Recommendation on Replacement Brake Pads and Rotors
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Recommendation on Replacement Brake Pads and Rotors
Hello:
On my annual maintenance inspection on my 2004 (2 door hatchback with 148,000 miles, in otherwise excellent condition, driven 2,000 to 5,000 miles annually. All street with no tracking) I was advised that I had 3mm on my front pads and 6mm on my rear pads. The shop, usually very reliable, recommended replacing the both the front pad and front rotors. They proposed PowerStop Brake Pads at $71.96 for a pair of front pads and $114 and $117 for the front rotors. The mentioned that they believed Akebono were the best, but pricey. I am also considering doing replacement pads and rotors all around.
Before going that route I am doing some research. I have noticed GM AC Delco, Akebono, Durolast, and Carbotech. I have omitted those providers that seem focused on track applications. I will pursue ceramic pads. It would nice not to have the dust, but I did not mind it so much. I would welcome please any member feedback. This will be street daily driving. Thank you
On my annual maintenance inspection on my 2004 (2 door hatchback with 148,000 miles, in otherwise excellent condition, driven 2,000 to 5,000 miles annually. All street with no tracking) I was advised that I had 3mm on my front pads and 6mm on my rear pads. The shop, usually very reliable, recommended replacing the both the front pad and front rotors. They proposed PowerStop Brake Pads at $71.96 for a pair of front pads and $114 and $117 for the front rotors. The mentioned that they believed Akebono were the best, but pricey. I am also considering doing replacement pads and rotors all around.
Before going that route I am doing some research. I have noticed GM AC Delco, Akebono, Durolast, and Carbotech. I have omitted those providers that seem focused on track applications. I will pursue ceramic pads. It would nice not to have the dust, but I did not mind it so much. I would welcome please any member feedback. This will be street daily driving. Thank you
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 940
From: Orlando Florida
On this forum brakes may be more of a trigger than oil and oil filters. Seems like we all have more than one opinion, and like to share them.
i haven’t run the Akebono pads yet, but read nothing but good. Many here love Hawk, but on my 99 they squealed and squealed. Big fan of EBC, I tend to go with their Red Stuff pads.
i haven’t run the Akebono pads yet, but read nothing but good. Many here love Hawk, but on my 99 they squealed and squealed. Big fan of EBC, I tend to go with their Red Stuff pads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,950
Likes: 1,699
From: North Coast
I deal with most of the main brake companies and had training with most.
Stick with stock rotors. The best are the Zac Delco Gold. They are chemically treated to not rust. You can get the dimples versions if you want some styling but don’t buy drilled rotors. They do not cool more and the crack. A solid rotor will take in more heat and remove it from the pads. They also cost more.
As for pads AC Delco, Akebono, EBC and Hawk are good choices.
I like the Red EBC and the ACDelco pads. It is possible the Delco could be made by Akebono, Ferodo or Brembo etc. Delco dies not make pads but suppliers are often name brands. My GMC Canyon brakes and calipers are Akebono as they are one of the biggest OE suppliers. they are good.
Do not go too aggressive on pads unless you are track timing as they will make noise snd wear the rotors out.
FYI there is no such thing as dustless pads. Most have a grey dust that is much less noticeable. The high carbon pads will leave a lot of black dust. Ceramics tend to be the low dust grey pads.
In sell Power Stop too but just never liked them.
When brakes vine due for me it will be the Delco Gold treated Rotors and either Delco, EBC or Hawk. Might depend on what is in stock.
One thing is to bed in the pads. Take the car out and fo 60 to 20 mph hard stops. Do not fo complete stops. This will bed the pads. This is where brake pad material will be spread even on the rotors. This helps proven pedal pulse many mistake for so called rotor warp. Most mechanics don’t do this so you may need to donut if they did not.
The EBC pads do have break in material that will bed the pads for the first 500 miles. The first 500 miles of any pad can set them for a long or short life. Follow the instructions for each pad.
Stick with stock rotors. The best are the Zac Delco Gold. They are chemically treated to not rust. You can get the dimples versions if you want some styling but don’t buy drilled rotors. They do not cool more and the crack. A solid rotor will take in more heat and remove it from the pads. They also cost more.
As for pads AC Delco, Akebono, EBC and Hawk are good choices.
I like the Red EBC and the ACDelco pads. It is possible the Delco could be made by Akebono, Ferodo or Brembo etc. Delco dies not make pads but suppliers are often name brands. My GMC Canyon brakes and calipers are Akebono as they are one of the biggest OE suppliers. they are good.
Do not go too aggressive on pads unless you are track timing as they will make noise snd wear the rotors out.
FYI there is no such thing as dustless pads. Most have a grey dust that is much less noticeable. The high carbon pads will leave a lot of black dust. Ceramics tend to be the low dust grey pads.
In sell Power Stop too but just never liked them.
When brakes vine due for me it will be the Delco Gold treated Rotors and either Delco, EBC or Hawk. Might depend on what is in stock.
One thing is to bed in the pads. Take the car out and fo 60 to 20 mph hard stops. Do not fo complete stops. This will bed the pads. This is where brake pad material will be spread even on the rotors. This helps proven pedal pulse many mistake for so called rotor warp. Most mechanics don’t do this so you may need to donut if they did not.
The EBC pads do have break in material that will bed the pads for the first 500 miles. The first 500 miles of any pad can set them for a long or short life. Follow the instructions for each pad.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,679
Likes: 692
From: Pingree Grove IL
For street driven C5, the plain rotors you get from your local mechanic shop and ceramic pads are probably all you need.
I’ve had stop tech rotors and AC Delco gold rotors crack at an HPDE. I’ll never buy those again. I’ve got KNS brake rotors and hawk pads in my garage that I need to install. I use the squeaky hawk pads because I track the car a few times a year. I’ve never tried hawk ceramic, but use tire rack for your purchase.
Someone posted above that the centric rotors would be good. Try some hawk ceramic pads.
And you will be fine using the mechanic shop’s materials as well. Let us know what you decide.
I’ve had stop tech rotors and AC Delco gold rotors crack at an HPDE. I’ll never buy those again. I’ve got KNS brake rotors and hawk pads in my garage that I need to install. I use the squeaky hawk pads because I track the car a few times a year. I’ve never tried hawk ceramic, but use tire rack for your purchase.
Someone posted above that the centric rotors would be good. Try some hawk ceramic pads.
And you will be fine using the mechanic shop’s materials as well. Let us know what you decide.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 81
From: Bel Air MD
At the recommendation of my mechanic, he recommended Centric rotors for my 2012 Jaguar. I bought them from Rock Auto and they performed flawlessly.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 649
Likes: 348
From: San Jose CA
Centric is a great way to go for rotors, I suspect they are the actual manufacturer behind a lot of the no-name rotors out there.
If you are worried about performance, you can use the C5 Z06 Rotors on the front, they are lighter than the base rotors by about a pound each.
C5 Z06 LF Rotor 120.62059
C5 Z06 RF Rotor 120.62060
If you want a visual upgrade, you can put the larger C6 Z51 Rotors on the back of the car with a simple bracket swap.. The C6/Z51 rotors are larger and do a better job of filling the wheel. No real performance upgrade, but for less than $150 it does look nicer
You need 2 of each:
Caliper Bracket Rear 88964167 (~$65 each)
Rear Rotor 125.62096 ( 330mm plain, not drilled or slotted).
For pads on a street car, Powerstop are readily available and work great. The Z26 Series is excellent for street use. You can buy these at Autozone
https://www.powerstop.com/product/po...0on%20calipers
If you are worried about performance, you can use the C5 Z06 Rotors on the front, they are lighter than the base rotors by about a pound each.
C5 Z06 LF Rotor 120.62059
C5 Z06 RF Rotor 120.62060
If you want a visual upgrade, you can put the larger C6 Z51 Rotors on the back of the car with a simple bracket swap.. The C6/Z51 rotors are larger and do a better job of filling the wheel. No real performance upgrade, but for less than $150 it does look nicer
You need 2 of each:
Caliper Bracket Rear 88964167 (~$65 each)
Rear Rotor 125.62096 ( 330mm plain, not drilled or slotted).
For pads on a street car, Powerstop are readily available and work great. The Z26 Series is excellent for street use. You can buy these at Autozone
https://www.powerstop.com/product/po...0on%20calipers
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 65
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Thank you for the response. I will check out those rotors you mentioned. Yes, plain black rotors, OEM, if I can find them is what I would want. I might put back semi metallic pads on my list of consideration. The dust is a hassle but not a killer issue for me. Lots of stuff to choose from. I usually for OEM type things.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 820
Likes: 535
From: Miami, Fl
Centric is a great way to go for rotors, I suspect they are the actual manufacturer behind a lot of the no-name rotors out there.
If you are worried about performance, you can use the C5 Z06 Rotors on the front, they are lighter than the base rotors by about a pound each.
C5 Z06 LF Rotor 120.62059
C5 Z06 RF Rotor 120.62060
If you are worried about performance, you can use the C5 Z06 Rotors on the front, they are lighter than the base rotors by about a pound each.
C5 Z06 LF Rotor 120.62059
C5 Z06 RF Rotor 120.62060
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 649
Likes: 348
From: San Jose CA
Look at the part number specs - they are not. C5 Z06 rotors are lighter and directional
C6 Base Rotor = Centric 120.62085 325mm Centric C6 Base 19.62 lbs (both sides)
C5 Z06 LF Rotor = Centric 120.62059 325mm 18.79 lbs
C5 Z06 RF Rotor = Centric 120.62060 325mm 18.79 lbs
C6 Base Rotor = Centric 120.62085 325mm Centric C6 Base 19.62 lbs (both sides)
C5 Z06 LF Rotor = Centric 120.62059 325mm 18.79 lbs
C5 Z06 RF Rotor = Centric 120.62060 325mm 18.79 lbs
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 820
Likes: 535
From: Miami, Fl
C5 base and z06 rotors are the same. I never mentioned the C6.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Just got new Michelin Pilots and mechanics reported pads at 80% and recommended pads and rotors...but I knew pads were due! 2000 Z51 with 46,000 miles. this has been very informative as I plan to replace pads and rotors. 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2013
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Follow Up
Please allow me to follow up on my posting. First, thank you to everyone for the great feedback.
Here is what I did:
1. I stayed with semi metallic pads, in this case AC Delco. I get it more dust. I have never minded that too much. Plus, I just like the better stopping power.
2. I went with Centrix plain 120 series rotors all around purchased from Tire Rack. I wanted to stay with original parts, but the asking price on those was too prohibitive.
Seems to be working great. Thank you again for the counsel.
Here is what I did:
1. I stayed with semi metallic pads, in this case AC Delco. I get it more dust. I have never minded that too much. Plus, I just like the better stopping power.
2. I went with Centrix plain 120 series rotors all around purchased from Tire Rack. I wanted to stay with original parts, but the asking price on those was too prohibitive.
Seems to be working great. Thank you again for the counsel.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,679
Likes: 692
From: Pingree Grove IL
I finally got around to putting my KNS plain brake rotors on, plus I’m using hawk HP+ pads. The stopping power of these pads is the best I’ve ever felt. They do dust, and they don’t squeak that much on the KNS rotors. These pads squealed horribly on stoptech slotted rotors and ac Delco slotted rotors.
stick with ceramic if you don’t want dust
hawk HP+ stop better then hawk HPS and hawk5.0 pads.
stick with ceramic if you don’t want dust
hawk HP+ stop better then hawk HPS and hawk5.0 pads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 773
Likes: 213
From: Auburn Ohio
Exceptional Agressive Street Pads....
EBC NDX Blue Stuff
I'm on DBA t3000 rotors
Great Combination
Fantastic initial bite cold With the ability to Modulate deep into the heat
Super Dusty
love the Dust ,
It gives me Bad *** Brakes with Superb Feedback
As good as it gets without Full Race stuff
EBC NDX Blue Stuff
I'm on DBA t3000 rotors
Great Combination
Fantastic initial bite cold With the ability to Modulate deep into the heat
Super Dusty
love the Dust ,
It gives me Bad *** Brakes with Superb Feedback
As good as it gets without Full Race stuff