I need opinions on brakes!

[Oh Randi]

So, the time has come for me to replace my brakes. My mechanic informed me, while looking for that pesky boost leak, that my brakes are terrifying and need to be done ASAP. apparently the pads are almost down to metal and soon ill be looking at rebuilt calipers and my rotors are worn out pretty bad too. I've owned the car for 4 almost 5 years and I think the brakes are the only thing I've never messed with. That said, I know nothing about them. He recommended Wagner thermoquiet pads I believe, saying they're quiet and light on the brake dust (which is important to me!)

This is going to sound silly, but I want cool looking rotors. I like the vented look. Anyone have any suggestions for any brand? I'd like something that lasts and looks nice without being TOO crazy expensive.

Also, I know VW recommends changing the brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage, I know it's been at least 4, and knowing how horribly the PO took care of the car, I'm willing to bet its never been done. Would it be a good idea to do this at the same time?

[SMG]

Drilled / slotted rotors and low amounts of brake dust are mutually-exclusive. Anything but blank rotors is going to wear the brakes faster and create more dust.

I've never heard of that brand of brake pad before, is the mechanic the one who can order them in for you?

Mechanics are prone to recommend parts they can make money from. If you're looking for recommendations for a brake setup I'd recommend OEM or Brembo blank rotors and EBC / Hawk pads. Both claim to have low dust.

For daily cars that don't have fancy wheels I actually like OEM pads. They're relatively cheap, last a long time are quiet but they definitely make dust.

[Boost Master D]

I'm not sure of your budget but I ran across a set of front slotted rotors for $400 dollars last night. I need to go back in my history and see what they were ( I didn't pay too much attention) because I wasn't looking for brakes when I ran across them. My thought is this,...if your doing the brake pads and rotors, why not change or flush the system. Excellence is in the details, and if you are overdue its time anyhow. Let me find those rotors and I will get a link up for you soon.

cheers

[SMG]

Good god... OEM blanks are like 100 bucks a pair. Screw that.

[Boost Master D]

Originally Posted by SMG

Good god... OEM blanks are like 100 bucks a pair. Screw that.

Haha yeah a bit pricey,..Im sure there are cheaper ones. I just ran across those by accident.

[Oh Randi]

Lol my mechanic is actually a personal friend that happens to own a VW repair shop, he's not making a dime from this as I'll be doing it myself. He said he uses those pads on both his jettas. He wouldn't try and get me to buy something to make money off me, especially considering I'm not buying through him. I asked him what I could buy from O'reilly's because I get the employee discount there.

I'd ideally like to pay no more than $500 for fronts and rears. I was just needing some good brands to be tossed out there because I've never bought brakes before.

[billymade]

MJM has some nice packages; I think the classic German brands like Meyle, Zimmerman, Ate, (brands used by VW) are safe bets, check out some options:

MJM Autohaus

[SMG]

Read my post again if you missed my recommendation.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by Oh Randi

So, the time has come for me to replace my brakes. My mechanic informed me, while looking for that pesky boost leak, that my brakes are terrifying and need to be done ASAP. apparently the pads are almost down to metal and soon ill be looking at rebuilt calipers and my rotors are worn out pretty bad too. I've owned the car for 4 almost 5 years and I think the brakes are the only thing I've never messed with. That said, I know nothing about them. He recommended Wagner thermoquiet pads I believe, saying they're quiet and light on the brake dust (which is important to me!)

This is going to sound silly, but I want cool looking rotors. I like the vented look. Anyone have any suggestions for any brand? I'd like something that lasts and looks nice without being TOO crazy expensive.

Also, I know VW recommends changing the brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage, I know it's been at least 4, and knowing how horribly the PO took care of the car, I'm willing to bet its never been done. Would it be a good idea to do this at the same time?

I would stay away from Slotted and Drilled Rotors. Cheap ones can develope microfractures over time and crack. The good ones are expensive and on a beetle really not necessary. If you want some looks in that department I would paint the calipers. That always makes them stand out and brings attention to the wheels. That said. EBC does make some decent slotted rotors that are perfectly safe and look GREAT. As SMG already mentioned with any slotted or drilled rotors comes more brake dust. I did all my brakes in April of 2011 and used EBC vented but solid disks and EBC Ultimax Brake pads. All 4 Rotors and Pads only cost me around 180 Dollars. I did change out the fluid and painted my calipers at the same time and I can say that so far I am very impressed with the brake performance and low dust of the EBC pads and rotors.
If you want a to spend a bit more you can get the EBC slotted Rotors and the EBC Green Stuff or even Red Stuff pads.

You can't go wrong with EBC brakes.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...html?loc=Front

Complete set of EBC Ulitmax Black Dash Rotors plus EBC Redstuff Ceramic Brake Pads : $395.07 That would be a GREAT package. For EBC Solid Rotors and EBC Ulitmax Pads it's less than half and they are still GREAT brakes!

[LiftedBeetle]

Originally Posted by Oh Randi

My mechanic informed me, while looking for that pesky boost leak, that my brakes are terrifying and need to be done ASAP. apparently the pads are almost down to metal and soon ill be looking at rebuilt calipers and my rotors are worn out pretty bad too.

Why would you need new calipers just because the pads are low? Did the pistons get pushed completely out of the calipers? I doubt it, as that would be pretty noticeable. (loss of fluid and no firmness to the brake pedal)

[Oh Randi]

Originally Posted by LiftedBeetle

Why would you need new calipers just because the pads are low? Did the pistons get pushed completely out of the calipers? I doubt it, as that would be pretty noticeable. (loss of fluid and no firmness to the brake pedal)

I don't need new or rebuilt calipers YET, he was just letting me know he didn't want me to drive on those almost non-existent pads, or else that could happen. I've been needing to do my brake for at least 6 months now. It doesn't seem like it wants to stop very easily when I have to stop quickly. I'm easy on the brakes so never noticed they started sucking until I had to stop very quickly to avoid a dog.

Anyone else think EBC makes decent rotors? I looked at them, given the price I thought they'd be better than some of the really cheap ones.

[IndyTom]

EBC Rotors are some of the most High Grade Rotors made, period.
They aren't made in China or who knows where like some of the other Rotors out there. They are made in the UK under the highest quality standards. You can pay a higher price for other brakes but you won't find better brakes made out of the highest quality materials at any price than EBC.
EBC Brakes Corporate Video - YouTube

If you want to spend more money than get the EBC Sport Rotors. They are highly rated and are dimpled and slotted. Very nice rotors! Couple them with the EBC Red Stuff Ceramic Pads and you will have an Excellent combination. Front and Rear EBC Sport Rotors along with EBC Red Stuff pads will cost you around 500 or a little more. So I guess that would still be in your budget. Personally, I think it is overkill for a Beetle unless you just like to spend the extra money on the way the rotors look. For around 180 bucks you can have quality Rotors and pads that will last you just as long and stop the car just as quick with a lot less Brake dust than any slotted or drilled rotor set up. http://ebcrotors.com/p-223-ebc-sport-rotors.aspx

Whatever brakes you decide to go with promise me you won't go with some cheap Chinese type or rotors. They may look nice in the beginning and may even work well for a time being but then you will hear more squeeking and they will rust and they will crack and that could be very dangerous! Stay with Quality rotors like EBC or Brembo or Centrix.

[Oh Randi]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

EBC Rotors are some of the most High Grade Rotors made, period.
They aren't made in China or who knows where like some of the other Rotors out there. They are made in the UK under the highest quality standards. You can pay a higher price for other brakes but you won't find better brakes made out of the highest quality materials at any price than EBC.
EBC Brakes Corporate Video - YouTube

If you want to spend more money than get the EBC Sport Rotors. They are highly rated and are dimpled and slotted. Very nice rotors! Couple them with the EBC Red Stuff Ceramic Pads and you will have an Excellent combination. Front and Rear EBC Sport Rotors along with EBC Red Stuff pads will cost you around 500 or a little more. So I guess that would still be in your budget. Personally, I think it is overkill for a Beetle unless you just like to spend the extra money on the way the rotors look. For around 180 bucks you can have quality Rotors and pads that will last you just as long and stop the car just as quick with a lot less Brake dust than any slotted or drilled rotor set up. EBC Sport Rotors | EBC Dempled and Slotted Sport Brake Rotors

Whatever brakes you decide to go with promise me you won't go with some cheap Chinese type or rotors. They may look nice in the beginning and may even work well for a time being but then you will hear more squeeking and they will rust and they will crack and that could be very dangerous! Stay with Quality rotors like EBC or Brembo or Centrix.

I was actually looking at this combination:
EBC Redstuff Pads

and either these rotors


or these.


Can you tell me which are better?

It appears I can get them both special ordered from O'reilly's which is great. Much cheaper for me!

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by Oh Randi

I was actually looking at this combination:
EBC Redstuff Pads

and either these rotors


or these.


Can you tell me which are better?

It appears I can get them both special ordered from O'reilly's which is great. Much cheaper for me!

You can't go wrong with either one. I would go with the first set (Sport Rotors). I think you will like them better since they do have dimples and slots and they are very High Quality.
They are a little more expensive than the Ultimax Black Dash Rotors but the Sport Rotors will look better on your Beetle and they are Great Rotors especially with the Red Stuff Pads. The Ceramic Pads should minimize brake dust but sometimes they can squeak a bit but if you break them in properly you should be fine. Go for it!

[Oh Randi]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

You can't go wrong with either one. I would go with the first set (Sport Rotors). I think you will like them better since they do have dimples and slots and they are very High Quality.
They are a little more expensive than the Ultimax Black Dash Rotors but the Sport Rotors will look better on your Beetle and they are Great Rotors especially with the Red Stuff Pads. The Ceramic Pads should minimize brake dust but sometimes they can squeak a bit but if you break them in properly you should be fine. Go for it!

I'm back! Ordering the 3GD sport rotors and redstuff pads tomorrow when I get paid. $385 for everything isn't too bad!

Now, I've never broken in new brakes before.. does this sound right?
ECS tuning brake bedding procedure

any tips?

[IndyTom]

Good Choice on the combo! As far as breaking in new brake pads. EBC brake pads have a special coating that makes them easy to break in. Just use common sense and don't take the car on any Rally Races for the first 500 miles and you should be fine.

[Oh Randi]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

Good Choice on the combo! As far as breaking in new brake pads. EBC brake pads have a special coating that makes them easy to break in. Just use common sense and don't take the car on any Rally Races for the first 500 miles and you should be fine.

Cool beans. I tend to overanalyze things and I don't want to mess anything up, especially something costing almost $400 lol. I'm always extremely easy on my brakes anyway, so I guess I shouldn't have much to worry about.

[mullardel34]

The ECS brake bedding-in procedure looks to be spot-on. Just keep in mind that during the brake bedding-in process, that you're objective is to very evenly transfer brake-pad friction material to the rotors in order to permit the brake-pads to properly grip the brake rotors. So don't come to a complete stop while applying the brakes when you've got the brakes up to temperature. Otherwise, you could end-up transferring a "ridge" of friction material onto the brake rotors that will cause a rythmic pulse/bump while braking (and it's damned-near impossible to "smooth things out" without machining or replacing the rotors).

So, when doing the series of 60mph-to-10mph controlled stops, remember to release the brakes before you come to a complete stop and avoid coming to a complete stop with the brakes appled until the brakes have cooled-down. You're going to really smell the brakes duing the brake bedding-in process, so don't be alarmed.

Good luck!

[Oh Randi]

Originally Posted by mullardel34

The ECS brake bedding-in procedure looks to be spot-on. Just keep in mind that during the brake bedding-in process, that you're objective is to very evenly transfer brake-pad friction material to the rotors in order to permit the brake-pads to properly grip the brake rotors. So don't come to a complete stop while applying the brakes when you've got the brakes up to temperature. Otherwise, you could end-up transferring a "ridge" of friction material onto the brake rotors that will cause a rythmic pulse/bump while braking (and it's damned-near impossible to "smooth things out" without machining or replacing the rotors).

So, when doing the series of 60mph-to-10mph controlled stops, remember to release the brakes before you come to a complete stop and avoid coming to a complete stop with the brakes appled until the brakes have cooled-down. You're going to really smell the brakes duing the brake bedding-in process, so don't be alarmed.

Good luck!

wait, so, I should brake until going maybe 5 or 10 mph, coast to almost a complete stop to allow brakes to cool then apply brakes if I need to? like if I'm rolling forward or backward?

thanks for mentioning I'll smell the brakes.. I didn't know that and would probably panic thinking I did something wrong lol

[janitz]

This is something I believe I'd like to do as well coming up this summer.

In addition to the pads and rotors, will we need to purchase any other parts that are supposed to be replaced when doing this kind of work?