Brake Pad replacement-how to

[Darens500]

Have 49,000 miles on original stock 2002 SLT Envoy. Need brakes. IS their any brand I should avoid. Also, should I cut the rotors or leave as is. (Dealer wants $400- I can probably do for $150 myself. Is there any tips for brake pad replacement. I have done brakes on older cars (60's & 70's GM) and I think it should be fairly the same.

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You're absolutley right - the brakes are no biggy. You are going to need a nice big breaker bar to break lose the rear caliper bracket bolts. GM puts loc-tite on them and tightens the living $*@& out of them. Be patient, they will break lose.

Dont do what I did - at the time I bought the 'Voy, I had spent all of my $$ on the down payment and went el-cheapo on the pads and rotors. Well, not exactly "cheap". The cheapest rotors I could find were $40/ea for the front and $80/ea for the rear!! Then the pads were $25 for the front and $75 for the rear. BE SURE to get a synthetic brake lube for the contact points that need to be greased! (I always do that, but this time it didnt make a difference)

Now I went to AutoZone and got the lowest brand they had. BIG MISTAKE! They squeal and squeek all of the time, Ive got about 8,000 miles on them. The rear rotors have grooves in them already, the fronts look ok.

Go for the ceramic pads and get a good high quality brand name of rotors. It's gonna cost a few extra $$, but its worth it. I imagine I will be spending another $200 soon to re-do the crappy ones I put on there a few months ago.

Ive been working on cars for over 15 years and have done countless brake jobs. Some of my customers have gotten 40k+ out of the brakes I've done. However, I figured on my own vehicle I could "skimp" and go cheap because it doesnt matter to anybody but me. Im regretting that decision.

Go with the good quality pads and rotors and be set for another 40k. Just my $.02

[Tecknology]

I can do some scrapign around on EF and get back to you....

[Tom1999d]

I have 90K on my 2002 SLE. Brakes are next. I have had great luck with Raybestos brack pads & rotors. Check the caliper sliders while you have everything apart. Look for torn boots.

Let us know how it comes out.

Tom