brakes
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: ft myers florida
brakes
well time to replace rear pads and rotors on the old 85,what are the best pads and rotors.shes my dd so they dont have to be race quality.JUST MADE IN AMERICA.any info would be outstanding
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
FWIW - i've bought rotors and (ceramic) pads for both my 85 and my 90, as well as my truck, on ebay. i got them from vendors, irotors and brakemotive. the rotors were drilled and slotted (not really necessary, but that's the way they were sold). they were also zinc plated. they have been on my 85 for some years now, and show no signs of rust anywhere. the pads also provide very good stopping power for the street. i have no idea where the rotors are made, and i have no complaints with either set. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
The best thing is to go to any auto parts store and buy the correct pads, and get lifetime, or upgraded pads.
It has been my experience that the rear brakes are not very effective, and don't really do much braking. You don't have ABS, so Chevy toned down your rear braking effort. They increased the effort in '86, but it's only a minor increase. Later years, they increased the rear effort because of increased front rotor diameter, and more chassis engineering and calibration.
Pretty much, if the rear pads aren't really really soft, they won't make much difference between brands, or effectiveness.
Soft pads wear quickly and eat rotors. It's your decision and your bux
For what it's worth, If I buy new pads, I look for Wagner,Monroe, or other major brands.
No guarantee, but at least there's a huge company with strict specifications, and adhere to factory friction materials requirements.
I am just not enamored with rear braking effort on these cars.
My rear pads lasted about 13 years, and 90,000 miles. Make your own conclusions.
It has been my experience that the rear brakes are not very effective, and don't really do much braking. You don't have ABS, so Chevy toned down your rear braking effort. They increased the effort in '86, but it's only a minor increase. Later years, they increased the rear effort because of increased front rotor diameter, and more chassis engineering and calibration.
Pretty much, if the rear pads aren't really really soft, they won't make much difference between brands, or effectiveness.
Soft pads wear quickly and eat rotors. It's your decision and your bux
For what it's worth, If I buy new pads, I look for Wagner,Monroe, or other major brands.
No guarantee, but at least there's a huge company with strict specifications, and adhere to factory friction materials requirements.
I am just not enamored with rear braking effort on these cars.
My rear pads lasted about 13 years, and 90,000 miles. Make your own conclusions.
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Feb 18, 2010 at 09:34 AM.
