Replacing brakes
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 201
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From: Dallas Texas
Replacing brakes
I am wanting to replace my brakes. I have done this on many other cars but not my 02'. Any suggestions on what needs replaced. Do I need new rotors or do I just need to turn them? Have not touched them to see how bad off they are. Also any suggestions on brake pads??? Has anyone heard of or seen dustless brake pads ? Thanks for any and all help !!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
The C5's brakes are even easier than the other brakes I've done before. You don't have to completely remove the caliper to replace the pads. You just remove one bolt at the "top" of the caliper, loosen the bottom one and it swings down so you can slide out the pads and press the pistons back into the caliper. GM sells ceramic pads, that seem to dust less, but some say they don't work as good. I don't drive it hard enough to tell a difference. I've read that you don't want to turn rotors, that makes them thinner and more likely to warp. If you need to turn them because of grooves, just buy new ones from Napa, they aren't too expensive. If you've replaced pads in something else before, the Vette isn't too tough.
Good luck
Good luck
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
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From: Milwaukee Wi
You will probably get many opinions on what brake pads, it just depends on what kind of driving you do.
I went with the Napa rotors and their ceramic pads and am very happy with them. I don't race my car yet but I do drive it hard from time to time.
The brakes are very easy to change. You should be able to take your rotors to any autoparts store that turns brakes and ask them to check them to see if they are warped (warped you should be able to feel) or still within factory tolerance. Or you can check them yourself with a dial caliper and a micrometer.
My rotors were scored pretty bad so I replaced them all. The rotors I got were $29/each at Napa. I think the Hawk pads that I've read about on here are cheaper than the ceramic ones from Napa.
Ricky
I went with the Napa rotors and their ceramic pads and am very happy with them. I don't race my car yet but I do drive it hard from time to time.
The brakes are very easy to change. You should be able to take your rotors to any autoparts store that turns brakes and ask them to check them to see if they are warped (warped you should be able to feel) or still within factory tolerance. Or you can check them yourself with a dial caliper and a micrometer.
My rotors were scored pretty bad so I replaced them all. The rotors I got were $29/each at Napa. I think the Hawk pads that I've read about on here are cheaper than the ceramic ones from Napa.
Ricky
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You just need to remove the top guide pin bolt. The bottom one doesn't need to be touched. To get the pads out you may need to stretch the hose a little. If you are uncomfortable doing that then remove both guide pin bolts.
If your rotors are not scratched or scored then don't waste the money on resurfacing them. If you replace stock pads with stock pads GM says there is no need to resurface. In most cases even when going with other pads resurfacing isn't an issue. As for so called warping it is really a minimal problem. I have been driving C5s for 10 years now and haven't had a warped rotor yet. You just have to use your brakes hard enough to avoid the problem.
Bill
If your rotors are not scratched or scored then don't waste the money on resurfacing them. If you replace stock pads with stock pads GM says there is no need to resurface. In most cases even when going with other pads resurfacing isn't an issue. As for so called warping it is really a minimal problem. I have been driving C5s for 10 years now and haven't had a warped rotor yet. You just have to use your brakes hard enough to avoid the problem.
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
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From: Fayetteville AR
I have done many brake jobs on many different vehicles and what I have learned is take the extra step and have your rotors turned ("resurfaced") and your new pads will “bit" much better and you will feel like your brakes are “new” when you step on the petal. Each rotor is marked with the tolerance for thickness and when resurfaced if they fall short of this tolerance then they will let you know it time to buy new ones or that was the last resurfacing that they will take. If you never had a brake job on your car before then you should be able to turn at least once and not be too “thin” and you will be much happier with the end results. After all you have a VETTE and you want the very best for it.
I read once were some pads will leave a residue on the rotor so if you switch brands the new pads may not “season” the rotor and your stopping distance may suffer.
At the very least I would used some sandpaper to rough up the rotor in a circular pattern and used a ton of brake cleaner on both sides of the rotor and inside the caliper to clean them up (I do this once a year to all my cars so they will stop at the max).
I read once were some pads will leave a residue on the rotor so if you switch brands the new pads may not “season” the rotor and your stopping distance may suffer.
At the very least I would used some sandpaper to rough up the rotor in a circular pattern and used a ton of brake cleaner on both sides of the rotor and inside the caliper to clean them up (I do this once a year to all my cars so they will stop at the max).
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
You may wish to replace the noise abatement clips/springs as well. Some pad sets come with them and others don't. I know the ACDelco ceramic pad sets do or at least the ones I got had them.
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From: Farmington CT
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From: A little place called Macungie PA
This is something a little **** but I also use caliper grease on the metal ends of the pads where they contact the clips. Not sure if it's a must but it makes me feel better. Pretty much anywhere I see metal to metal contact or rubbing I brush a light amount of caliper grease, just be careful don't use regular grease it can't take the higher temps, the grease I'm talking about looks like black paste, if you buy a little tub it will last long enough to give to your grand kids and beyond. But like I said I might be overly **** too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 201
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From: Dallas Texas
final question
I know there are so many different types of pads and such... It there a difference in the Carbon Metallic pad and the ceramic pad? That dust on my wheels drives me crazy ! But not worth the brakes not working well... Thanks again for all the feedback and suggestions !