Best Brake Upgrade
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From: Canton Ga
Best Brake Upgrade
OK I am sick of the brake dust and I am looking to upgrade the bake rotors and pads. Looking for the best drilled or slotted rotros and best reccomendation on better pades also. They are going on a 03' 4x4 with about 30000 miles...Any ideas?
Thanks
Jason
Thanks
Jason
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Drilled and/or slotted rotors look good, but that's about all you'll get out of that money. For the kind of braking we do with our expeditions, a solid rotor works the best. You will not have any trouble with drilled or slotted rotors, (but slotted rotors will hold up better.) On my car, the last set of drilled rotors lasted about eight days before I had cracks hole to hole. Slotted rotors don't have that problem. I have about fifteen days on my slotted rotors so far and I think I may be able to finish this year before I replace them again. I would run solid rotors if I could.
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The only reason you might want slotted or drilled rotors is due to heat which leads to warping of the rotor. Drilled are ok just as slotted are (they both help dissipate heat from the rotor). The issue with some drilled rotors, as PJeski pointed out is that they can crack. This is 98% of the time due to rotors that are drilled after they are cast. If you look at brembo or other hi quality drilled manufacturers, they aren't drilled after the fact.
Not sure the drilled or slotted will reduce your brake dust problem much either, this is usually dictated by what pads you are using. I suppose it could be a pad/rotor combo too, but I think pads weigh more on the equation. Just look on the internet for some low-dust ones.
If you are looking for another quick upgrade, you might look into stainless steel lines as well (helps keep a firmer pedal).
-GM
Not sure the drilled or slotted will reduce your brake dust problem much either, this is usually dictated by what pads you are using. I suppose it could be a pad/rotor combo too, but I think pads weigh more on the equation. Just look on the internet for some low-dust ones.
If you are looking for another quick upgrade, you might look into stainless steel lines as well (helps keep a firmer pedal).
-GM
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From: IN
I'm also looking at upgrading my brakes on my 97 4 x 4 Expedition. I do a lot of heavy towing and hauling. I'm just looking for the best for the buck but I don't want to spend $$ and get a 5% increase in braking power. I will spend the money if there is a good return. I think this thread would have been better labled "brake dust problem" rather than best brake upgrade. Anyway if anyone has some good information about upgrading the brake system I would like to here it. It's about time for me to do some brake work on it so I just want to do it once and get it done right the first time.
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Though cast in holes are less prone to cracking than drilled holes, they do crack. Mine were Brembo GT rotors with cast in holes. Also, contrary to popular belief, neither slots nor holes do much for cooling. Holes can actually reduce a rotors capacity for heat (by reducing the mass) and the effective surface area for radiating heat is reduced. And you don't get much, if any, circulation through the holes. What holes and slots do is provide a path for gas to escape when our pads are gassing. I doubt we get our expedition pads into a gassing state very often. Holes reduce weight and drastically reduce the life of the rotor (if used hard, I doubt the life of drilled rotors will be reduced on our expeditions.) Drilled and slotted rotors look good, but that's about all you will be getting out of it.
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From: OC, Huntington Bitch
So what type of brake pads are the best for our trucks? I would like something with less dust than the stock dust makers.
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Originally Posted by 748*2Risk
So what type of brake pads are the best for our trucks? I would like something with less dust than the stock dust makers.
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http://www.stoptech.com/technical/
Stoptech has a lot of good information on brake upgrades. (I don't think they make an upgrade for SUV's, so hopefully this won't be seen as a commercial post or endorsement). I dont use Stoptech on my car, I use Brembo. However, I have been to a Stoptech brake upgrade seminar, and found it very informative.
Stoptech has a lot of good information on brake upgrades. (I don't think they make an upgrade for SUV's, so hopefully this won't be seen as a commercial post or endorsement). I dont use Stoptech on my car, I use Brembo. However, I have been to a Stoptech brake upgrade seminar, and found it very informative.
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From: Tacoma, WA.
My research has proven that slotted and or drilled rotors obviously run cooler which will keep them from overheating during towing or heavy braking. If you just drive normally you'd probably be best with a solid rotor.
As far as brake pads go I know when I go to replace someday I will purchase "Ceramic" brake pads. They run cooler and have a LOT less brake dust. This is a great thing for keeping wheels clean. I have 22" chrome wheels so this is important to me when it comes to keeping the brake dust off the chrome. As much as I love cleaning my wheels... oh wait... I don't really like cleaning them at all.
Look into ceramic pads.
As far as brake pads go I know when I go to replace someday I will purchase "Ceramic" brake pads. They run cooler and have a LOT less brake dust. This is a great thing for keeping wheels clean. I have 22" chrome wheels so this is important to me when it comes to keeping the brake dust off the chrome. As much as I love cleaning my wheels... oh wait... I don't really like cleaning them at all.
Look into ceramic pads.
Last edited by T0DD; Sep 5, 2004 at 03:50 PM.
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Just some info here. I had an 03 built in Mar 03. Now I have an 04 with July 04 build. What a difference in the cleanliness of the whells. Basically no dust compared to the 03, however stopping isn't quit as good. Wife even noticed the difference. Not enough to make me change back. I will stay with my clean wheels.
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From: New Haven, MO
Yes, the ceramic pads emit less dust, but they also don't last as long, especially for towing. If this won't do for you, you might look into the Wagner Thermoquiets. They don't emit nearly as much dust and don't squeal as much as other, lesser quality pads.
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From: San Marcos, CA
Look at real race cars on the track - they run solid rotors. Drilled/slotted rotors have less mass thus less capacity to disapate heat. Plus they have been known to crack. Upgrading to a larger rotor, bigger caliper, and better pads are the way to go. Avoid the drilled rotors unless you're totally into rice (all show and no go).
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