Brake Pad Choice?

[Bryan Wharton]

It's nearly time to replace the disc brake pads that came with my 2007 C6 convertible fitted with the selective ride control and larger cross drilled rotors.

The question is with what ones?
I do enter the occasional track day and love to drive the car in a sporting manner but have not had cause to want better brakes than what I already have but it would be nice to have less brake dust.

I have heard good things about the Hawk pads, do I stick with the "street" version or go to "ceramic"?
Or do I stick with the GM Delco pad as fitted standard?
Or am I better served by Delco's #17D31CH ceramic?

Are the ceramic pads to hard on the rotors?

I would appreciate some guidance from someone who has been there done that.

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Honestly, there are so many variables to any pad that they must be considered.

Ceramic pads are very tough on rotors, but are more quiet than other types.

Hawks work great when hot, but when cold, do not perform very well and are more noisey than stock.

Part number for the GM pads that are as best a compromise would be 19152862 for the fronts, 89026853 for the rears.

Allthebest, c4c5

[Bryan Wharton]

Thanks for your reply.
The problem I have is that GM do not offer these part numbers in Australia so I need to rely on mail order from the USA.
Are you able to connect me with a dealer that can supply the part numbers you have recommended please?

I found the attached on ebay but was wary that they are ceramic and did not want my rotors eaten up. Given your advice that ceramic are very hard on rotors, would you confirm that this listing is not a good choice?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-09...ht_2948wt_1078

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,

ACDelco p/n 171-0946 for the fronts
ACDelco p/n 171-0964 for the rears

These are the OEM equivilent for your stock pads.

Allthebest, c4c5

[Bryan Wharton]

Thank you for your advice, it is appreciated.

[John Harry]

Bryan:

One reputable source for mail order GM parts is Gene Cully at GM Parts House www.gmpartshouse.com

[leadfoot]

I have run the ceramic Raybestos and love them no noise no dust and yes they may eat the rotors a bit more but how much? Mine have been fine and the no dust no noise is worth the shortened rotor life for me. No flames as I have great respect for C4-C5 and the opinions of others just my 2 cents..

[NORTY]

Originally Posted by Bryan Wharton

It's nearly time to replace the disc brake pads that came with my 2007 C6 convertible fitted with the selective ride control and larger cross drilled rotors.

The question is with what ones?
I do enter the occasional track day and love to drive the car in a sporting manner but than what I already have have not had cause to want better brakes but it would be nice to have less brake dust.

I have heard good things about the Hawk pads, do I stick with the "street" version or go to "ceramic"?
Or do I stick with the GM Delco pad as fitted standard?
Or am I better served by Delco's #17D31CH ceramic?

Are the ceramic pads to hard on the rotors?

I would appreciate some guidance from someone who has been there done that.

Since you seem to be happy with the pads you now have, I recommend replacing with the same pad composition. This will eliminate cleaning the current pad residue from the rotors. This can usually only be done by turning the rotors. Sanding doesn't really work as it embeds silica into the rotors. Also, it's rarely evenly done, so "stick/slip" spots can form on the rotor's swept surface. This is what creates "brake shudder." The complaint is usually "warped" rotors when it 's an uneven layer of pad residue that is the cause.

[Bryan Wharton]

Thanks to everyone for their input.
I will stick with the GM pads as the first set have done everything I need of them the only real downside is the brake dust but keeping it clean is part of the fun!
I will contact the dealer as recommended.
Many thanks