Best place to buy new brakes/pads?

[Solidhead]

My Brake light came on...time to change em. What's the best place to get em at for 95 Grand am?

[GTP Dad]

Depends on the type of driving you do. I like Performance Friction Carbon Metallics from Autozone. You can also get ceramic pads from various places although they are expensive. Tire Rack.com sells pads as well. However, if your brake light came on you may have a leak in the brake hydraulic system. I would get it checked asap.

[Hoags]

Like GTPDad states, there are lots of places to get brakes...all depends on driving habits, and budget. AutoZone is a national chain that carries all kinds of brakes. If you are changing brakes all of the way aroung the car, I would suggest that you purchase a new rear brake hardware kit, thet're not too expensive and you can replace all of the springs for the rear brakes. Also, make sure you adjust the rear brakes and keep them in adjustment it will help stop the car properly as well as helping extend the life of the front brakes. One way to keep them in adjustment after they have been adjusted at install is to drive the car in reverse and apply the parking brake this resets the brake adjusters.

A lot of the brake manufacturers have pads and shoes that have life time guarentees, so when you ware out a set you just have to take them back for a replacement set.
Good luck.

[Knifeblade]

I took the liberty of re-inforcing Dan's post. Get the hardware, it not expensive and can save ya all kinds of grief later on. If ya ever had a rear brake hold-down spring bust out and toss the shoe at 70 mph, you would definately know why I reiterate what Dan is tellin' ya.



If you are changing brakes all of the way aroung the car, I would suggest that you purchase a new rear brake hardware kit, thet're not too expensive and you can replace all of the springs for the rear brakes. Also, make sure you adjust the rear brakes and keep them in adjustment it will help stop the car properly as well as helping extend the life of the front brakes. One way to keep them in adjustment after they have been adjusted at install is to drive the car in reverse and apply the parking brake this resets the brake adjusters.

[Hoags]

Solidhead,
If you have not done the brakes before [even if you have, like me] when I change the rears I to it one wheel at a time... I take both wheels and drums off and change one and use the other for a reference just in case I forget a spring location or the placement of a component.

Another thing about the hardware kit is that all of the parts are color coated so that you can not mix up the placement it can be helpful.

Good luck,
Dan

[Knifeblade]

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d8009e43b.jsp

helps visualize what GTP and Hoags are sayin'