Brake Pads and Rotors

After putting a nice Tire & Wheel Package on my son's car, we noticed that we could see a lot more of the brake caliper than we could with the old wheels. We had previously upgraded the brake system with good looking and great functioning Ate PremiumOne Slotted Rotors and Goodridge Stainless Steel brake hose, but the brake calipers looked dull, faded and rusty.

Rather than buy new calipers, we decided to clean and coat the existing parts with the G-2 Brake Caliper PaintSystem. The PaintSystem Sets are available in nine high-gloss, wear-resistant colors. Available colors include: red, yellow, blue, silver, gold, black, purple, green, white, pink and orange.

We decided to paint the brake caliper mounts silver and the calipers red, so we had to purchase two kits. The G-2 PaintSystem Set provides sufficient material to paint four brake calipers, or two brake calipers and two brake drums. However, vehicles with large brake calipers on the front axle and large brake drums on the rear axle may require two complete PaintSystem Sets to assure adequate coverage. We had plenty of paint for two coat coverage and even had half a can of each color left over when we were finished.

G-2 Brake Caliper PaintSystem's two-part paint system does not require caliper removal, however because we decided to use two different colors we removed and cleaned the caliper mounts. We then masked the brake hose and bleeder screw and supported the caliper at each corner with coat hangers.

G-2 Brake Caliper PaintSystem has a shelf life of six months and must be used between 56-70°F (13-21°C) ambient temperatures. Higher temperatures will cause paint to harden faster than normal. Unfortunately the day we had to complete this job was much warmer, so we had to work fast. We did our best to shade the area we were working in but, once the paint and reactor are mixed, there are only 4-6 hours working time. After that, paint left in the can will harden and will not be useable. I still had plenty of time to apply two coats of paint on both the calipers and the mounts. Give yourself at least two hours curing time before reinstalling wheels and don't use the vehicle for 24 hours to allow the paint to fully harden. Plan application accordingly.

The G-2 Brake Caliper PaintSystem Set consists of:

• Detailed Instructions
• Brake Cleaner Spray
• Brake Caliper Paint
• PaintSystem Reactor
• 1 stir stick
• 1 application brush

Since our calipers were not new and accumulated rust over the years from exposure to Northern Indiana's weather, I spent a little extra time with a wire brush, a little sand paper and a Scotch-Brite pad on the exposed metal surfaces initially. I then used the brake cleaner spray provided to degrease the surfaces to be painted and let them dry thoroughly prior to paint application.

As you can see from the photos of our final product, this kit will give your stock brake calipers the look of expensive, high performance calipers. The final coating will even help protect vital brake components from potentially harmful oils, chemicals and rust. When you are all done you will have:

• High-gloss finish
• Fade resistant colors
• Seals and protects exposed metal
• Heat-resistant up to 950º F
• Oil and chemical resistant coating

If you do it right, you can be seeing red too.

Selecting the best brake rotors for your vehicle can be more difficult than you think. This is especially true if you have a specialty application for track use, heavy towing or face challenging road conditions such as steep hills.

Essentially, your brakes transfer motion into heat, sound and sometimes light. This energy transfer allows the car to slow down as the motion energy is converted. The ultimate goal in braking is to convert motion energy as efficiently as possible, that creates the least amount of heat. The reason you need to reduce heat is to reduce brake fade and increase the life of your brake components.

Listed below are different types of rotors that are available for your application:

Solid/Vented - This is the most common O.E. application and is used on both front and rear. Venting rotors help reduce heat but are not efficient enough for demanding applications.
Slotted/Vented - Best combination of efficiency and value, slotted/vented rotors are perfect for sports coupes and sedans. These rotors are also great for truck and SUV applications where demands on the brakes are high for towing or mountain driving. The slotting allows for very good heat dissipation to reduce fade and increase rotor/pad life.
Cross-Drilled/Vented - Similar performance to the slotted/vented, however these rotors are not recommended for demanding applications due to the chance of cracking between drilled holes. Cross-drilled rotors look and perform great, but are less durable than slotted. 
Cryo-Treated - Cryo-treating is a process of increasing the durability of the rotor metal through a controlled heating/cooling process that can be applied to any of the above rotor styles.

Shop by vehicle to find the brake components that work best for your vehicle.

As soon as you see ATE PremiumOne® Rotors, you know they’re different. A distinctive set of elliptical grooves have been machined into the rotor face. A satin silver coating covers the entire rotor.

The patented RotorLife® Elliptical Groove Wear Indicator and MetaCote® protective coating deliver performance and convenience unequalled in other rotor lines.

The unique pattern you see on the face of the ATE PremiumOne Rotor is the RotorLife Elliptical Groove Wear Indicator. It’s a groove cut into the rotor surface at complementary angles to allow heat and gases to escape more easily from under the brake pad when it’s in contact with the rotor. Moving the gases out quickly reduces brake fade and extends pad life.

As an added feature, the RotorLife Groove shows you when it’s time to replace the rotor. When the groove’s worn away, it’s time for new rotors – simple as that.

Most rotors look good when they are first installed. But, after only a few trips their looks start to fade. They develop rust around the edges of the rotor face –- and sometimes over the whole rotor face -– making your car’s appearance less than it could be.

MetaCote protective coating provides an attractive, durable surface that helps prevent rust and corrosion and sheds water and dirt, to maintain a clean appearance. MetaCote protects against road salt, brake fluid and other corrosives, and it looks great behind alloy wheels. MetaCote also eliminates the need to use removeable coatings that need to be cleaned off prior to use, saving installation time.

"These brake rotors are great. Way better than OEM rotors. Car stops on a dime now even at highway speeds. I am very impressed with the product and would buy these rotors for every car I buy and the price is not that expensive for a slotted rotor." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review

ATE PremiumOne Rotors all feature an application-specific design. The brake parts that ATE make for your vehicle have been engineered to work with your vehicle’s brake system, vehicle weight and handling characteristics.

Unlike other rotors that take a one-size-fits-all approach, ATE PremiumOne Disc Brake Rotors are based on the Original Equipment design and engineered to tighter tolerances.

Grinding, squealing, long stopping distances? It could be time for new brake pads. Tire Rack can help with a wide array of pads and rotors for most vehicles.

Ceramics give the lowest noise and dust, but won't increase stopping power. The Akebono Pro Act Ceramic Pads are a great option in the ceramic line-up.  Available for many applications and attractively priced.

Semi-metallics will shorten the stopping distances and increase the initial bite. There are varying degrees of stopping power available. You can get a nice increase in capability without a dramatic change in noise or dust with the Hawk HPS. If you really want to step up the power with no regard for dust levels, the HPS from Hawk really delivers the goods. They are close to a track pad, but don't need the warm up of a true track pad, so you can use them on the street.

Tire Rack also carries track applications that you can't reasonably use on the street, but will let you late-brake into the corners and really shed off the speed while at the track.

View available brake pad options for your vehicle.

Brembo Big Brake Kits upgrade the look and performance of your vehicle's braking system. The brake systems combine fixed 4-piston aluminum calipers and high performance brake pads, with 1- and 2- piece vented discs and Goodridge® steel braided brake lines. These race inspired Brembo Big Brake kits are designed to offer superior stopping power for drivers that are serious about getting their sports cars, sedans, sporty coupes, light trucks and SUVs to slow down in a hurry.

In most cases,the Brembo Big Brake Kit's massive aluminum calipers and large diameter brake discs require an aftermarket wheel with the necessary brake clearance. Take a look at the chart below to see the full line of Brembo Grand Turismo Big Brake kits.

Contact one of our sales specialists to ensure product compatibility as they have developed a list of appropriate wheel options per vehicle based on exact brake kit options.

Brembo Gran Turismo Brake Systems
Caliper Styles	Style 1	Style 2	Style 3	Style 4
	4-Piston Black	4-Piston Black	4-Piston Red	4-Piston Red
Rotor Styles	Style A	Style B	Style C	Style D
	1-Piece Drilled Vented	2-Piece Drilled Vented	2-Piece Drilled Vented	2-Piece Slotted Vented

Style 1A	Style 2B	Style 3C	Style 4D

Shop by vehicle to see which braking options work best for your vehicle.

Additional Information:

• Producing Brembo Brake Components and Systems
• Brembo Product Description

The Disc Brakes Australia (DBA) Street 4X4 Survival Series front and rear rotors feature DBA's innovative Kangaroo Paw ventilation design for trucks and SUVs. The Kangaroo Paw designs run cooler, are stronger and outperform traditional straight-vane disc rotors.

Directional slot design Gun-metal grey paint adds better corrosion protection on non-friction surfaces Reduces glazing of brake pad, while maintaining a clean and balanced pad surface

Shop by vehicle to see which brake options are best for your vehicle.

Many Porsche owners are looking for better lap times at the track and more aggressive brake performance on the street from their 911.

If you have already tried changing your brake pads and still lack the performance you are looking for, it may be time to upgrade to a larger caliper and rotor.

Brembo has built a reputation of producing quality products for drivers looking for the ultimate in braking performance. The Brembo Gran Turismo Systems provide excellent stopping power in everyday traffic, as well as high performance during street and track driving.

For more information, contact one of Tire Rack's sales specialists.

Here are a few steps to help prevent squeaking in your brakes:

1. Grease the slide pins and use appropriate lubricants on all brake components.

2. Do your brake pads have noise abatement? Good brake pads have pre-installed shims to defend against vibration in the pad. Tapered leading and trailing edges on the surface of the pad also prevent chattering against the rotor.

3. There is a sequence that must be completed after installing new brake pads that beds/brandishes the pad to the rotor properly. It involves laying down a thin layer of brake pad material into the rotor to help with proper adhesion. It is important to remember that you must replace or turn your rotors after replacing brake pads to help ensure there is no more squeaking.

4. Reinstall the spring clips, as they are designed to prevent resonance and vibration. Without the spring clips you may experience excessive vibration that leads to brake noise. 

To see our complete selection of brake pads, shop by vehicle. Product information includes stopping power, noise and dust ratings.

As spring nears, many drivers wonder if they should replace their rotors, or simply turn them? To address this question, there are a few basics to consider.

Technically speaking your brakes are an energy transfer device. They take the force of your vehicle and absorb it into the braking system, causing heat from the friction.

The bigger the "heat sync" or rotor, the better the chance of dispersing that energy and recovering in time to stop. The relationship between the pad and rotor is key in the strength and ability to dispense the heat for your brakes.  

Will your car be affected if you choose to turn your rotors instead of replacing them? The answer depends on the manner in which you drive your vehicle. If you drive in a pedestrian manner and never push the limits of your car, turning your rotors would be allowed. If you push your vehicle's limits in a sporty manner, you may find yourself in a situation where your braking power is diminished and turning your rotors is not an option. However, rotors are inexpensive and can be changed for less than the cost of labor for turning.  

If you decide to replace your rotors, check out options by vehicle here.

Now is a good time to have your pads and rotors inspected. Tire Rack carries a large assortment of pads and rotors for almost every vehicle on the market. 

If you are looking for Original Equipment brake products consider:






If you want to improve your braking performance beyond original stock levels take a look at:








View our website for the brake equipment that best fits your vehicle.

Hawk Performance brake pads are excellent replacement pads for light duty trucks and SUVs. Hawk Performance LTS Brake Pads have a Ferro-Carbon Compound that was developed utilizing polymer research and carbon fiber processing. Take a look at some of the key features and benefits of the Hawk Performance LTS Brake Pad.

• Smooth engagement
• Extremely fade resistant
• Low noise
• Low dust
• Extended pad life
• Increased rotor life   

When it's time to replace your brake pads, Hawk Performance is the best option.

Always try the easiest thing first!

You are going to need a few tools:

• Torque Wrench
• Floor Jack
• Jack Stands

A wire brush and cordless drill help, along with some anti-seize lube.

1. Jack up the car and put jack stands under frame or proper location.
2. Clean the back of your wheel pad where it contacts the hub (wire attachment for cordless drill easiest!).
3. Clean the hub/rotor surface (cordless drill works here, too!).
4. Put a small dab of lube on the face of the wheel pad.
5. Torque the lugs with the car in the air (not on the ground).  Torque in a star pattern and try a 3-step process for best ride.

Many customers have complained of pedal pulse on brakes. Complaints of a slight shimmy in the steering wheel come up occasionally. Stories of a slight vibration in the car are not uncommon. All of these things can be caused by improperly torqued lugs on your vehicle! Don't be too fast to blame the Centric brake rotors, the Kumho tires or the Road Force balancer used at the shop. It could have easily been a careless shop tech or even yourself that improperly put the wheels back on the vehicle.

Meet your stopping needs with brakes and brake rotors available for your Acura. Don't worry about picking the wrong products. We check every order before we ship it out and offer lots of user reviews on the brake system products we sell. And our search results by vehicle will only generate a list of products that are specifically a fit for your vehicle.

Use our brake performance rating system too, to help you pick brakes that meet your needs. Ratings are provided in three categories: stopping power, low dust and noise. The more red dots you see the better stopping power, lower noise level and lower dust. Original Equipment (O.E.) replacement brake pads all the way up to all-out track pads are available.

Some of the most popular Acura brake pads available are:

• Akebono ProACT Ceramic Pads: Better stopping power with much lower noise and much lower dust ratings than O.E. brake pads. Suggesedt for street use.
• Hawk HPS Street Brake Pads: Much better Stopping power with lower noise and more dust. Suggested for performance street use.
• Hawk Performance Ceramic Brake Pads: Better stopping power with lower noise and lower dust ratings. Suggested for street use.

Look through the maintenance schedule in the average owner’s manual and you probably won’t find a specific change interval for brake fluid. But, just because no specific time or mileage recommendations for ­replacing brake fluid exist, doesn’t mean you should ignore it, especially if you are using your car for competition purposes.

 

As a rule of thumb, the minimum preventative maintenance interval for brake fluid should be at least every two years, more frequently, if the vehicle is used in a high performance, or heavy duty use environment. Brake fluid should always be changed when the brakes pads or shoes are replaced or when replacing a caliper, wheel cylinder, brake line, hose or master cylinder. Bleeding and flushing brake fluid is the best way to minimize the danger of fluid boil and internal corrosion in the brake system.

DOT3 and DOT4 brake fluid contains glycol, as well as various corrosion inhibitors and seal conditioners. When brake fluid is manufactured, it contains no moisture. But the properties of brake fluid make it hygroscopic in nature, meaning it attracts water.

Moisture contamination causes several things to happen. When the fluid absorbs water, it lowers the fluid’s boiling temperature. DOT3 brake fluid, which is most commonly used in domestic cars and light trucks, has a minimum dry boiling point of 401ºF. A 3% level of water contamination will lower the boiling point 25% or 100ºF!

 

After just one year of service, DOT3 fluid may contain as much as 2% water. After 18 months, the level of contamination can be as high as 3%. And after several years of service, it’s not unusual to find brake fluid that has soaked up as much as 7-8% water. The problem is even more acute in older vehicles due to internal seal wear and porosity in the brake hoses. Replacing your hoses with a Goodridge G-Stop Brakeline Kit with stainless steel brake lines goes a long way toward reducing this possibility.

Under normal driving conditions, neglected brake fluid may not pose a serious safety concern. The calipers on most cars and trucks won’t get hot enough in everyday driving to make the fluid boil. But under severe conditions, such as: driving down a mountain, towing a heavy trailer or the occasional track day, the brakes may get hot enough to make the fluid boil. Braking generates a lot of heat. A quick stop from 40 or 50 mph can raise the temperature of the front rotors a couple hundred degrees. Several hard, quick stops in rapid succession or riding the brakes while driving, can increase rotor temperatures to 600°F or higher. Since vapor is compressable but liquid is not, once brake fluid turns to vapor, the bubbles cause an increase in the distance the pedal must travel to apply the brakes. This is called “pedal fade” and it may result in brake failure.

You really can’t tell how contaminated brake fluid is just by looking at it. New fluid may be clear to amber-colored. The fluid will typically become darker as it ages, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s contaminated. If you see rust or sediment in the fluid, the fluid is long overdue for a change. High brake temperatures accelerate the rate at which the corrosion inhibitors in brake fluid break down. As the fluid ages, oxidation eats away at metal surfaces, creating dissolved acids and sludge that are carried with the fluid. These contaminants increase seal, piston and bore wear in the calipers, wheel cylinders and master cylinder. They can also damage ABS solenoid valves and cause them to jam and stick.

ATE Type 200 Amber Brake Fluid

ATE Super Blue Racing Brake Flui

For performance or heavy duty applications I would recommend ATE Type 200 Amber Brake Fluid or ATE Super Blue Racing Brake Fluid. Both are designed to excel within the extreme demands made on a heavy duty or race vehicle and exceed all DOT4 standards. They are compatible with and will mix well with most DOT3, DOT4 or DOT5.1 fluids. Their formulations offer higher boiling points (wet or dry) and minimal drop in boiling point with age, resulting in a longer lasting fluid. By alternating the use of blue and amber colored fluids, evidence of a more complete system flush can be accomplished. When adding fluid to the system, use the type of brake fluid specified by the vehicle manufacturer (DOT3 or DOT4). Brake fluid specifications can be found in the vehicle's owner’s manual, maintenance guide, or on the master cylinder reservoir or filler cap.

 

 

 

It's not a law, but if you ask me it should be, and for good reason. Unevenly torqued wheels can cause uneven brake pad deposits, irregular brake and rotor wear and eventually can contribute to the dreaded virbation during braking. If the wheel isnt secured properly it can immediatly cause a vibration during normal driving conditions that can be misdiagnosed as a tire issue.

If you've ever had to strenuously push a car down a street then you can appreciate the forces involved when your car can accelerate to 60 mph in a few seconds. Think of all the shearing forces involed on the wheels when the motor is basically trying to twist them off the car. It's thanks to your lug bolts, or studs/nuts that they don't twist off, and the force is transfered to your tires and eventually the ground as you rocket off the line. The same, if not more, can be said for braking and the massive forces put on the lugs.

We need to make sure the lugs are in the best condition to secure the wheels to the vehicle. First things first, make sure you have the correct lugs for the wheel and vehicle. When securing the lugs to the vehicle, make sure the studs are not loose and the threads are burr-free. If necessary, run a die or a brush along them to clean the threads up. Most wheel torque values are specified dry, so keep that anti-seize off the theads.

If you don't have one, an Adjustable Torque Wrench (shown at left) is an important tool for any car nut. Make sure you have the proper torque value for the vehicle that is specified in the manual.

But even if everything was properly done up to this point, it could be all for naught. The lugs must be torqued evenly. Torque in a star pattern so no adjacent lugs are tighened sequentually. Some people may snug all the lugs in any pattern and then torque in the star pattern. This may still yield a good torquing but consistency reinforces behavior -- always snug in the star pattern as well.



Paying attention to your wheel mounting surfaces, hardware, and then tightenting the lugs in the star patterns shown above means each lug will get about the same number of rotations ensuring the best chance for a properly mounted wheel.

Like many other drivers, are you looking for long lasting, warp-resistant brake rotors? Look no further than Power Alloy Cryo-Treated Rotors by Power Slot!

Whether you drive a BMW, Audi, Porsche or even a sport truck or performance SUV, you can experience the benefits of cryo-treated rotors. 

What is cryogenic treatment? 

Deep cryogenic treatment is a process that permanently improves the performance and service life of metals from brake rotors. Power Slot uses a proprietary computer-controlled process where the metal is cooled gradually to -300°F and then slowly returned to room temperature and heat-cycled as the final step.

What are the advantages of cryogenic treatment?

Even though you cannot see the difference, rotors treated cryogenically show large improvements in longevity. Cryogenic processing makes rotors more wear-resistant and durable while increasing protection against warping.

• Rotors resist cracking, warping and fading.
• Rotors last 2-3 times longer. Fewer pads and rotors are needed.
• Rotors stop consistently and predictably.

Are they available for your application? Find out!

Think your current ride is looking a little bland?

Need a little extra kick to make yourself stand out?

Or maybe you just want to keep your wheels cleaner?

There are many solutions to what ails your vehicle. And some of these solutions are simple fixes that will not only improve the looks, but also its performance.

Looking bland?

Start simple with some products from Griot's Garage. A simple wash can make a car look temporarily clean, but try using Griot's Paint Cleaning Clay along with their Speed Shine products to pull out the contaminants and impurities in your paint. You will be amazed at the great results you see! The paint will look and feel much smoother It will also be itching for a new coat of wax. Griot's has a great selection of different wax applications to choose from and also offers a Random Orbital Polisher to help you get professional results without damaging your paint surface.

Need a kick?

Check out our Upgrade Garage to look for great deals on Tire & Wheel Packages. Going with a new set of wheels in a stock size is a nice way to add some flair to your car without changing the ride. Adding new tires completes the process and with Tire Rack, you can be confident that it will be a perfect fit!

Already have a new set of wheels? Try lowing the car with a set of Eibach lowering springs. The lowered stance will give the car an aggressive look and help fill in that space gap between the tire and the car.

Going for a cleaner look?

Besides using the Griot's products, you can go for a brake package upgrade. Installing new, rust-resistant rotors can give the car a fresh, clean look that you will admire every time you look at your car. Add a set of new, low-dust brake pads and use some G2 Caliper Paint to finish off the process. Now your vehicle stops better than before, and you have a fresh look!

Try one of these solutions and enjoy the new sensation of falling in love with your ride all over again!

The process of cryogenically treating brake rotors can drastically improve the way a brake system performs. Cryogenically treated metal is cooled well below a zero-degree temperature, slowly returned to room temperature, and treated with heat to complete the process. Although you can't see the results, the metal is significantly altered and is able to stand up to abrasive wear. It's also much more durable. That means cryogenically treated brake rotors are denser and extremely smooth, both of which reduce wear and tear. And we all know how much our brake systems have to deal with.

At Tire Rack, the cryogenically treated rotors in our inventory come from Cryo-Stop. In addition to the cryogenic treatment, the Cryo-Stop rotors feature the company's Electrocoating finish to further protect the rotors against rust and corrosion.

"I bought a four-pack of Cryo-Stop rotors and high-grade ceramic pads. My OEM brakes were shuddering and squealing under moderate and light braking, respectively. The shudder went away when I swapped the fronts, and the squeal disappeared after changing the rear. Since then, it's been a smooth, silent and safe ride. Looks great, too. The black paint on the Cryo-Stop rotors is a nice touch, and I haven't seen any rust anywhere yet." — Tire Rack Consumer Review, Honda Accord, IL

Shop by vehicle to see if Cryo-Stop rotors are right for you.

All aftermarket brake products are not suitable for the high speeds associated with track use. For example, stay clear of drilled or dimpled rotors. They may look high-performance and they can resist some of the gasses that tend to build up between the brake pad and the rotor, but they can't handle the temperatures that result from track speeds and repetitive stops. If you do choose to use these types of rotors on your race vehicle, which we do not recommend, we suggest you carefully inspect your brake components before each and every use—and definitely stop driving on them if you see any sign of deterioration.

It is probably best to just stay away from racing with drilled and dimpled brake rotors since improper use will negate their warranty. And you never know if or when you'll need to call upon that warranty for help. Instead, consider the following:



Centric Premium Rotors







Brembo Sport Slotted Rotors








DBA 4000 Series Rotors







DBA 5000 Series Rotors




This, of course, is not the complete list of race capable rotors. Click here for a complete list of rotors and then filter your search to view track-appropriate options.