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Need new Brake rotors... are these legit?

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phaxmohdem

phaxmohdem

Golden Member
As much as I enjoy the nice massage I get when I hit the brakes, I should probably get some new rotors for my car. (2003 grand prix se). I called up the O'Reilly Auto parts store in my town, and got a quote of $225 for all four rotors (the best set they carry for my car).

I can install new pads and rotors myself no problem... The issue here, is I have absolutely no idea what makes up a good set of rotors, or what to look for. I found these cross drilled numbers on eBay, and was wondering if anyone could determine whether or not they are crap or not, or offer any advice on what to get.

ebay auction link

Thanks in advance
 
Originally posted by: phaxmohdem
As much as I enjoy the nice massage I get when I hit the brakes, I should probably get some new rotors for my car. (2003 grand prix se). I called up the O'Reilly Auto parts store in my town, and got a quote of $225 for all four rotors (the best set they carry for my car).

I can install new pads and rotors myself no problem... The issue here, is I have absolutely no idea what makes up a good set of rotors, or what to look for. I found these cross drilled numbers on eBay, and was wondering if anyone could determine whether or not they are crap or not, or offer any advice on what to get.

ebay auction link

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

try the garage forum?
 
Ah sorry... I hang out in the hardware forums 99.98% of the time... I honestly didn't even know we had a car/garage forum.
 
You don't need crossdrilled or slotted for street cars. Cross drilled could potentially cause cracks in the rotor and they eat pads faster. I would spend less money and just get regular ol' rotors.
 
While "regular ol' rotors" are the better choice, there are distinct grades/quality differences in all those regular old rotors. Raybestos, for instance, has at least two different grades of regular rotors for his car, one that'd cost roughly $27-$28 per rotor and a higher quality line that'd cost roughly $50 per rotor. Wagner does the same thing as does AC/Delco, and on and on. In fact, there are a set of AC/Delco rotors for his car that run a tad over $100 per rotor and they're not slotted/crossdrilled hi perf. rotors at all.

As for that ebay auction, I find it odd that the seller can offer ceramic pads and rotors for all four wheels for under $200, makes me wonder about the quality of the whole kit.

Pads.....I'm partial to Bendix and Wagner. (Good Bendix ceramic pads should run around $45-$60 per axle, depending upon whether you choose their CQ or CT line....CT being the more costly of the two.)


Why the difference between the ebay junk and good rotors/pads? The metal on the rotor of a good quality one will be a bit thicker than a cheapie.....meaning you will probably be able to use the rotors on a second set of pads---you'll have enough metal to be able to turn the rotors once vs. the cheapies that'll be just thick enough to do the job but won't have enough thickness to turn them when changing pads when they wear out.
 
The rotors aren't any thicker. If they were you wouldn't be able to get the pads on. It's the quality of the metal...

And machining rotors is a waste of time these days. They're cheap enough that it makes sense to just replace them when the time comes. If they're warped and you turn them, they'll warp again as the metal has essentially turned into a spring. Event most car manufacturers these days recommend againt machining rotors - even if they're grooved. The new pads will wear right in.

If you want a difference in braking, look at pad compounds.

 
Personally, I just installed front rotors and pads all around on my 1999 Grand Prix ... I went to Tirerack.com and got the Brembo Rotors (non slotted or drilled) for about $60 each for the fronts. I also like Performance Friction Carbon Metallic brake pads, but the fronts run about $80 a set. But you will be very happy with the Brembo rotors. Top, well known name and excellent quality.
 
Yea best thing is to run regular flat rotors. Go to www.rockauto.com and see what they have. Will have a good selection and be cheaper. I also got my brake pads from there.

There is a 5% discount at fatwallet for rockauto. Also don;t forget to get oil filters and any other thing you may need in the same order to save shipping.
 
Powerstop makes some great rotors. I have a set like that except just slotted. I got some hawk hps pads and the braking is amazingly smooth and it bites hard again and again with no fading.
 
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