rotors and pads

booked101 · 06-06-2012, 09:12 AM

So I'm getting new tires put on and the shop walked me to the back while my Jeep was on the rack to show me something. They showed me the front brake pads. Driver side was really worn down, almost to nothing. Passenger side was full, looked almost brand new. The front rotors also looked really rusted and the drivers side one looks like it had some chips missing around the edges.

So my question is, is there any specific brand of rotors and pads I should go for? Or will the run of the mill autozone stuff work fine? I like to upgrade stuff when things break but I'm not looking to break the bank either.

98mopar · 06-06-2012, 09:20 AM

Just depends on what you are looking for. I feel a rotor is a rotor, and it makes no difference which one you buy. But pads there are differences. You can buy the cheap $20 pad set, but there are semi metallic, so you will have lots of brake dust, and your brakes will more often than not squeal. Or you can get the more expensive ones "ceramic" and not run into those issues.

As far as reliabilitly goes, anything should be fine.

booked101 · 06-06-2012, 09:33 AM

Ceramic it is.

98mopar · 06-06-2012, 09:39 AM

Make sure you get them and not your shop. I always hate how shops charge list price and then charge you around $65 an hour for labor. Its a joke. I had to put some tie rods on a 04 volvo. and the guy was sooo shocked when I told him his part was $60 and my labor $20. (took about 20 min. to do). He was so happy he gave me $40. Volvo wanted around $450 including alignment. And because I rock he went to get an alignment and didn't need one. HA. But I guess my point is. Shops are a complete rip off. Find you a good garage tech. We work for real people prices.

booked101 · 06-06-2012, 09:41 AM

I tend to think of myself and my friends as good garage techs. The Guy at the shop first quoted me around $500 for pads, rotors, brake system flush and to mount the tires. I told him to take off the rotors and flush and just quote me on the pads. He said about $250, HA! I'll do it myself for cheap.

98mopar · 06-06-2012, 10:05 AM

exactly!

Pay one eighth of the vehicles value just on front brakes. lol.

**coralman** · 06-06-2012, 11:39 AM

Just my 2c,I was really happy with centric premium rotors and hawk performance pads. The rotors come with a really nice cross hatch pattern on them for pad break in and the hat and edges are painted or coated. The pads haven't given off any dust visable and seem to grab alittle better. Ferro-carbon whatever thats worth.