Hey everyone. Im gunna be doing a brake pad and rotor change on my LS soon. I just wanted to know which pads and rotors you would recommend. With all the extremely cheap products out there I want to make sure I get some that will last awhile.

 

Buy the best you can afford within your budget, like NAPA Premium, Raybestos, Etc.

Do some online shopping at the auto parts chains in your area, most if not all of them give you a choice of good, better, best.

I use the NAPA Premium rotors and pads on both the '06 and '07 that I have, no problems at all.

Just make sure that your brake job includes adjusting the rear brakes, so that your new pads and rotors aren't doing more than their fair share.

And also make sure you follow the instruction from the manufacturer of the pads on how to "bed" them in for the longest service life.

 

Thanks. Im new to drums all my cars have had rear rotors. But im getting the rears adjusted soon, then new fronts. the car has 66,000 miles. Ive put 35000 on it since I bought. Never had the rears adjusted. But I see first hand what happens if you dont adjust drums now. My front rotors are warped. When are most changing the pads in the drums.

 

My current setup at 40K with the groove on the pads still at 1/16th (I figure another 15K) no major wear on rotors is "Prime Choice" made in China rotors $35 each and ceramic pads from "Monroe" $15 for the pair after rebate (both from Ebay). You do not have to go expensive, and in my opinion "brand" is just meaningless. But, EVERYONE here will argue that they know the "best" brand. My basic recommendation is CERAMIC pads, be sure to wash the new rotors in soap & water, get new hardware (many pad set come with)

To ensure a good, long lasting brake job you should install new/rebuilt calipers and make sure that the rear drum brakes are adjusted properly at all times (manually adjust every 3-5 K).

I am talking perfect world here. A compleat purist would insist on new/rebuilt calipers & hardware & pads & rotors on the front along with entirely new rear brakes from the backing plate out (includes bearings).

BTW, the "Monroe" ceramics mfg recommendation was install the pads and go, no bedding required. I am not sure whether modern ceramics really need it or not. Do as you like, everones got one

 

Thats very true. Everyone has a slightly different take on what you should buy and so fourth. I just dont want to get new pads and rotors and then 30k later be cussing cause there shot.

 

I had front and rears replaced rotors, drums and pads at 92K. The old ones still looked good. The rear brakes are adjusted when you use the parking brake.

I plan on keeping the HHR a while longer at least until the election is over.

 

So the rears are adjusted by using the parking break??

 

No, not on drum brakes.. I know mine are set correctly thru the backing plate manually, & can tell by the amount of clicks on parking brake needed to hold my HHR...

2-3 clicks is all my park brake needs. But I check adjustments at tire rotations also..

Stops Fine on stock stoppers.........

 

Got it. Im gunna adjust the drums for now. And then ill see about new fronts

 

You'll be surprised how much better it stops with the rears doing their job again, they only contribute about 30-35% of the braking effort, but when they aren't doing even that much the brake balance is all goofy.