1999 Brakes
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 5
From: Rockwall TX
1999 Brakes
Hi, I have a question, hopefully not to stupid. I need my brakes redone, and the rotors definitely need to be turned. Should I get them turned or buy new rotors? Also, I know pads are easy to do, but, how hard are the rotors to replace on a Vette?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Turning rotors makes them thinner and more susceptible to warping a second time. Just get a set of new ones and stick them on. Installing rotors on the C5 is very easy.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 13
From: San Jose CA
Agreed - wouldn't recommend turning them. I've had good luck with ATE rotors from Tire Rack; $48ea fronts, $43ea rears. They're slotted, and the slots are cut at the minimum rotor thickness, so you can tell whether your rotors need replacing at a glance without putting calipers on them. I've used them for regular driving, and HPDE days at the track, and never had a problem.
To replace pads, you just need to remove one of the caliper slide bolts and pivot the caliper to remove and replace. To replace rotors, you need to remove the caliper mounting bolts. These are on there pretty tight (I forget the torque spec), and you'll probably need a breaker bar to get enough leverage, but it's only 2 bolts per caliper. The manual recommends replacing the mounting bolts when you remove them; I didn't, but used high-temp thread-locker.
Good luck.
To replace pads, you just need to remove one of the caliper slide bolts and pivot the caliper to remove and replace. To replace rotors, you need to remove the caliper mounting bolts. These are on there pretty tight (I forget the torque spec), and you'll probably need a breaker bar to get enough leverage, but it's only 2 bolts per caliper. The manual recommends replacing the mounting bolts when you remove them; I didn't, but used high-temp thread-locker.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 5
From: Rockwall TX
That sounds do-able. After the calipers are off, is there anything holding the rotors on. or do they just slide off?
Thanks for the recommendation for rotors as well, appreciate it!
Thanks for the recommendation for rotors as well, appreciate it!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver Washington
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 13
From: San Jose CA
If the rotors have never been replaced, there should be some thin retaining clips on a couple of the wheel studs, but all you do to remove the rotors is pull. It's not a hard job; if you're using a floor jack and jack stands, it'll probably take you longer to raise and lower the car than to replace the pads and rotors!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
It's your money, you are welcome to spend it unnecessarily if you desire.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 5
From: Rockwall TX
Ok, heres the million dollar question for those of you with a lot more experiece with Vettes than I. Would you have the rotors turned ( if still thick enough), and new pads for $244. Or, buy new rotors and pads for around $100 more and do it yourself?
