Brakes/Rotors....have to do front and rear at the same time or no?
10-29-2006, 09:05 AM
#1
Brakes/Rotors....have to do front and rear at the same time or no? My fronts are getting pretty bad, the rears I don't really notice. Is it alright to swap out the front rotors and brake pads now and save the rears for spring time or is that a mistake? Which take the brunt of the stopping force?
10-29-2006, 12:13 PM
#2
The front does most of the work (70-80%). I'd fix the fronts now and if you wind up needing rear brakes later, change them. Until that time, I'd swap the fronts and run the rears as they currently are. There is no danger from doing that and it's quite common to do so.
10-29-2006, 05:25 PM
#3
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Fairfax County, VA (You know you're here when you see the bad roads)
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree. While I generally will replace both left and right at the same time there is no reason to do both front and back unless they both need it. Replace the fronts, and get the backs when they need it. You'll be fine.
10-29-2006, 06:24 PM
#4
Forgot to mention this might be important in all of this...I am replacing the fronts with Brembo blanks and Hawk HPS pads and the rears would still be OEM stuff....is that gonna be a problem? Good stuff in the front vs **** in the back? TIA
10-29-2006, 08:35 PM
#5
Originally Posted by hurley711
Forgot to mention this might be important in all of this...I am replacing the fronts with Brembo blanks and Hawk HPS pads and the rears would still be OEM stuff....is that gonna be a problem? Good stuff in the front vs **** in the back? TIA
Nope, not a problem at all. The LS1 has the brake bias shifted pretty heavily to the rear. A slightly more aggressive pad in the front is often useful to increase performance and prevent what we refer to as "brake hop". Brake hop is like wheel hop, but during very hard braking. The back axle begins to bounce violently. So, a slightly better pad up front isn't a bad thing and I think you'll be pleased with the results. If you add HPS pads to the rear, that will work fine for street use as well (and many people autocross on just such a setup). For extreme use (road courses, etc), I'd run a more aggressive pad in the front an a stock or HPS pad in the rear, but we're getting far ahead of ourselves at this point.
Basically, yes, you'll be just fine with that setup. You'll probably be very impressed with the results.
10-29-2006, 08:59 PM
#6
TECH Apprentice
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
just autoX for first time on my new brake pads. Put the Hawk HPS up front and left the original in the back. Worked like a charm. Honestly, the difference was absolutely crazy. My first run I was braking waaaaay early bc i was used to the crappy worn pads 
10-29-2006, 09:09 PM
#7
Originally Posted by irnbru83
just autoX for first time on my new brake pads. Put the Hawk HPS up front and left the original in the back. Worked like a charm. Honestly, the difference was absolutely crazy. My first run I was braking waaaaay early bc i was used to the crappy worn pads
Trending Topics
10-31-2006, 01:46 PM
#10
On The Tree
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Seattle
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by hurley711
...I am replacing the fronts with Brembo blanks and Hawk HPS pads and the rears would still be OEM stuff
10-31-2006, 05:14 PM
#11
Originally Posted by BrianMSmith
Just me, I don't spend money unless I really need what I'm paying for.
And if he stops 12 feet shorter and avoids rear ending someone for the cost of a $60 set of brake pads, what's that worth? Parts store pads are great for parts store cars (that don't make 300+ hp and weigh 3,500 lbs). A pad upgrade is money well spent in the opinion of many. Do you have to? Nope. If it saves you being in an accident, is it worth a few extra dollars? It is to me. Only you can decide for yourself though.
Be safe.
10-31-2006, 06:21 PM
#12
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Brisbane, QLD, AUS
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by BrianMSmith
Not a problem, but unless you are driving your car on the track, you can save lots of money by buying cheap rotors on ebay for $40 each, and basic brake pads from an auto parts store. These will warp and overheat on track, but work fine on the road. .....Just me, I don't spend money unless I really need what I'm paying for.
While even certain "streetable" pads can be a little on the aggressive side (can prematurely wear rotors down to minimal operation thickness), with a little bit of driving style change, they and good rotors can last long and if they can provide a decreased stopping distance when called upon, it's a win win game.
