Brake Job

[isiahstites]

Back in February I pulled the front rotors off of Cami's Durango and had them turned as we had some pedal hop. I suspect at the time the back rotors had a lit bit of warping as well. I turned the rotors and they were just above the acceptable factory specs after the machining. Which to me means it won't be long until I am back here doing this very job again, because for me once a rotor is warped and you turn it, they warp twice as fast the second time around.

Typically, when a rotor warps on one of my vehicles I just swap them out with drilled and slotted rotors. Financial restrictions kept me from purchasing the good rotors this time around. So, I turned them and sure enough here it is October and we once again have a small amount of pedal hop. This does not really bother my wife, however, its maddening to me and a pet peeve when driving a vehicle.

Our last 3 vehicles have been manufactured by Dodge. They are notorious for their wonderful rotors that always warp, especially under 20k. This is the one thing about Dodge that I truly can not stand. Maybe Fiat can show them how brakes are suppose to be??

Here is what the OEM rotors and calipers look like.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5477.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5478.jpg

My wife's Durango has factory 20" wheels, here is a picture of my hand next to the caliper for a reference of how large the calipers are, bigger wheels require bigger brakes.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5479.jpg

Since my financial situation has slightly improved I was able to purchase a set of four rotors and pads for Cami's Durango.

I bought the Powerstop Rotors and Pads as I always do, they have performed well for me in the past.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5469.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5473.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5474.jpg


Here are a few shots of the actual parts.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5469.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5470.jpg


http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5471.jpg


Installed!
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5480.jpg


I have found these brakes to be ultra quiet with maximum stopping power. The pads are ceramic and do require a detailed break in period, however the hassle is worth the reward.

Often on my Dodge's I change to drilled and slotted rotors before 20k mikes. Cami's Durango has 22k on it and I did the upgrade last weekend. My Dodge truck has 20k on her and the pedal hop is very slight, but there. I will be saving my pennies to put a set on my truck as well.

Now you may ask why spend the extra money for the fancy brakes and pads when your regular ones work fine?

I do the upgrade every time because I have found with OEM brakes I can expect to change or turn the rotors 1-2 time prior to a 100k and the pads 4-5 time prior to 100k (maybe we are hard on brakes?). Every truck I have put slotted and drilled rotors on was the last time I ever had to touch the brakes. Basically, they were lasting longer than I owned the truck. The last set I did on my 03' Dodge went 80k without a pad change and I never had to touch the rotors. Not having to do the brakes over and over saves me time and money. Reason number two, increased stopping distances. Increased stopping distance could be the difference between not hitting another person or vehicle and hitting them. From memory I recall this set-up will reduce your stopping distance at 50-60 mph by about 30-40 feet and reduce rotor temperature from around 1200 degrees to around 600 degees. That is huge when you are trying to miss the ass end of that semi-trailer! With the precious cargo riding in my cars I would have it no other way and it only took about two hours to do all four corners.


Did I mention the whole set-up cost me $200 shipped.

Scott

[DarthRider]

Thanks for that Scotty, very interesting.

I've stated before how pleased I am with my 2000 Dakota 4.7L V8 with 108,000 miles...but this is really the only problem I have had. Turning the rotors every 20-30K or so. I replaced them once with high-performance ones, don't know the brand.
I use brakes pretty hard but have had very good luck with pad life however.
Mine has drum rear brakes (boo!) so no warpage and good shoe life.

And I just can't see how warped & humping brakes could possibly have the same braking force as properly operating once.

On a Dakota RT forum (my first Dakota) a guy was complaining about his humping brakes.
I told him not to complain, where I worked we didn't even get coffee brakes!:biggrinbounce2:

[isiahstites]

One thing I forgot to mention Dave is that you have to be careful in choosing a rotor. Especially, for big trucks with big wheels. Too much cross drilling and more slotting than necessary can lead to a cracked rotor. if you look at the pictures of the ones I bought you can see there is minimal drilling and small slots. This is enough to dissipate the heat by almost half by allowing all of the gases to escape and by rotating in cooler air. This is also achieved by the larger surface cooling area created by the slots and the holes from the drilling.

[DarthRider]

Thanks Scotty, good info.
The ones I got were not very radical.

[Boxerboy]

Cracked rotors! You gotta be wary of them!

I met one last week, in a tunnel, in peak hour!

http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?6,38690

Sorry for the highjack...just adding motorcycle content:icon_redface: :)

[DarthRider]

Steve! Is that your bike?
Sorry for all the carnage but it could have been a lot worse.
Glad you didn't drop it!

[jamming]

Scott, not 1 issue on my 03 Dodge Ram except for a TPS (throttle postion sensor). That was last summer and 35 bucks and 15 min. Well except for the fact it's been stolen twice :104:. Still waiting to see if its totalled from the last time.

If you could please forward the info on the pads and rotors. I'll put em on my next Dodge truck.

[Boxerboy]

Steve! Is that your bike?
Sorry for all the carnage but it could have been a lot worse.
Glad you didn't drop it!

Yep. Near death experience that one. If I was off, I was mince! Trucks galore at peak hour. Damn rotor!

[Boxerboy]

Steve! Is that your bike?
Sorry for all the carnage but it could have been a lot worse.
Glad you didn't drop it!

Yep. Near death experience that one. If I was off, I was mince! Trucks galore at peak hour. Damn rotor!

Airbear said he would've organised a good send off though!

[DarthRider]

Airbear said he would've organised a good send off though!

Well yeah, and we would certainly have participated in honoring a lost Brother.
So I guess you cost us a party, eh...?:webers:

[Deans BMW]

Roger, My '96 Dodge truck, a 2500 W/4WD and that fantastic V-10 had all the brake discs replaced under warrenty. That set up of Scotts looks great and only $200.00.

BTW, I loved that truck, would pull a 19,000 load up here from Mesa and still pass everything in site. Had to sell it as it was too expensive when we first lived up here.

[BobFV1]

Just one word.

Jackstands.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r98/isiahstites/misc/100_5480.jpg

[isiahstites]

Eight words:

They're out of the picture on both sides

[Biff's R]

I had ball joint problems with my Ford F150. That kind of jacked up the front rotors. Life goes on. If I have to replace them again, I will definitely check out your set up.

What really pissed me off was the lock on the hole to access the spare tire is seized up. I was lucky someone else from work was close by and let me use their spare tire. Nothing like having to get a tow, because the antitheft element of the spare tire made it impossible to use.

[BobFV1]

Eight words:

They're out of the picture on both sides

Four words - I figured as much :eusa_clap:

Nice rotors.

[isiahstites]

Four words - I figured as much :eusa_clap:

Nice rotors.

Two words,

Thanks Bob

[Dirty Doug]

Scott,
Don't know why you've had so much trouble with rotors. I have over 150,000 on my 2002 Durango and only had to replace the rotors at 100,000. I always replace the pads at 25,000 so that might add to the life of the rotors. Who knows? I'm at the point with the Durango that even though it's in great shape it's considered used up and isn't worth much. I think the Blue Book has it at about $4,000.00 at best. For that I'd rather have it as a back-up. How about the new truck? Are you having any problems with it? I still love mine at 18,000 miles and ticking.

Dirty Doug

[isiahstites]

I am starting to get a little bit of pedal hop on the new truck. Maybe I am just hard on brakes.

Scott

[Rchop]

I am starting to get a little bit of pedal hop on the new truck. Maybe I am just hard on brakes.

Scott

Where have you heard that before? :cover:

[Donson]

I recently put brakes al the way round on My 03 F-150 FX4 Off Road,at 75,000 miles. We turned the rotors at minimum setting,just to avoid squealing.Could have got another 5-6 thousand out of those pads,but...not bad for original pads.

[Ed K]

Guys,

I also need to replace the rotors for my 1997 5.7 Liter Z-28 Camaro due to pedal hop, and its also time to replace the pads.

Any recommendations for the Camaro?

Thanks.

[isiahstites]

Ed - Fast shipping via FED EX and what I feel is an excellent product. Not bad for $98 shipped.

Scott

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camaro-94-95-96-97-Brake-Rotors-Ceramic-Pads-Front_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem439ac93376QQitemZ 290359686006QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAc cessories

[Ed K]

Wow... thanks Scott...

$98 shipped, for two drilled and slotted rotors, and cermanic pads!