Brake Pad Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Brake Pad Question
Are the least expensive Autozone pads just as good as stock pads? For clarification, Autozone offers 3 steps from the "hardly-any-warranty" ones to the lifetime warranty ones. I figure they're really all the same, but the different "steps", which rise in cost with each "step", allow them to collect more money from you up front.
'01 Stock calipers and rotors. Pads are just worn and rotors still look good.
'01 Stock calipers and rotors. Pads are just worn and rotors still look good.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 900
Likes: 38
From: Waunakee Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '20
Are the least expensive Autozone pads just as good as stock pads? For clarification, Autozone offers 3 steps from the "hardly-any-warranty" ones to the lifetime warranty ones. I figure they're really all the same, but the different "steps", which rise in cost with each "step", allow them to collect more money from you up front.
'01 Stock calipers and rotors. Pads are just worn and rotors still look good.
'01 Stock calipers and rotors. Pads are just worn and rotors still look good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
I also used GM Ceramics, got them from Fichtner's Chevy, a Forum Vendor.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
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From: Fort Wayne IN
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Working at AZ, I can say this: Stay away from the low end "Valucraft" stuff. The duralast pads are decent, and the Duralast Golds biggest difference is they have a better backing plate on the pads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Interestingly, there is no "Valucraft" listed on their website for brake pads, but there is Duralast and Duralast Gold, with the Gold series being cheaper. If the Gold series is better, shouldn't it be more expensive?
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Thanks for the reminder, but I usually don't machine rotors, and I've always only replaced them when they're bad, even on my C4. I've had no problems with just replacing pads in the past if the rotors are good. I figure the same holds true for my C5.
Last edited by MrLeadFoot; Sep 10, 2007 at 12:07 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Roughly how much are front pads in ceramic, if you remember a ballpark?
Anyone know what stock front pads run? Anybody else have recommendations that will result in a pretty much stock application? Raybestos, Bendix, etc.?
I haven't even shopped yet, but have used Autozone pads on all my other cars, which is why I was even asking about Autozone pads.
Thanks.
Last edited by MrLeadFoot; Sep 10, 2007 at 12:18 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,466
Likes: 886
From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
Funny that you mention that the DG Gold's are less than the regular DG stuff though........could be a glitch. Take advantage of that. Bring in a web printout to the store and they'll match the shown price. If you call AZ, you'll find out that they also carry Morse Ceramic and PFC brake pads too (PFC stands out to me because that's what the Stock Car Racing Experience was using on the cars they use that I drove recently, and the sticker/ad was tatoo'd everywhere).
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
I am now re-thinking my brake pads. I just got off the phone with Fichtner Chevy, and they say the ceramics are very popular.
I've always been under the impression that there's a trade-off with ceramics, in that they sacrifice performance for less brake dust. I was surprised to hear that they're supposed to be quieter, too. Quieter? As compared to what? I mean, hey, as long as they don't squeak, you're not going to hear them.
Anyway, what is the consensus here regarding ceramics vs. semi-metallics? Will ceramics indeed compromise stopping power? Any other trade-offs I'm not considering?
Thanks!
I've always been under the impression that there's a trade-off with ceramics, in that they sacrifice performance for less brake dust. I was surprised to hear that they're supposed to be quieter, too. Quieter? As compared to what? I mean, hey, as long as they don't squeak, you're not going to hear them.
Anyway, what is the consensus here regarding ceramics vs. semi-metallics? Will ceramics indeed compromise stopping power? Any other trade-offs I'm not considering?
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Some guys (not all though) here with Hawk HP+ (semi-metallic pads) have experienced a lot of noise...From what I understand, the stock stuff is not too noisy so if you have stock semi metallic pads, I imagine that the only real benefit from ceramics will be the reduction in dust..If you don't Autocross/drag race/road course the car, the reduction in friction may be a non-issue...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Ceramics dust is lighter so is stopping power
I am now re-thinking my brake pads. I just got off the phone with Fichtner Chevy, and they say the ceramics are very popular.
I've always been under the impression that there's a trade-off with ceramics, in that they sacrifice performance for less brake dust. I was surprised to hear that they're supposed to be quieter, too. Quieter? As compared to what? I mean, hey, as long as they don't squeak, you're not going to hear them.
Anyway, what is the consensus here regarding ceramics vs. semi-metallics? Will ceramics indeed compromise stopping power? Any other trade-offs I'm not considering?
Thanks!
I've always been under the impression that there's a trade-off with ceramics, in that they sacrifice performance for less brake dust. I was surprised to hear that they're supposed to be quieter, too. Quieter? As compared to what? I mean, hey, as long as they don't squeak, you're not going to hear them.
Anyway, what is the consensus here regarding ceramics vs. semi-metallics? Will ceramics indeed compromise stopping power? Any other trade-offs I'm not considering?
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 922
Likes: 2
From: Resume Speed Tennessee
[QUOTE=Fastbird93;1561852799]...they also carry Morse Ceramic....QUOTE]
Hey, Fastbird, what has input been on the Morse pads? I picked up a set last week but have not installed yet. Thanks,
Hey, Fastbird, what has input been on the Morse pads? I picked up a set last week but have not installed yet. Thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,788
Likes: 139
From: center of Kalifornia
I would call NAPA for Raybestos ceramic pads and get the straight scoop. Trust me if you do not track the car or do heavy brake at auto X you will never see a difference.
I put them on the wife car because of bad squeak, she wanted to sell it , now she is in love with the car again. I put them on the C5 as I was tired of the front wheels looking like a German car "black soot" very happy, after short break in.
I would say if you don't have a disc warp then you can skip the machine work or replacement. If so, that just tells me you are easy on the brakes and really would not need the metallic!
I put them on the wife car because of bad squeak, she wanted to sell it , now she is in love with the car again. I put them on the C5 as I was tired of the front wheels looking like a German car "black soot" very happy, after short break in.
I would say if you don't have a disc warp then you can skip the machine work or replacement. If so, that just tells me you are easy on the brakes and really would not need the metallic!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis Mn
[QUOTE=RoadReady;1561869007]I put the Morse pads on last weekend....So far I think they are as good as any other pad I have ever installed.
