a flat empty road and bury the brake pedal. If the >front end dips severely, you need to apply the TSB. Basically it >requires replacement of the shoes with the ceramic "Durastop" shoes and >a new proportioning valve. This solves the problem. While you have the >drums off, clean and inspect everything, especially the self-adjusters. >Due to not being used, they are almost certain to be frozen. >Any dealer can print out the TSB for you or you can search at >google/groups. It gives you the exact part numbers. Do the job yourself >or have an independent shop do it; $tealers charge $600-$750! >Dean > Hi all, > It’s time to replace the front rotors and put new pads. I’d like to > get a set of pads and rotors that are better quality (and hopefully > will last longer) than what I can get at the dealer. This last set of > pads only gave me about 15K-miles and the rotors have heat cracks in > them. > The vehicle is a 3/4 ton 4WD 1996 GMC Suburban. > If you can suggest a good brand and a web site that carries them at a > reasonable price I’d be grateful. > I’ve considered Brembo but they are expensive. Thinking about > Raybestos or maybe Bendix. What do you think? > Thanks much. > John.
Response:
Hello, Don’t bother with ceramic pads unless you are putting on new rotors (ie not just machining them). They are very hard on the rotors because they don’t dissapate heat well. I have bad experiences with Rabestos Ceramic Pads. Just ask any police force about ceramic pads and what they do to rotors under heavy braking (ie turn red hot). The only way that I would bother with ceramic pads is on very expensive racing caliber rotors. My thoughts, Clint
Response:
John, I use NAPA brake parts. Their "premium" pads are the best in the business. Not cheap but they do last a long time, don’t dust, and don’t squeak. NAPA rotors are excellent too. The bigger question is why you are replacing rotors so soon? Beyond the obvious scoring/warping have you applied the TSB for the brake problem? GM trucks have had a serious braking problem for many years. The rear brakes just don’t work. That’s why you went through a set of pads in 15k miles. To test, do 40 mph on a flat empty road and bury the brake pedal. If the front end dips severely, you need to apply the TSB. Basically it requires replacement of the shoes with the ceramic "Durastop" shoes and a new proportioning valve. This solves the problem. While you have the drums off, clean and inspect everything, especially the self-adjusters. Due to not being used, they are almost certain to be frozen. Any dealer can print out the TSB for you or you can search at google/groups. It gives you the exact part numbers. Do the job yourself or have an independent shop do it; $tealers charge $600-$750! Dean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi all, > It’s time to replace the front rotors and put new pads. I’d like to > get a set of pads and rotors that are better quality (and hopefully > will last longer) than what I can get at the dealer. This last set of > pads only gave me about 15K-miles and the rotors have heat cracks in > them. > The vehicle is a 3/4 ton 4WD 1996 GMC Suburban. > If you can suggest a good brand and a web site that carries them at a > reasonable price I’d be grateful. > I’ve considered Brembo but they are expensive. Thinking about > Raybestos or maybe Bendix. What do you think? > Thanks much. > John.
Response:
>Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t ceramic pads geared more towards >heavy duty/racing applications? I thought they didn’t stop that good >until nice and hot, like during a race.
sounds more like carbon (carbonfiber?) rotors and pads, they cost a fortune though. I remember reading about them on bikes a while back, just hold the lever in and as they heated up then you would stop. they stayed hot enough during a race that they would always work. Incredible stopping power.
Response:
> Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t ceramic pads geared more towards > heavy duty/racing applications? I thought they didn’t stop that good > until nice and hot, like during a race. > I was pretty sure I heard that on Speed channel during 24 hrs of > LeManns or soemthing like that. > Later > Tony
Stopping in a 3/4 ton Surburban is definitely what I’d define as heavy duty. Add a moderate load or a decent trailer to the already heavy truck, and you’ve got a rolling behemouth with tons of inertia. Due to the weight of the vehicle the brakes get nice and hot REAL fast and ceramics do well in these applications. Regards, Doc – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->There are many folks who go with ceramic pads and shoes on their truck for >increased stopping power and long life. I believe they’re available at >CarQuest by the name "Durastop." >Hope this helps, >Doc
Response:
I’ve got ceramics on my little Subaru wagon, stops just fine, and is nice and quiet. I got ‘em at NAPA…..
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t ceramic pads geared more towards > heavy duty/racing applications? I thought they didn’t stop that good > until nice and hot, like during a race. > I was pretty sure I heard that on Speed channel during 24 hrs of > LeManns or soemthing like that. > Later > Tony >There are many folks who go with ceramic pads and shoes on their truck for >increased stopping power and long life. I believe they’re available at >CarQuest by the name "Durastop." >Hope this helps, >Doc
Response:
Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t ceramic pads geared more towards heavy duty/racing applications? I thought they didn’t stop that good until nice and hot, like during a race. I was pretty sure I heard that on Speed channel during 24 hrs of LeManns or soemthing like that. Later Tony – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->There are many folks who go with ceramic pads and shoes on their truck for >increased stopping power and long life. I believe they’re available at >CarQuest by the name "Durastop." >Hope this helps, >Doc
Response:
Hi all, It’s time to replace the front rotors and put new pads. I’d like to get a set of pads and rotors that are better quality (and hopefully will last longer) than what I can get at the dealer. This last set of pads only gave me about 15K-miles and the rotors have heat cracks in them. The vehicle is a 3/4 ton 4WD 1996 GMC Suburban. If you can suggest a good brand and a web site that carries them at a reasonable price I’d be grateful. I’ve considered Brembo but they are expensive. Thinking about Raybestos or maybe Bendix. What do you think? Thanks much. John.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > It’s time to replace the front rotors and put new pads. I’d like to > get a set of pads and rotors that are better quality (and hopefully > will last longer) than what I can get at the dealer. This last set of > pads only gave me about 15K-miles and the rotors have heat cracks in > them. > The vehicle is a 3/4 ton 4WD 1996 GMC Suburban. > If you can suggest a good brand and a web site that carries them at a > reasonable price I’d be grateful. > I’ve considered Brembo but they are expensive. Thinking about > Raybestos or maybe Bendix. What do you think? > Thanks much. > John.
I’ve had real good luck with Autozone brand rotors <IIRC, Aimco is their brand> and Performance Friction brake pads <also available at Autozone>. I drive an 88′ C1500 and routinely haul and tow with it. My rotors and pads both have 30k on them and look new. The rotors aren’t warped or heat scored, and the pads are just as thick as the day I put em’ on. No brake dust, not a single squeal or chirp in 30k, and very aggressive stopping power. In all seriousness, these are the best brake pads I’ve ever used. Have you checked for a hanging caliper and adequately lubed the caliper guide pins? Also it is important to keep your rear brakes nice and tight to decrease heat at the front end. It is rare for rotors to heat-crack after 15k, and I’d bet that a hanging caliper or maladjusted rear brakes are to blame. There are many folks who go with ceramic pads and shoes on their truck for increased stopping power and long life. I believe they’re available at CarQuest by the name "Durastop." Hope this helps, Doc
