Ceramic Break Pad Advice
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Ceramic Break Pad Advice
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...
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 853
From: Daytona Beach FL
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...
Take a look here:
http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/te...e_papers.shtml
There are a bunch of good write-ups, including:
Pad and Rotor Bed-In Theory, Definitions and Procedures (look at the "Bed-In FAQ" in this section)
Removal of Uneven Pad Deposits From Rotors Using Aggressive Friction Compounds
The "Warped" Brake Disc and Other Myths of the Braking System
The last 2 above have to do with problems you're not experiencing, but they'll give you good info about the process of bedding and pad build up.Removal of Uneven Pad Deposits From Rotors Using Aggressive Friction Compounds
The "Warped" Brake Disc and Other Myths of the Braking System
After you read all that stuff about different pad compounds, my advice would be:
1. Don't worry about turning your rotors - I don't think they need that at all.
2. Put on your new pads and drive the heck of 'em!!!
Bob
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 20
From: New Jersey
I did the Hawk ceramic pads and they are fantastic. They need some heat in them to really grip, but after a few laps they are great, and less dust too. I did not turn my rotors when I put them on and have had no problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 819
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
i have an F55 (same Z51 pads). at 3,500 miles i changed to GM ceramics. now at 4,600 miles i have had little to no dust issues. BEST $135 i have spent on this ride. you should not have to turn/change the rotors unless you have warping issues.
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 3
From: Wexford, PA
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,569
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From: Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Hawk Ceramic Pads
I also have a 06 Z51 and I replaced the stock dustmaster pads with Hawk ceramic pads on stock Z51 rotors with 12K miles--no turning of rotors necessary. Just make sure you bed-in the pads after install. Some folks told me it was unnecessary because the rotors were not changed, but I thought it best to bed-in the PADS--it can't hurt.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
The best and easiest thing I've ever seen is just to scuff the rotors with some sandpaper and the new pads will create their own surface. A lot of times if you don't scuff, you get squeal, from the glazing on the rotors.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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I have a Z51 car as well and changed to GM ceramics at 5K miles. I wiped the rotors down with brake cleaner before the install. Almost at 15K miles now with no squeals and no dust.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 8
From: TEXAS
I also have a 06 Z51 and I replaced the stock dustmaster pads with Hawk ceramic pads on stock Z51 rotors with 12K miles--no turning of rotors necessary. Just make sure you bed-in the pads after install. Some folks told me it was unnecessary because the rotors were not changed, but I thought it best to bed-in the PADS--it can't hurt.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
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From: Los Angeles CA
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Pensacola Florida
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 30,317
Likes: 165
From: Reading PA
No problem. If you are trying to fix the squeal at a later date and you aren't replacing pads or rotors, scuff both the pads and rotors.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove CA
After installing the GM AC Delco Ceramic Pads, I noticed that brake dust was practically non-existent, but I was still getting terrible squealing (even worse than the Z51 pads)
Followed the brake bedding procedure here:
http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm
and now the squeal is gone!
Followed the brake bedding procedure here:
http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm
and now the squeal is gone!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Ocean Springs(Houston) Ms(Tx)
I also have a 06 Z51 and I replaced the stock dustmaster pads with Hawk ceramic pads on stock Z51 rotors with 12K miles--no turning of rotors necessary. Just make sure you bed-in the pads after install. Some folks told me it was unnecessary because the rotors were not changed, but I thought it best to bed-in the PADS--it can't hurt
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
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From: Sun Devil Country
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 26
From: Miami
I put the Hawk HPS(not the Plus) and I sound like a train coming to a hault! There is so much brake dust that it starts to look like fragments on my wheels. It changes my wheel color.. and they are black!! Oh and they didn't come with the hardware and now I have a clinking noise when I go over bumps! They GRIP when applied though! Choo choo !