Brake Life
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Brake Life
Have my C6 at the mechanics (going through SERIOUS separation anxiety, 
) having a new ATI Harmonic Balancer installed, car should be ready tomorrow. He told me my front brakes are pretty low, only about 3-5K miles left on them, but that the rear brakes are fine. I'm second owner and I know the history of the car, it only has 22.5K miles on it and I don't track or really punish the car so I was surprised to hear about the front brakes. I'm replacing all four corners with Hawk Ceramics but was wondering, what is typical/normal brake life for our cars? 
) having a new ATI Harmonic Balancer installed, car should be ready tomorrow. He told me my front brakes are pretty low, only about 3-5K miles left on them, but that the rear brakes are fine. I'm second owner and I know the history of the car, it only has 22.5K miles on it and I don't track or really punish the car so I was surprised to hear about the front brakes. I'm replacing all four corners with Hawk Ceramics but was wondering, what is typical/normal brake life for our cars?
Last edited by RobLo; Mar 16, 2013 at 08:41 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 35
From: Jupiter Fl
My 07 w/Z51 brakes lasted 74000 miles. The rotors were worn down to just about the minimum thickness so I replaced all for rotors and pads with new GM Ceramics. I got it all from GM Parts house (CF vendor) very reasonable prices and good service.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 2
From: Mooresville (Race City USA) NC
I have the M6 transmission, downshift to slow down, read the road far ahead, installed GM ceramic pads early on, and expect to get far, far more than 40,000 miles out of them. I'm really surprised you only got 22.5k miles out of your brakes, but then again I see you live on Long Island, which probably means your brakes get a real work-out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,277
Likes: 6
From: (d/fw) tx
i did rotors and pads at 38K on my '07 daily driver with z51. they weren't babied. could have had the rotors turned but they would have been right at the threshold so i decided to replace them.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Even though I live on Long Island, probably 70% of my driving is easy going highway miles, I just love driving the car. And the 12K miles I have put on the car in the 3 years I've owned it include 3 trips to Carlisle, a 2400 mile road trip last year and several other Pennsylvania road trips. I don't push the car and practice all the safe braking techniques, I had 47K plus original brake miles on my Acura when I turned it in. One thing I'm wondering, I bought the car from a wheelchair bound gentleman who had hand controls (brake and throttle) on the car, I wonder if he used the brakes excessively, that might explain the excessive wear. I know he didn't push the car but maybe overused the brakes.....
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
I have a set of PERFORMANCE AFX MOTORSPORTS 2PC Z51 SLOTTED from - http://shop.performanceafx.com/C6-Z51-Corvette_c15.htm on my 07 with over 75,500 miles on them and they still look good, I would recommend a set. I run the GM Z51 brake pads with them.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
For a quality replacement pad when you guys and gals are ready, check out the Carbotech 1521 pad Low dust and quiet that preforms.
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
The Carbotech™ 1521™ is our high performance street compound. The 1521™ compound is known for its release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. 1521™ is also a very low dusting and low noise compound with an excellent initial bite. This compound's excellent linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Carbotech™ 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 800°F (426°C+). 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle or fleet vehicle. Carbotech™ 1521™ is NOT recommended for ANY track use.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 697
Likes: 663
From: Portage Michigan
2007, 23,000 miles. On second set of Z51 pads. A third set and new rotors are in the waiting for the next change in probably 4 or 5k. I track the car periodically. Tire and brake wear...a price to pay for play at the track.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,430
Likes: 3,620
From: Commerce Texas
102,000 original pads and rotors, more than 30% of life left in pads. Rotors look good. Had my brake people check them just before my last 5,000 mile trip....
Car now has 108,000 miles. Leaving for 1,000+ mile trip Friday. Another 1,000 mile trip will come up April 12.
Car now has 108,000 miles. Leaving for 1,000+ mile trip Friday. Another 1,000 mile trip will come up April 12.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
102,000 original pads and rotors, more than 30% of life left in pads. Rotors look good. Had my brake people check them just before my last 5,000 mile trip....
Car now has 108,000 miles. Leaving for 1,000+ mile trip Friday. Another 1,000 mile trip will come up April 12.
Car now has 108,000 miles. Leaving for 1,000+ mile trip Friday. Another 1,000 mile trip will come up April 12.
WOW, very impressive....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,025
Likes: 1,656
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
102,000 original pads and rotors, more than 30% of life left in pads. Rotors look good. Had my brake people check them just before my last 5,000 mile trip....
Car now has 108,000 miles. Leaving for 1,000+ mile trip Friday. Another 1,000 mile trip will come up April 12.
Car now has 108,000 miles. Leaving for 1,000+ mile trip Friday. Another 1,000 mile trip will come up April 12.