Replacement Brakes

[GeorgeLG]

My 2002 Blazer (2wd) needs new brakes. I have 126K miles on the truck and the brakes still have some miles left on them! How do I choose After market brake pads and rotors ro get the same incredible life and zero brake dust? The front rotors did warp so an upgrade there might be a benefit.

Thanks,

George

[Blue Bowtie]

Whenever purchasing rotors, shop for North American castings. The majority of import castings I've used are back within six months for pulsation (hard sports, warpage, runout). Domestic castings (Canada, Mexico, U.S.) typically have a higher nickel content instead of being plain gray iron castings. Heat resistance is much geater as a result. GM calls them "Durastop" rotors, but Bendix, Raybestos, and Kelsey-Hayes all offer a "premium" higher nickel casting.

As for the pads, it's frequently a matter of preference. If you want long life and no dust, and don't mind a little nose, ceramics are good. If you want dead quiet pads, and don;t care as much about life or stopping power, semi-metallic/organic pads are an option. If you want ultimate braking power and don't care as much about noise and dust, carbon metallics are king. I use them, and they are both messy (the sides of the black car get noticably "blacker") and noisy (squeal a bit at low speed while brakes are not applied) but will stop a locomotove on a pin head.

If you've had a satisfying experience with what you have, I'd head right back to an AC/Delco parts supplier and get the same thing. That's an easy call.

[GeorgeLG]

Thank you for the detailed response.

I tried the route of just getting the same pads as OEM since I liked them so much but Delco shows multiple versions for my model:

01 171-596 PAD KIT,FRT DISC BRK 2 WHEEL DRIVE

02 17D154C PAD KIT,FRT DISC BRK DURASTOP CERAMIC RIVETED 2 WHEEL DRIVE

01 17D726CH PAD KIT,FRT DISC BRK DURASTOP CERAMIC FOR DURASTOP, CERAMIC RECOMMENDED DUE TO ORIG EQUIP BRAKE PARAMETERS W/HARDWARE RIVETED

01 17D726 PAD KIT,FRT DISC BRK DURASTOP NAO FOR DURASTOP, CERAMIC RECOMMENDED DUE TO ORIG EQUIP BRAKE PARAMETERS RIVETED

02 17D154MHP PAD KIT,FRT DISC BRK DURASTOP SEMI MET H/PERF


Do you have any suggestions on how to determine which ones I have?

Thanks,

George

[GeorgeLG]

What are some good quality US manufacturers for brake pads and rotors?

Thanks,

George

[GunsOfNavarone]

Replying to an old post- but hopefully worth a late comment.

Raybestos is an awesome brake supplier. Manufacutured in McHenry, Illinois. I have never ever had a problem with their products and never a squeek. I always spend the extra $10 for their advanced product line. They even include color technical installation tips printed on the inside of their cartons (for guys like me who ruin paper installation guides in about 30 seconds with grease).

[85 SS kid]

Even later post, I was thinking of doing something like slotted rotors with ceramic pads on my 98 Blazer 4X4 for good stopping power.

P.S. The Raybestos place in McHenry is closed. My dad used to work there and they pretty much closed the brake factory there, sad but true.

[b1lk1]

Slotted rotors are a waste and won't help anything. If you want better stopping stick to good high quality high end parts.