Brake Guru's wanted

**vballdust** · 03-24-2010

My 07 GP has got 66k miles on her and I believe it’s time for new pads and rotors. I don't drive real aggressive and have been satisfied with how the OEM pads have performed. I will probably get to Advance/AutoZone for replacements.

The questions that I have are; does it matter what type of pads and rotors I get? i.e..semi-metallic ect... And, do I need and special tools? I got basic stuff, jack and stands and plenty of hand tools.

Anybody have any special tips that will save me a headache or two? I have only assisted in changing brake pads in the past, this will be my first time tackling it myself.

Thanks any advice

**Ridin ON Chrome** · 03-24-2010

depends on how much you want to spend.

semi-metallic are fine. Its just some of them might squeak. Ceramics will be better for performance and less brake dust.

If your getting blank stock rotors. It really doesnt matter. There all the same pretty much...

and basic hand tools fine. Dont need anything special except maybe a TQ wrench for the caliper bolts and wheel lug nuts

**vballdust** · 03-25-2010

Thanks for the heads up on the semi metallic squeaks. I will try to find ceramic replacements

The last time I helped doing brake I remember having to put clamps on the calipers to prevent them from collapsing. I hope I don't have to do that. It was very time consuming.

Thanks again for the advice

**Lvgrandprix2003** · 03-25-2010

Ceramic pads will squeak also. My old 04 GTP did. I replaced it all with Raybestes rotors and Pads all the way around. Sueaked for a couple months but then it went away.

**cerick08GP** · 03-25-2010

Originally Posted by vballdust

Thanks for the heads up on the semi metallic squeaks. I will try to find ceramic replacements

The last time I helped doing brake I remember having to put clamps on the calipers to prevent them from collapsing. I hope I don't have to do that. It was very time consuming.

Thanks again for the advice

Well, I switched over to all Hawk ceramic pads last year. No downs side at all compared to OEM, no squeaking and the same braking power. However, IMO they really don’t make less dust, the dust is just more agreeable since it is lighter colored so you don’t notice it at a distance. Also don’t freak if you install ceramics and you see a lot of dust the first week, that is just them getting mated the to rotor.
Also, you will need that clamp to push the brake cylinder in. It is a PITA without a clamp to get it pushed in all the way. And don’t forget to open your brake fill cover.

**vballdust** · 03-25-2010

I think I have decided to go with Duralast Gold ceramic pads. The are in stock and seem to be the popular replacement pad. I will be getting the Duralast rotors with the pads. The guy at Autozone suggested the caliper tool for the rear calipers. He says it helps rotate as you push in for just the rear calipers. Renting from Autozone is cheap if not free. Thanks for all the advice guys. I feel good about tackling this.

**MikeB91** · 05-19-2010

Nice board. First time poster. I'm ressurecting this thread because I just bought a used 2007 GT. It has a very small shimmy when braking so I'm thinking the rotors are slightly warped. The dealer actually gave me new Wagner BD126178 Rotors which I think are pretty good. They also gave me some Brake Best MKD921 pads which appear to be for the GXP so that's no help. Anyway, I guess my questions are...Are these rotors OK??? what pads???

I like the idea of ceramic pads since the dust is lighter but I didn't seem to have a dust problem on my 98 Grand Prix using raybestos PG plus pads and I've seen some ceramic pads cut into the rotors. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

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