136K miles on the original brakes!

[reefgeorge]

I just did the first brake job on my 2002 Blazer after 136K miles. All pads were still legal (barely) and only one rotor had a slight lateral runout problem (right rear). What type and brand of pads did this truck come with (4 wheel disk, ABS)? They were very quiet and had almost no dust. I would like to get this kind of performance out of all my brakes.

Thanks,

George

[GunsOfNavarone]

George,

Are you the original owner? GM brakes are not known for the longetivity.

[reefgeorge]

I am the original owner and know for a fact that the brakes have never been worked on. The only thing that this truck has ever needed until now is wiper blades, tires, oil, filters, belt, radiator, front wheel hub, and a window motor. Now it's brakes, rotor, steering/suspension parts, hood hinge bolts, door hinges/bushings/seals, spark plugs/wires, distr cap, etc.

As a side note, the Blazer gets generally poor reviews and was never very well regarded but I had less trouble with this vehicle than almost any other car/truck I ever owned (around 30) which has ranged from Impala's to Porsche's. At least up to 130K miles.

George

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by GunsOfNavarone

George,

Are you the original owner? GM brakes are not known for the longetivity.

Front pads on my '97 went out around 24k miles.
On the third set now at 71k miles. Tried a set of Napa Ceramics, they're crap.
Have autozone semi-metalics on now (LLT guaranty)

I have yet to change the rear shoes. they're in excellant shape.

Originally Posted by reefgeorge

I am the original owner and know for a fact that the brakes have never been worked on. The only thing that this truck has ever needed until now is wiper blades, tires, oil, filters, belt, radiator, front wheel hub, and a window motor. Now it's brakes, rotor, steering/suspension parts, hood hinge bolts, door hinges/bushings/seals, spark plugs/wires, distr cap, etc.

As a side note, the Blazer gets generally poor reviews and was never very well regarded but I had less trouble with this vehicle than almost any other car/truck I ever owned (around 30) which has ranged from Impala's to Porsche's. At least up to 130K miles.

George

After the lemon that was the '97 model year (5 separate recalls), they finally got it figured out by '02.

Good for you.

[MT-2500]

For GM oem stuff go to your GM parts dealer.
Gm oem pads are priced good and have all mounting hardware needed for a good installation
But auto parts places have good quality pads and rotors to.
If a rotor is warped or worn I always replace the rotor.
Most people try to go cheap on pads or rotors.
If you want them to last ask the parts place for there best oem type pad and rotor.
136K is extra good.
The driver and how he drives determins how long pads last.
And remember easy on the gas and easy on the stopping makes the pad last a lot longer.
And be sure to torque the lug nuts to keep rotors from warping.
Good Luck

[reefgeorge]

The dealer was unable to tell me the pad vendor or the compound used. Given that I used Wagner Thermo Quiet ceramic pads and a mid priced Bendix rotor for the warped replacement.

BTW, the parts store only had a cheaper Wearever rotor in stock originally so I bought it to finish the job in the beginning. It was warped out of the box hence the Bendix upgrade. ALso, both rear calipers were locked up after retraction to accomodate the new pads so they got replaced in round 2. I doubt that I will ever know the mileage of the new Wagner pads unless they are junk. They are nice and quiet at least for the first few hundered miles. Sure wish there was a way to know the original pad make and type. I would use those everywhere that they made a direct cross.

George

[reefgeorge]

Update

I have 10K miles on these replacement Wagner Thermo Quiet Ceramic brake pads. They are dust free, quiet, and have good stopping power. I will probably never find out the mileage at the end of their life but they perform very well.

George

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by reefgeorge

Update

I have 10K miles on these replacement Wagner Thermo Quiet Ceramic brake pads. They are dust free, quiet, and have good stopping power. I will probably never find out the mileage at the end of their life but they perform very well.

George

Thanks for the update and report on wagner thermo quiet pads.

If you put 10K in 6 mo you need to recheck them in around 2-1/2 years or 50K

Brake life depends a lot on how big/heavy your right foot.
Good luck

[reefgeorge]

I am at 40K miles and all is well. Great pads!