Brakes, Ceramic, Metallic or Semi-Metallic?

[toicy4ya]

Sup Guys,

I purchased a new set of crossed drilled rotors and am a little unsure as to which type of brake finish to get Ceramic, Metallic or semi metallic? Which material would be most effective with this type of rotor? Any feedback would be greatly appreciate.

Thanks

 

[snowborder714]

You will also need to inform us as to the type of driving you intend to do. Are you going to be hard on it (autox) or just use it as a daily driver or around town? This will be able to help us help you.

You can also look at some of the threads here:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2887672

 

[1992awdlaser]

Ceramic are the quietest and last the longest and usually stop shorter.

 

[DSMULATOR]

^^^^^^------they will also cause the least amount of brake dust on your rotors. Some mettalics are really hard and can actually prematurely wear your rotors down, though with the slots shaving the brake pads down, I don't think you'll have much of this problem.

 

[1992awdlaser]

^^^ I forgot to mention that.

 

[Cs4g63]

You can use any type of brake pad you want with cross drilled rotors. Ceramics are great for low brake dust but they will over heat easier than semi metallics.

 

[Defiant]

"Effective" is conditional. Traditional pads were most effective for one or two sudden, hard stops, such as in traffic or in commuting. Ceramics have largely take their place, and are better for more stops- old pads used to just about fade to nothing if you really used them hard three or four times.
Metallics are best for very long downhills, auto-x, circuit racing and continual use at high pressures and high heat dissipation, but they can be scary as crap if the guy in front of you at third and elm suddenly decides he has to stop as soon as the light turns yellow just as you're sure he's committed to making the intersection. They want a bit of warm-up, although again, today's mixes aren't like the metallics of ten years ago.
Semi-mets still don't start up as quickly as ceramics, but they will continue to stop better and for longer.
I'd not heard that slots are any detriment to brake pad life, nor that they'd "shave" your pads. Nor do I believe it. They're not large enough to allow that much pad to deform into them to allow shaving to occur.

 

[DSMULATOR]

I was told that slotted rotors, particularly for use in the rally world, get a sharp edge and clean off the top layer of the brake pad so that you always have good contact, whether its dirt or just a glazed pad surface. Everyone you talk to will tell you something different about slotted rotors, such as which direction they are supposed to point relative to wheel rotation.

 

[toicy4ya]

Thanks for the feedback guys. It will be for casual driving.

One last question, is it necessary to bleed the brakes after I install the new rotors and brake pads?

If so is it hard? I've never done it before.

Thanks

 

[VanIsleDSM]

not necessary no, but definitly a good idea, especially if it's never been done before... brake fluid absorbs moister over time which can start to corrode your brake system, and it also gives it more of a spongy feel.

 

[1992awdlaser]

You don't have to bleed them as mentioned above but I would. It is not hard at all. You will need an extra person to help do it. go in this order. Right rear, Left rear, Right front, then Left front. [Correction: RR, LF, LR, RF, DSM brakes are diagonally-split.] You want to start as far away from the master cylinder as possible then work your way towards it. First make sure the brake fluid is full and make sure the cap is on. Have your friend sit in the car with it off. Have him/her pushh the brake pedal about three times then hold it down. Just push it as hard as you would if you were driving. Then open the bleeder screw on the caliper. Worn him before you open it that the pedal will go down and not to let go until you say so. Now after he says the pedal is to the floor close the bleeder. Then tell him to let go. Due this until there is only fluid coming out or about three times if there is only fluid to begin with. Work your way around in the order I stated. After each wheel recheck the brake fluid to make sure it is full or if you run out of fluid you will have to start over again.

 

[toicy4ya]

Thank for your feedback guys, you all have been a great help.

I finally installed the crossed drilled rotors and opted for monroe ceramic pads. I took the time to paint the calipers and after getting it done I have to say it looks pretty damn good. However I do have one problem, the brakes on the driver side squeek when im coming to a slow stop. I made sure to add grease between the shims and the brake pad and tighten all the bolts pretty tight, I dont know what it could be, Any ideas?

Thanks again.

 

[MrBoxx]

Did you grease the slide pins/bolts and anywhere the backing plate of the pad brushes or contacts the caliper body?