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Brakes 101

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:34 pm
by half_twisted
Ok so i just bought new cross dr and sloted rotors and was forced to change my brake pads from carbonmetalics to semi metalics. I didnt want to get ceramics since they are way to harsh on the rotors and just eat them up. and I was told that semimetalics do the same. I didnt really want to get anything that would be harsh on the rotors since i want them to last. I noticed that most car can take 2years on the same pads before new ones are needed and the rotors are still new looking.
can someone point out the different pad applications and what they do to iron or cast iron rotors.

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 9:28 pm
by occasional demons
I've been running ceramic for years now and never had any problems with rotors. Low dust FTW.
Edit: if a pad is eating rotors you will see the rust stains on your wheels from the cast iron dust. My wheels stay clean looking. I've always used Raybestos pads. Hated carbon metallic as the wheels would turn black two days after washing them.

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:50 pm
by half_twisted
but dont the ceramic pads eat up the rotors. and I would use the raysbestos but heard they were to soft and would wear out faster with slotted and cross drilled rotors.

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:16 pm
by BlackRoseRacing
Semi-Mettalic's eat rotors, not Ceramic's

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:11 pm
by half_twisted
so as long as i stay away from the metalics pad then i should be ok.

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:32 pm
by Danteneon
Rule of thumb...if using cross-drilled rotors, it is advised that you not use softer compound pads because the holes clog (losing the x-drilled effect). I have used Autospecialties x-drilled rotors on my old 2000 neon with their (then called) extreme 911 pads (the new name escapes me). I ran this set up for a year and a half (til I had to give her up) and had no wear issues on pad or rotors. Slightly more noise when cold, but that was it. Great stopping, no warped rotors, un-clogged holes :thumbup:

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:49 pm
by kc2005ptgt
I am running stock (never been replaced) rotors for over 80k miles with no problems. I have just recently repaced my pads with ceramic ones in front and still stock in rear. Personally, if your pads are being replaced that quick (2 years) you are riding your brakes or possibly have warped rotors.

I have heard that some x-drilled/slotted rotors will not take ceramic pads as well.

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:27 pm
by half_twisted
hwo the heck would i know if my rotors are warped.

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:40 pm
by gilly02le
you can feel the pulse in the pedal while breaking, feels like your tires have flat spots(again only while breaking)

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:32 pm
by OB
half_twisted wrote:hwo the heck would i know if my rotors are warped.
Pull them off and check them with a micrometer.

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:09 am
by Danteneon
I know the difference between brakes from my 2000 base model and my 2002 ACR is technically the pads, but I have yet to have any problems with the brakes on the ACR either. Non R/T's & ACR's can warp rotors in a heartbeat it seems.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:17 am
by occasional demons
I have 120K on my orignal rotors, with fair abuse, and no thumping pedals here.