best brake pads and rotors?

lsejlowe · 01-05-2009, 05:56 PM

my '02 Overland is rolling up on 98K and it's time for new brakes. It's essentially stock and I don't do much towing, but I would like to be able to tow a trailer if the need arises. I do some occasional offroading, so good wet/mud traction is a must. The rotors appear somewhat grooved, so I plan to replace pads and rotors on all 4 corners. After doing a fair bit of reading, I'm struggling with which brands to buy. I've heard good things about the ECB Greenstuff and Yellowstuff pads, but they seem like overkill for a stock application. However, I'm hesitant to go with the cheapo Autozone parts because I'd rather not cut any corners when it comes to brakes.

Right now I'm looking at a set of Brembo rotors ($110 for fronts, $106 for rears) and Hawk SUV pads ($74 for front set, $62 for rear set) on tirerack.com: tirerack brakes

I just spent $650 on new tires, so I'd rather spend less, but if this is the best route I'll just bite the bullet. Would a full set of Wagner rotors and pads be a bit cheaper without sacrificing quality?

Also, does anyone know the VIN break between Teves and Akebono calipers? WJjeeps says it was May 10th, 2002, but I'm not sure how to translate that to VIN. My serial number is 330018

DothanJeep · 01-05-2009, 05:57 PM

EBC Green Stuff.

BlackShuck · 01-05-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsejlowe

Also, does anyone know the VIN break between Teves and Akebono calipers? WJjeeps says it was May 10th, 2002, but I'm not sure how to translate that to VIN. My serial number is 330018

You could save yourself the number trouble and just take a peek at your calipers. Akebono are more silver colored. Teves are supposed to be darker, though mine are more rusty colored than anything. If you see some ~1/16" wire thingers near the hub, = Teves. The Akebono don't have them, but rather a metal support flange kinda thing.

I saw some pictures once, I'll have to steal them and post them. EDIT:

99avant · 01-05-2009, 06:17 PM

I like my rotors from NAPA. They have a pretty good warranty, and napa is usually real good about taking stuff back.

Pretty cheap too.

lsejlowe · 01-05-2009, 06:18 PM

awesome, thanks for the pics. They're definitely Akebono's (bottom pic). From the reading I've done so far it seems like most people have gotten by pretty well with the cheaper Autozone stuff. For a typical street driving are those good enough? I'd hate to spend the $$ on a higher quality set or rotors and then end up warping them or something...

Care to elaborate on the ECB Greens?

**Kolak** · 01-05-2009, 06:25 PM

You might want to check out the sale on Stillen rotors and pads I was running over at the vendor forum:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f43/stillen-rotors-pads-end-year-sale-654094/

I can still get you in on the deal if you are interested. It's a very worthwhile upgrade.

**ZJPunk98** · 01-05-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dothanjeep

EBC Green Stuff.

Definitely EBC green or yellow stuff. I have the yellow all around and the EBC slotted and dimpled rotors in the front and ebc blanks in the rear

Go EBC!!!

BlackShuck · 01-05-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsejlowe

From the reading I've done so far it seems like most people have gotten by pretty well with the cheaper Autozone stuff. For a typical street driving are those good enough? I'd hate to spend the $$ on a higher quality set or rotors and then end up warping them or something..

We must not have been reading the same material.

True though that some have been happy with them, but these same people that were happy with them didn't mind utilizing the lifetime warranty that they came with every 30K miles.

Just seems like a pain to have to return them every 3 years, not to mention the labor involved. Since you have the akebono you're a step up on me, but I'd suggest at least the Brembos. They have proved successful for some here.

99avant · 01-05-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackShuck

True though that some have been happy with them, but these same people that were happy with them didn't mind utilizing the lifetime warranty that they came with every 30K miles.

Autozone quality != Napa Quality

I am more than happy to get 30k out of brakes...

BlackShuck · 01-05-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99avant

I am more than happy to get 30k out of brakes...

This is what I'm referring to. I've been dealing with brake pulsing for over 45,000 miles now. I'll be installing stillen rotors in the near future and they better last at least 100,000 miles. For me, time is money. And I'd rather not be installing new rotors every few years.

Disclaimer: Nothing against avant, everyone has their own style and luck with brakes. (just illustrating my prior statement)

99avant · 01-05-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackShuck

This is what I'm referring to. I've been dealing with brake pulsing for over 45,000 miles now. I'll be installing stillen rotors in the near future and they better last at least 100,000 miles. For me, time is money. And I'd rather not be installing new rotors every few years.

Disclaimer: Nothing against avant, everyone has their own style and luck with brakes. (just illustrating my prior statement)

Exactly, nothing wrong with either path.

Make sure it really is your brakes pulsating before you drop that serious coin, but Im sure you have if you have had 45K to think about it.

BlackShuck · 01-05-2009, 07:01 PM

I get some MAD steering shimmy when I apply brakes in the 45+ mph zone. And even when I'm slowing to a red light, if I put slight constant pressure on the brakes and roll forward.....The Jeep will roll a bit, then I can feel it kinda grab, then it will roll easier again, and kinda grab again. Seems as though with each rotation of the rotor it will grab harder in certain places than other. Is this warpage? Or something completely different and more serious?

99avant · 01-05-2009, 08:03 PM

Could be your calipers. One of mine was frozen up and causing some wicked shimmy under heavy braking. A replacement and new fluid fixed that right up.

But we are getting off topic here.

I really don't believe that drilled or slotted rotors are necessary.. A street jeep's brakes will not be getting that hot to need that. Any reduction in surface area is a reduction in the effective surface.

**Kolak** · 01-05-2009, 08:18 PM

That runs counter to my experience with our Jeeps. Drilled rotors, when properly done, definitely increase cooling and reduce stopping distaneces. The DOT did a very comprehensive study of drilled rotors a couple year ago by the way, confirming that they shorten stopping distances, even for the very first hard stop.

The Stillens have been an exemplary product over my 12 years of being their vendor, and 15 years in using them on my Jeeps. If you want improved safety and performance, they are well worth the investment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 99avant

Could be your calipers. One of mine was frozen up and causing some wicked shimmy under heavy braking. A replacement and new fluid fixed that right up.

But we are getting off topic here.

I really don't believe that drilled or slotted rotors are necessary.. A street jeep's brakes will not be getting that hot to need that. Any reduction in surface area is a reduction in the effective surface.

**ZJPunk98** · 01-05-2009, 10:13 PM

EBC!!!

sorry.. had to say that. I like ebc

www.perfectbrakes.com A guy Joe owns/runs the company. I have ebc on my jeep and jetta. He has the best prices I could find.

01-05-2009, 06:17 PM	#4
99avant Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Marquette, Michigan Posts: 1,318 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I like my rotors from NAPA. They have a pretty good warranty, and napa is usually real good about taking stuff back. Pretty cheap too. __________________ \|94 XJ\|4.0\|NP231\|AW4\|8.25 Trac Lock\|Lotsa miles - SOLD \|99 WJ\|4.7\|242HD\|Vari-lok\|Upcountry+BB\|DT8000\|Dead as of 10/29/2009 If it aint broke, fix it till it is.

01-05-2009, 06:25 PM	#6
Kolak Vendor Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,872 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	You might want to check out the sale on Stillen rotors and pads I was running over at the vendor forum: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f43/stillen-rotors-pads-end-year-sale-654094/ I can still get you in on the deal if you are interested. It's a very worthwhile upgrade. __________________ Kolak Performance and Offroad Member: Specialty Equipment Market Association Telephone: 480 998-3661 kolak@aol.com or kolak@kolakperformance.com

01-05-2009, 08:03 PM	#13
99avant Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Marquette, Michigan Posts: 1,318 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Could be your calipers. One of mine was frozen up and causing some wicked shimmy under heavy braking. A replacement and new fluid fixed that right up. But we are getting off topic here. I really don't believe that drilled or slotted rotors are necessary.. A street jeep's brakes will not be getting that hot to need that. Any reduction in surface area is a reduction in the effective surface. __________________ \|94 XJ\|4.0\|NP231\|AW4\|8.25 Trac Lock\|Lotsa miles - SOLD \|99 WJ\|4.7\|242HD\|Vari-lok\|Upcountry+BB\|DT8000\|Dead as of 10/29/2009 If it aint broke, fix it till it is.