hi everyone, looking for advice here, 2008 ss auto, need to replace front brake pads soon, live in canada. the dealership said that only original equipment brake pads are recomended, and at a 350.00 for a set of front i am thinking money grabber, so i found a set at rpm, they are ceramic, which the dealership does not advise i put on. i am looking for any info on brands that anyone else has used or that anyone knows would be safe to use, i am astonished at the price they want for these brake pads but also dont want to screw anything else by using the wrong ones, so i need options. thanks

 

EBC green or red pads. They will not screw anything up and are one of the best quality pads out. They will also leave a very little brake dust.

I also recomend to replace the rotors with new ones. Cutting them only make them thinner unless you only need a very small clean up cut.

Use the stock style rotors unless you want the dimpled or drilled for looks. They cost more and add no performance gain. The solid has more metal and works as a better heat sink. Even the companies that make these dimpled or slotted rotors will tell you they are only cosmetic.

The EBC have a good Kevlar content and make for good heat transfer. THey also make for great street use. They use little junk fillers and no metals.

I have used the EBC pads on my last two brake jobs and have never been happier with the results.

Hawk is also another good quality brand.

 

does you know what the name of the stock rotors and pads are. i am not in the mood to speak with dealership again.

 

I put on Wagner thermoquiet ceramic pads, and there great. break dust has been nearly eliminated, and they stop perfect.
$52.00 for the front set

 

From what I understand, there is something wrong with either the stock rotors, or pads. Over time the rotors start warping way too early. I got rid of both once I bought my car. Once the rotors were off, my mechanic told me that "yup, the rotors are warped!" The car had only 22k. I replaced the rotors with aftermarket "slotted and drilled" rotors and put on a good quality pair of ceramic pads. A huge difference and since the rotors are vented, they will last you quite a while. I disagree with the idea that slotted and drilled rotors are for looks. They help to dissipate heat which keeps the pads and rotors cooler. This keeps them from warping especially if your hard on brakes. Like me.

 

Mind you this was not for an SS, but I got 2 generic drilled rotors and ceramic pads for < 200$ shipped from Toronto (eBay seller), installed them myself and they outperform the OEMs hands down (I've had them on for 18 months now and no sign of warpage on the rotors; the pads still have well > 50% life in them after 40K km). I don't mind if they only last a couple of years, as long as they stay true; I can order them again and replace the whole thing in about an hour.

Yves

 

ok well i have a package of wagner thermaqueit ceramics and the damn dealership told me it is not advisable to put them on unless i want to risk doing damage. my husband said it is a money grab and i thought i would further investigate here as this is our first performance car.thanks everyone, i am n ot doing anything right this minute, wil wait till the weekend at least so am willing to tke more advice i want to do a little shopping around today in the stores aswell.

 

You had better read up on what slotted and drilled rotors really do. They do not cool more or disipate heat. Any quality well know brake company will tell you that and even some have this fact posted on their web sites.

Here is the direct quote from Willwood brakes one of the best after market performance brake companies.

Why are some rotors drilled or slotted?
Rotors are drilled to reduce rotating weight, an issue near and dear to racers searching for ways to minimize unsprung weight. Drilling diminishes a rotor's durability and cooling capacity.
Slots or grooves in rotor faces are partly a carryover from the days of asbestos pads. Asbestos and other organic pads were prone to "glazing" and the slots tended to help "scrape or de-glaze" them. Drilling and slotting rotors has become popular in street applications for their pure aesthetic value. Wilwood has a large selection of drilled and slotted rotors for a wide range of applications.

This is on Willwoods web site and I can show you the same responce from many other brake company on their web sites too.

Not trying to prove you wrong so I do not want to offend. I just get tired of seeing incorrect info getting passed around on web even with good intentions and costing people a lot of money that they really do not have to spend unless they want the looks.

Also seldom to rotors warp often it is only material that embeds itself in to the rotor and makes a spot that grabs. This is not unlike spilling a Coke on the ground and then trying to slide throught the sticky spot in you socks.

Poor pads and hard driving will create the embeded material. Some rotors can warp but seldom that is the issue most feel.

I have wrenched on cars for years and today make a living working in the racing performance industry so I deal with this topic daily. I used to believe the same thing till someone set me straight.

 

Just go to a good parts store and get a Bendix or other good quality stock replacment rotor and you will be fine.

Napa has a good line if you have one near.

 

drilled or slotted brakes look good tho.