How do you determine if you need new rotors instead of new brake pads? My brake pads don't look too bad... I am getting a shake coming down off of high speed so I know I need something very soon....

 

look at your rotors....are they very shinny with a little lip around the edges?...if so you might want to get them resurfaced or just get new ones...they are cheap enough!...get brembo blanks from Nopi, nice rotors and then you'll need new pads eventually...there is some debate whether to get new pads and rotors at the same time or get new rotors, once they are broken in 300-400 miles, get new pads... up to you. I did the latter!

 

Yeah you can check on www.jagworks.com and they have pretty good prices Also. Free shipping also on orders over $75.00

 

Generally when you got shaking when you brake, then your rotor is not even or smooth anymore. When you change the pads, you can have them resurfaced (kind of like polished to remove the uneven surface). But if the rotors have been resurfaced several times, it becomes too thin and can't be resurfaced anymore. That's when you need new rotors. Just tell the shop to resurface the rotors. If they can't they will tell you.

 

Thanks guys.... I think I will be purchasing new rotors(from jagworks) since I believe I have had mine resurfaced twice already.

Now if I can just find my powersteering leak....this will be like a new car....

 

Get the brembo rotors, vented in the front. And the Axxis MetalMaster brake pads. This is an inexpensive set up, but its quality stuff.

 

yup Axxis pads are real good.

 

Where's a good place to buy axxis pads online? I have found them on buybrakes.com but they only carry the front brake pads....

By the way, jagworks.com is way cheaper than anyon else on rotors....

 

Get cross drilled or dimple rotors, they will look great with your wheels. I get looks all the time when a car pulls up next to me at a light.

 

Also, do the axxis pads usually come with shims... Just wondering?

 

If they don't, they're cheap enough at most any auto parts store. Also, just because your rotors have been resurfaced twice doesn't necessarily mean you need new ones. They check it with a digital densitometer. It's free at most any brake place like Midas, and accurate. I would put them on yourself if you do get them, though. The labor most would charge is just not worth it. Let me know if you need help on it, it's actually pretty simple. Good luck!

 

Get the Brembo vented rotors for the front. They have them at www.nopionline.com for $31.14 each. Thats what i would do!

 

OK, I just bought the brembo venteds up front and the solids in the rear....along with the Axxis break pads up front and the Metal-lux in the rear from Nopi all for under $200 w/ shipping. That's really cheap.... Thanks for everyones recommendations....

I will be doing the install myself. I have heard that a C clamp is needed for the rear brakes to push the caliper pistons back in. Is this true?

Any other gotchas anyone has run into while doing new pads and rotors?

I think I will also bleed the brakes because the fluid is looking pretty dark. I am guessing this is the typical....have the buddy push on the brake, open the bleeder valve, wait until you see clear fluid, close bleeder valve kinda thing, right.
(and of course, don't let the reservoir become empty)

 

Hey bud...glad to hear you got a deal you're happy with...for the rear brakes you need a pair of needle nosed pliers to turn the piston back in with, the C clamp can be used for the front but not the rear...someone else tackle the bleeding thing!

 

Or you could e-mail me and I'll send you the tool to do it with. That would be safer than destroying your calipars.

I wasn't even aware that you could get needlenose to work. That's interesting... !!

 

yeah, the bleeding is same as other cars like you said

fronts will need a C clamp to push teh piston back in
rear you have to turn clockwise to retract them, it can be done with needle nose pliers if you're careful or they have a specal tool at pepboys that will attach to a ratchet and help you do it for $5 or so
search for more info about that

 

for the drilled disc. do they gotta be resurface at all?

 

Cool. I am about 2 miles from Napa , Pep Boys or Advance so I will do some checking this week.... Thanks...