05 Z71 Crew Cab Brake Upgrade ??'s

[rbbauer]

I have an '05 Z71 Crew Cab that is having some major vibrations when braking, especially hard braking and downill braking. I live in the SW Virgina/Eastern Kentucky area so I am constantly going up and down mountains. I try to downshift when going downhill, but in spite of this I think I have warped my rotors. The vibrations only happen when I brake and are really bad when braking down steep hills. I have about 43k miles, no warranty left and a limited budget. All of my drivetrain, engine, wheels, etc. are stock. This leads me to these questions:

1) Are the rotors most likely the cause of the vibrations? Could it be anything else? And if so, how can I tell what is causing it?

2) Assuming it is my brake rotors, I will need to replace them. Are the slotted/drilled aftermarket rotors better than the OEM rotors? if so which should I go with? Brembro has slotted rotors and drilled rotors. Is there a difference? Braking Performance has rotors that are slotted, drilled, and vented all on the same rotor. Has anyone used these products?

3) If I upgrade the rotors, should I still buy stock brake pads? From the other posts it seems the GM OEM pads are the best out there. Are they compatible with slotted/drilled rotors?

Thanks for your help,
Brad

[MT-2500]

If you just feel the shake when braking it is usually rotors warped.
A lot of the 2005 were OEM equipped with ceramic pads. Normal braking they do alright.
And for normal braking the dealer OEM pads are good.
BUT.
Heavy or severe braking you will may need to upgrade.
If new rotors are needed it would be a good time to go for slotted rotors on front brakes.
The slotted air cooled rotors will take the heat and extended braking a lot better.
With them I would use a severe duty metallic pad.
Also be a good time to go a severe duty pad on the rear to.
Most of the braking is on the front so on the rear you may be able to use your old rotors. But the pads need to match the front pads.
Carqest/raybestes does have and other parts places may have a good selection of the heavy duty slotted rotors and severe duty pads.
But remember with metallic pads them chrome wheels will pick up a lot of brake dust but they will slow you down on the down hill grades.
Good luck
MT

[rjeffery]

If you don't want to shell out for new rotors, you can probably get your current ones machined (if they are not too badly damaged). Any brake shop can do it for you. I took mine to Pep Boys and they machined them for $6/rotor.

The brake pads seem to last forever, but the rotors on these trucks are known for warping quickly.