Fix Your Brakes Once And For All

[Sinkhole]

Okay Here We Go !! The major problem with the brakes on our Impalas is heat. The car heavy and the brakes are small. This leads to alot of heat build up, which causes the rotors to warp. I like everyone else had this problem with my '03 Impala. The answer to the problem is to replace the pads and rotors with ones designed to handle the heat. I chose to go with Power Slot Rotors. They are slotted to help promote quicker and even cooling. You can purchase them from Tire Rack if you can't find them locally. there is a seperate part number for each wheel has the slots are angled and must go in the proper direction. Heres the part numbers.
1999-2004 IMPALA
Left Front :8664 PSL
Right Front : 8664 PSR
Left Rear : 8258 PSL
Right Rear : 8258 PSR
I also chose to go with a set of Hawk ceramic brake pads which will withstand heat much better. Again you get these from Tire Rack. Heres the part numbers.
1999-2004 IMPALA
Front : HB360Z.670
Rear : HB359Z.543
Make sure the back of the pads are sprayed with a good quality brake quiet, like Permatex.
Also, and this is very important.
DO NOT torque the wheels with an impact gun.
make sure they done by hand and to factory torque specs, cant remember it of the top of my head.
And for those with alloy wheels make sure the wheels are re-torqued after 25-50 miles. the lug nuts may loosen up on aluminum wheels. This solved my brake problems, and the my car stops a whole lot better also.

[bigrod118]

well impalas are 100 ft/lbs. and you can put the lugs on with an impact gun, but you have to make sure there to the spec. torque, and not higher. I put mine on with a impact gun but only to about 90 ft/lbs, then take my torque wrench to do the rest. and thats another reason for rotor warping and people just crank on the lugs and there on too tight and uneven.

[Sinkhole]

Yup, your method will work just fine. For those of us who know what we're doing that works just great. but for those not in the know, let them do it by hand to be safe.

[bigrod118]

well yeah, I agree that for those who know what to do and what tools to use can take those short cuts and for those who dont konw as much should play it safe, and my next comment is not in any way meant ro be mean or sound like I have an attitude towards you, but at the same time of telling the safe way, you should explain why it is the safe way to help people learn and understand, thats kind of the reason for forums and to share konwledge and ask questions to solve problems but to also learn, thats the only reason I went into a little bit more detail about why the correct torque is needed because for a long time I used to put on my lugs as tight as I cuold get them and I replaced all four rotors on my old car about 4 or 5 times on one year, and those were big brakes on a small car, whcih like you said the impala is a big car with small brake and it does put a lot of sterss on the brakes and the only real way around the warping is either better driving to be prepared to brake or better brakes. but I hope those power slots work out for you, ive personally heard some not so good things about them and that they can still wear out quicker than other aftermarket brands, me personally would like brembo's for now until I can afford the baer big brakes, which someone else has put a baer kit of there impala, looked real nice.

[MoNsTeR`ImPaLa]

hey dont forget about the dummy bars lol there great for
not over torquing

[3.4imp]

power slot rotors and performance brake pads produce more heat than stock parts. if you wanna stop 10-15% better (if even that) they're a good choice. but if you buy them on the intention of curing the brake problems you'll probably be disappointed.

[MCO_Death]

Originally Posted by 3.4imp

power slot rotors and performance brake pads produce more heat than stock parts. if you wanna stop 10-15% better (if even that) they're a good choice. but if you buy them on the intention of curing the brake problems you'll probably be disappointed.

Quoting for the truth of it. My car has performance pads, great for stopping quick. I havn't had any rotor warping problems though.

[Pat_OD]

some guy bought some braer(i think thats the name) slotted and cross drilled rotors and pads and he said the company will take the rotors back if they warp and give you new ones. Thats a good damn deal. Only reason i havent done it is cause im broke.

[bigrod118]

its baer, the same stuff I was talking about, and yeah there rotors are gaurenteed. cant beat that

[Pat_OD]

would their rotors and calipers fit a steel rim 16" wheel? I thought some1 said that was an issue.

[bigrod118]

just go to www.baer.com and they should still have templates and kits that all you should have to do is measure the inside of your wheel and then go find the kit that will fit in there.