Best C3 Brake Pads?

[Tom Bryant]

What's your opinion on the best C3 brake pads? Anyone tried the new ceramics? They say they are easy on the rotors and the dust is white and doesn't stick to anything. How about carbon metallics? What do you use?

Tom

 

[JohnZ]

Tom, unless you're road-racing, the OEM (GM #18028641) pads are probably your best bet, and your rotors will last forever with them. Anything more aggressive (like metallics, etc.) will be of no benefit whatsoever on the street, and they WILL eat your rotors. Rotor replacement is a major hassle - pads are cheap.

 

[Stallion]

When do you guys usually change your pads? Of course, if they wear down it's necessary, but do you have any "set" number of days just as a precaution? Because I'm not 100% sure of the condition of my pads (we just got the Vette Feb. 1) and maybe I should change them?

What is your view on this?

 

[Tom Bryant]

I'm replacing the originals with 50,000 miles on them. They have many thousand miles left on them but the left outer got wet when that caliper piston leaked. I cleaned it at sanded it but I can still feel it pull slightly. I only drove it about 36 miles today but I think the writing is on the wall. I would have liked to waite til I put new rear calipers on next winter. They aren't leaking but from the looks of the left front and the gunk that was in the system their days are numbered. Might as well do it while I'm in the mood.

Unless they are real worn it's hard to judge how much is worn off without a new one to compare with. If they are 50% or less I would replace them. You will notice a big difference in pedal with new pads.

Tom

 

[JohnZ]

New OEM pads are 3/8" thick (just the pad, not including the backing plate), and you'll start to contact the rivet heads at about .100" thickness.

 

[76L82]

My thought on this...without any scientific rigor to back it up...is that anytime those darn pistons begin to get extended out from their seats you're inviting air to enter the system. I have replaced darn near everything on the brake system and still get that fading/spongy pedal.

Unless you are really hard on the brakes, changing the pads every 20 thousand miles or 3 three years would seem safe. I have had organic...changed over to metallic...don't feel a difference at all.

 

[Stallion]

Okay thanks for the tips. When I get a couple extra bucks and some extra time I think I will change them. Just because I dont know what condition they are in. Thanks!

 

[drspencer]

Where's the best place to buy OEM pads?

Thanks

 

[JohnZ]

Where's the best place to buy OEM pads?

Thanks

Paragon. #3657K, $15.00 per axle set (2 sets to do the whole car).