Opinions on T&C Minivan Brake Rotors & Disc Pads

Bob Shuman wrote:

> Bill,
>
> Who makes these performance pads? Are they quiet or will they squeal (my
> wife will make me take them off if they are noisy.) Thanks.

Your wife will make you take them off, eh? Methinks I now understand
your REAL problem.


Matt

It doesn't pay to resurface rotors. My jobber doesn't even do it anymore.
There just isn't enough material in the newer stuff anymore and they can be
replaced too cheaply. I simply put rotors/drums on every time I do
pads/shoes.
Larry
"Bob Shuman" > wrote in message
...
> Matt, Thanks for the response. My local NAPA offers Raybestos, Wagner,
> and
> Taiwanese import white box rotors. I went with Raybestos based on
> previous
> advice/recommendations in this newsgroup and they did fine from a warpage
> standpoint for the first set of pads. I had them resurfaced and now they
> are giving the trouble with the second set so that is why this time, even
> though they could probably get resurfaced, I will go for replacement
> again.
> Was just hoping Wagner might be a better choice or possibly might get
> different results with different braking material/pads.
>
> And, yes, I know technique is part of the problem here, but there is no
> chance this will change with any amount of "instruction" or "coercion".
>
> Bob
>
> "Matt Whiting" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Unfortunately, I didn't replace my pads and rotors last time my van
>> needed service as it was in for inspection so I told the garage to go
>> ahead and do the work. I don't know which manufacturer of parts they
>> used specifically, but I know they bought both rotors and pads at the
>> local NAPA shop. I'm guessing NAPA has a range of parts so I realize
>> that doesn't narrow it down for you.
>>
>> These parts are holding up better than the previous OEM parts did. No
>> pulsing in the pedal after more than 20,000 miles and the pads look to
>> have at least 70% of the material left. And the braking performance is
>> very good.
>
>

Here is an interesting article on the topic:

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...akedisk.shtml#

Ken


"Bob Shuman" > wrote in message
...
> I'm getting ready to do my wife's front brakes again on the 1999 T&C
> Minivan. It has 69K miles and this will be the third time the front pads
> and second time the rotors have needed to be replaced. The last couple of
> times I've gone with Raybestos Quiet Stop pads and their PG Plus rotors (I
> got away with resurfacing them last time around). Despite carefully
> torquing all the wheel lugs each and every time the wheels have been
> removed, they have not worn particularly well and with just 27K miles the
> pulsing has become unbearable, the stopping distance is absolutely
terrible,
> and the pads are worn down so will need replacing very shortly. (I plan
to
> do it when I get time come early September...)
>
> I'd like to hear opinions/experiences on the Wagner line of Severe Duty
> front disc pads as well as the Raybestos Brute Stop and Super Stop
compared
> with the current Quiet Stop pads I have been using. Also, any feedback on
> the Wagner rotors as compared to the Raybestos rotors would also be
> appreciated.
>
> The van sees a lot of short haul stop and go driving and adding to that is
> the fact that my wife is pretty hard on the brakes to begin with... To be
> clear, I would like to accomplish the following in priority order: 1)
> provide minimum stopping distance as this van is too heavy and does not
stop
> well to begin with, 2) eliminate/minimize the disc squeal when braking, 3)
> minimize time before rotor warpage/pulsing, 4) maximize time between pad
> changes and rotor resurfacing, and 5) minimize brake dust staining on the
> chrome wheels. Thanks in advance to all for their thoughts.
>
> Bob
>
>