Author Topic: Ceramic Brake Pads ? (Read 1505 times)

bitme · « **on:** June 20, 2005, 03:35:38 pm »

I just had new rotors and ceramic pads installed
plus the rear brakes adjusted on a grand am...

Is it just me or do ceramic pads not stop as sharp as regular pads ?

articsteve · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2005, 04:03:09 pm »

"Ceramic" is misleading. All it means is that some of the brake pad contains a percentage of ceramic elements. What was the brand name and series and country of origin?

ericthejet · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2005, 09:49:51 pm »

What you want are 100% organic pads, nice and soft and they heat up in a jiffy. Try a mild cross drilled or slotted rotor.

Did your old pads not offer enough "bite" :-)

Did you change your brake fluid? I do the fluid on my bike twice a year and belive me the difference is incredible.

johngenx · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2005, 09:59:36 pm »

People want it all. They want rock hard pads that will last 150,000km and they want fade free super-stopping ability. Not gonna happen unless you pop for real ceramic brakes as per Mercedes, Porsche and Ferrari. However, the parts alone for those set-ups are about $30K and up.

My Mercedes has superb brakes. But, I have to put up with pads that last about 70,000kms or so. Fine with me. I always buy the OE brake parts because they work so well. The Subaru brake bits seem to last longer, but the brakes suck in comparision to my MB.

eddy4 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2005, 10:47:23 pm »

Geez, I bought a set of "white box" pads for my old chevette once , they were made out of compressed cardboard I think .
They worked fine but took both feet on the pedal to slow you down !!!!

weebl · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2005, 11:50:57 am »

But, I have to put up with pads that last about 70,000kms or so

I would actually consider that pretty good life for brake pads. In my past experience, I've seen them range from only 20,000km to nearly 100,000km in life, with the majority needing replacement around 50,000 to 60,000.

johngenx · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2005, 01:21:14 pm »

Folks I know with Cavaliers like to point out that they get 150K or something like it to a set of brakes and therefore my Mercedes is of inferior quality. Interesting measure of quality.

At about $500 to do all four corners, it runs a max of $0.007 per km for brake wear and tear. Compare it to gasoline? $0.873 Insurance? $0.38 based on 25K per year. Brakes are cheap.

barrie1 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2005, 01:23:54 pm »

Eddy the only time I use White Box parts is when the vehicle is Forsale as the quality is very low on this type of product. White Box is mainly the stuff that used car dealers use as the lifespan is rather short on this type of product. They are not hi-quality parts at all.

eddy4 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2005, 05:18:20 pm »

I was talking to an old friend lately and asked him what he was doing in a late model Dodge as he is a dyed in the wool GM fan.
He told me that his 3 year old Blazer finally drove him over the edge.
He purchased this SUV with most of an inheritance, over $40,000 , it was a dream vehicle.
That Blazer used up 11 sets of brakes in 3 years, the first set in 4000km, GM denied him any warranty.
All the ball joints failed ,( the right side snapped off at about 50kph) all the u joints failed , and 2 engine pushrods broke at different times .
Needless to say it was very disappointing as this SUV only travelled 65,000km.
GM steadfastly refused to acknowledge any responsibility .

Not the way draw repeat buyers back to GM ...

safristi · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2005, 05:25:38 pm »

White box pads...wifey is gettin' back ta me on that