Power stop rotors and pads

[corvette744]

Z36 TRUCK & TOW rotors and pads is what i bought under the impression it would improve braking performance.Installed all 4 wheels and broke in according to their directions and what a joke.Lets just say until the brakes get warm they are very dangerous-have no cold bite at all and want them off immediately.After about the 3rd or 4th stop then they feel like my old stock pads and rotors def not worth the investment i made to upgrade.Called manufacturer and they are sending new rotors and semi mettallic pads out-funny how they recommend those old obsolete pads that are not even listed on their website over their z36 heavy duty pads that i put on.I think i will try out the semi on the old rotors and then maybe ebc pads the yellow ones alot better reviews what im seeing.

 

[08HoeCD]

Sorry to hear it.

By the way, the huge & bold font type makes it seem like you are yelling.
Maybe you are.

 

[iamdub]

Did you clean the rotors with a brake parts cleaner before installing them? Your results sound very typical of rotors that were installed without cleaning the manufacturing and/or anti-rust oils off of them before using.

 

[corvette744]

Did you clean the rotors with a brake parts cleaner before installing them? Your results sound very typical of rotors that were installed without cleaning the manufacturing and/or anti-rust oils off of them before using.

Yes they were cleaned perfectly no oil was on them-they are just zinc plated.Not happy glad its not my daily driver with a family in it.Im betting its the pads-going to pad slap- rotors only have 80 miles maybe on them.I want it to throw me threw the front windshield when i hit the brakes-not mushy pedal feel.

 

[ScottyBoy]

I have been in the same boat as you. The Powerstop pads flat out suck. I had the combo and I hated it. ZERO improvement over stock, plus they make more dust than a MF'er. I ended up getting Wagner Thermoquiet Ceramic pads as several people highly recommended them across several different forums I'm on. I absolutely love the combo of Wagner pads and the Powerstop rotors. Every time I put new brakes on, that's what I buy now. I just installed yet another set this Spring not because they wore out but because I upgraded to the larger 07+ front brakes. This is now my third set in 11 years. I probably could have gotten another few years out of that second set though, lol. I did a pad slap on the rear, I probably should have bought new rotors for the rear, but with all the money I spent on the new Powerstop black zinc plated rotors, the Powerstop red powder coated calipers, and the Wagner pads, I was already over my budget. Wagner has a new pad out called the "OEX" which is supposedly one of their best pads to date as far as shorter stopping distances. I have no experience with them though. If Rockauto or any of my local parts store would have had them in stock back in March when I was upgrading my brakes, I would have bought a set. But EVERYONE was out of stock for some reason, so I got the good ole Thermoquiet Ceramic pads again and I'm very satisfied with the outcome.

 

[M1Gunner]

Did you clean the rotors with a brake parts cleaner before installing them? Your results sound very typical of rotors that were installed without cleaning the manufacturing and/or anti-rust oils off of them before using.

I had a die hard ford buddy do this with a new to him silverado... boy was his face red when I asked the same question after he took me for a test drive...!!!

 

[M1Gunner]

I have been in the same boat as you. The Powerstop pads flat out suck. I had the combo and I hated it. ZERO improvement over stock, plus they make more dust than a MF'er. I ended up getting Wagner Thermoquiet Ceramic pads as several people highly recommended them across several different forums I'm on. I absolutely love the combo of Wagner pads and the Powerstop rotors. Every time I put new brakes on, that's what I buy now. I just installed yet another set this Spring not because they wore out but because I upgraded to the larger 07+ front brakes. This is now my third set in 11 years. I probably could have gotten another few years out of that second set though, lol. I did a pad slap on the rear, I probably should have bought new rotors for the rear, but with all the money I spent on the new Powerstop black zinc plated rotors, the Powerstop red powder coated calipers, and the Wagner pads, I was already over my budget. Wagner has a new pad out called the "OEX" which is supposedly one of their best pads to date as far as shorter stopping distances. I have no experience with them though. If Rockauto or any of my local parts store would have had them in stock back in March when I was upgrading my brakes, I would have bought a set. But EVERYONE was out of stock for some reason, so I got the good ole Thermoquiet Ceramic pads again and I'm very satisfied with the outcome.

View attachment 183963

Completely agree brother!

 

[iamdub]

Yes they were cleaned perfectly no oil was on them-they are just zinc plated.Not happy glad its not my daily driver with a family in it.Im betting its the pads-going to pad slap- rotors only have 80 miles maybe on them.I want it to throw me threw the front windshield when i hit the brakes-not mushy pedal feel.

The pads were my next guess. From ScottyBoy's reply, they sound just like some cheap pads that were used on a Grand Cherokee I bought a couple years ago. No friction and soft feel like the pad material was made of cardboard.

 

[ScottyBoy]

Bottom line, the Powerstop rotors are pretty good especially for how little they cost. But the Powerstop brake pads (at least the ones I used many years ago) are pretty much garbage. Get some premium pads to go with your Powerstop rotors and you will be happy. Or at least happier than you are now.

 

[corvette744]

Bottom line, the Powerstop rotors are pretty good especially for how little they cost. But the Powerstop brake pads (at least the ones I used many years ago) are pretty much garbage. Get some premium pads to go with your Powerstop rotors and you will be happy. Or at least happier than you are now.

Exactly my thoughts will update after they are thrown in the garbage and changed.

 

[fozzi58]

Got the power stops on all 4 corners of my avalanche plus the calipers and I installed a set of steel lines and HAWK pads. I can bring it to a stop from 60mph in a shorter distance than my '00 Trans Am. The pads make the difference. I'll have to try the wagner pads when I upgrade the brakes on the Burb.

 

[06Escalade]

Do you have vacuum or hydraulic booster? I'm having similar issues. Replaced pads and rotors all around with Raybestos Advanced tech, bled system. I"m at the top with no fading, but it still seems like I can't stop sometimes. Starting to wonder if maybe its booster related.

 

[sumo]

I’m very happy with my power stop cryo slotted rotors and pads. Also have you changed out lines, it is possible that you have a line that’s collapsing under pressure or not releasing like it should. Also how did you bleed the system? You could have some air trapped in the system. The best way to bleed the system is with use of a scan tool. A set of stainless steel lines will make a huge difference.

 

[sumo]

Pics

 

[corvette744]

Update got the new wagner oex pads installed,i have to say not that much better got only 60 miles on it -but i want way more stooping power than it has.Time to experiment-stainless lines are next try.Im betting that makes a huge diff it did on my car.Any one have any experience with the stainless upgrade,did it work who makes the best kit.

 

[corvette744]

Update got the new wagner oex pads installed,i have to say not that much better got only 60 miles on it -but i want way more stooping power than it has.Time to experiment-stainless lines are next try.Im betting that makes a huge diff it did on my car.Any one have any experience with the stainless upgrade,did it work who makes the best kit.

View attachment 185409 View attachment 185410 View attachment 185411

I just looked im thinking the goodridge g-stop

 

[sumo]

Keep in mind with slotted cross drilled rotors. They will make more brake dust that solid rotors. The edges of slots are like using a sandpaper on wood. Every pass of a slot is keeping the surface of the pads optimal.

 

[corvette744]

Keep in mind with slotted cross drilled rotors. They will make more brake dust that solid rotors. The edges of slots are like using a sandpaper on wood. Every pass of a slot is keeping the surface of the pads optimal.

I hear you im ok with a little dust it gets cleaned every week.I think i have put maybe 800 miles on it in a year.I want a stronger pedal not mushy shit.I put the stainless lines on my car and motorcycle and its a HUGE diff-in braking and confidence.I might be seeing things but looking at the rubber hose by were it goes in the caliper it looks swollen now that i see the pic..I wasn't even looking at it when the wheel was off.That rubber hose looks alot longer than my car lines i put on.Alot more area to flex.I can say this about power stop they stand behind their product.I got sent 4 rotors and new z36 pads and a set of semi mettalic just in case.Anyone need 4 rotors and new pads.

 

[corvette744]

Just got em going in soon-maybe next week.Im hoping very positive results.

 

[TwiztidPixel]

Wow I'm glad I saw this. My rotors and pads literally came in today and I shipped the pads right back to Amazon thanks to this thread. I honestly bought the rotors for looks and the pads for maybe a little more stopping power for the 33's. Kind of scary that they're marketed as "tow" brake pads.

I'm interested in how the brake lines work out for you, I've never done stainless lines on any of my vehicles.