I just have a couple questions about brakes. 1. would it be better to get the rotors turned or replaced (when i spin the left front wheel off the ground it stops on one side and catches on the other)? 2. What is the best type and brand of pads? 3. My brakes feel squishyer than they should be (based on driving other cars), does this mean its time for new pads? I wanted to ask these because i have to change the pads and rotors (or turn them) on my moms car, grandmas car and maybe mine too, this weekend.

 

Best type of pad? That would a composite carbon fiber filled one, but I assume you do not want to spend $800 on a set of pads. The durlast ceramic pads they sell at Autozone are pretty good and if you team that up with the durlast gold rotors its a decent setup. That is was a lot of buget minded autocrossers do, or so I have read. Avoid the cheapy rotors the tend to have sand pockets in them that really cut down the life of the brake job and tend to warp early on.

Is your car drum or disk in the back? Soft or spongy brakes are normally caused by air in the system or out of adjustment rear drum brakes. In so odd situation the brake booster can cause an issue but that is pretty rare.

 

Haha ya $800 for pads is a bit spendy. I have disks in the rear.

 

Spongy brakes can also be a sign of a master cylinder that is getting old and worn. Best way to know for sure is have a shop pressure bleed the system and see if that helps. My car is going to get that treatment here in a few weeks.

Oh and new rotors are always best, Ceramic are the best bang for the buck but if you spend a few pennies more you can get Carbon Metallics which draw heat better than Ceramic but will leave a black dust on your wheels. Ceramic do not leave any noticable dust.

Massey