Ceramic Break Pad Advice
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
I'll have to agree w/ ya, YLOFEVR! The DUSTMASTERS need to go, in favor of the HAWK ceramic repl pads. Like someone said, it's a daily duty to clean the front(mainly) chrome wheels.
I hadn't thought much about this til now. Havin just purchased my new 08 ZO6 a couple of weeks ago(1200 miles on it now). But, as I've experienced w/ the Z28's wheels and the ceramic pads, The brake dust is all but, eliminated for the most part in comparsion to the regular pads for the 1st 30K miles or so.
Don't have any experience w/ the heat in the rotors/pads vs racing.
I hadn't thought much about this til now. Havin just purchased my new 08 ZO6 a couple of weeks ago(1200 miles on it now). But, as I've experienced w/ the Z28's wheels and the ceramic pads, The brake dust is all but, eliminated for the most part in comparsion to the regular pads for the 1st 30K miles or so.
Don't have any experience w/ the heat in the rotors/pads vs racing.
Just a little info...those Z06 Hawk pads suck. Mine have been on for a year and it's only a matter of time before I trash them! Were great to start then turned into a squealing monster.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Ocean Springs(Houston) Ms(Tx)
Thanks again!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
I need a little advice... my car has the Z51 (only 9000 miles) ..I have been VERY easy on the breaks... Yes I drag race it 2 times a month, but the breaks are cold when I stage it, I have "Line Lock" so on my burn outs the rear pads never get hot....
After a run I an real easy on the breaks and usually take the last turn off (so as not to have to break hard!
I just got GM Ceramic break pads to try and get less break dust .. I have to clean the wheels every time I use the car...
Question.... Do I "HAVE" to turn the rotors or can I get away with just replacing the pads... The rotors look fine no "hot spots" or grooves etc...
I'm just trying to avoid having to turn the rotors as they look fine ? Any suggetions...
After a run I an real easy on the breaks and usually take the last turn off (so as not to have to break hard!
I just got GM Ceramic break pads to try and get less break dust .. I have to clean the wheels every time I use the car...
Question.... Do I "HAVE" to turn the rotors or can I get away with just replacing the pads... The rotors look fine no "hot spots" or grooves etc...
I'm just trying to avoid having to turn the rotors as they look fine ? Any suggetions...
I just did a brake job last weekend on my 07 Z51, I replaced the stock Z51 pads (noisy, lots of dust) with ceramics. I turned my rotors; the car has 27,000 miles, and I did the burnishing (bedding) procedure recommended in the factory repair manual. So far, not a peep out of the new pads. I had ceramics on my 04 C5 as well. Good for the street.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Fontana S. California
Information
Visual Brake Rotor Surface Cracking
Models:
2005-2009 Cadillac XLR
2005-2009 Chevrolet Corvette
with Heavy Duty Brakes - Cross Drilled Rotors (RPO J55)
Important: DO NOT replace OR resurface rotors for small surface cracks that are described below.
The pass criteria for thermal fatigue testing specifies that the rotor is allowed to have small thermal cracking up to 2/3 of the brake plate surface. The brake plate surface for the front rotor is 50 mm (1.96 in) radially which means cracks are permitted up to 33 mm (1.29 in) radially across the rotor brake face in length. This would be the pass criteria for the end of severe testing. To have a large safety margin a rule of thumb - small thermal cracks are allowable and the rotor does not need to be replaced unless the cracks connect from hole to hole or the crack reaches the OD of the rotor. ______________________________________
Models:
2005-2009 Cadillac XLR
2005-2009 Chevrolet Corvette
with Heavy Duty Brakes - Cross Drilled Rotors (RPO J55)
Important: DO NOT replace OR resurface rotors for small surface cracks that are described below.
The pass criteria for thermal fatigue testing specifies that the rotor is allowed to have small thermal cracking up to 2/3 of the brake plate surface. The brake plate surface for the front rotor is 50 mm (1.96 in) radially which means cracks are permitted up to 33 mm (1.29 in) radially across the rotor brake face in length. This would be the pass criteria for the end of severe testing. To have a large safety margin a rule of thumb - small thermal cracks are allowable and the rotor does not need to be replaced unless the cracks connect from hole to hole or the crack reaches the OD of the rotor. ______________________________________
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
Make the switch to the Carbotech bobcat 1521.
The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser, and has won multiple SCCA Solo 2 and Prosolo National Championships. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. Bobcat 1521™ compound has also been found to extend the life of your rotors 2-3 times. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
The Carbotech Bobcat 1521™ is our high performance street compound that is our most successful compound. The Bobcat compound is known for its awesome release and modulation, along with unmatched rotor friendliness. Like our AX™ & XP™ line of compounds, Bobcat 1521™ is a Ceramic based friction material offering minimal rotor damage and non corrosive dust. Bobcat 1521™ offers outstanding performance, even when cold, low dusting and low noise with an excellent initial bite. This compound’s virtually perfect linear torque production provides incredible braking force without ABS intervention. Bobcat 1521™ operating range starts out at ambient and goes up to 900°F. Bobcat 1521™ is suitable for ALL street cars, perfect for your tow vehicle, police cruiser, and has won multiple SCCA Solo 2 and Prosolo National Championships. The Bobcat 1521™ compound has been found to last two-three times longer than OE pads you can purchase at a dealership or national retailer. Bobcat 1521™ compound has also been found to extend the life of your rotors 2-3 times. That’s one of the beauties of Carbotech Ceramic brake compounds. Bobcat 1521™ is NOT recommended for any track use.
