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NAISSO Tech Forums - Hawk pads front only?
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ChrisC
level 1
10 Posts |
 Posted - 07/27/2010 : 20:36:36
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I had my brake pads replaced all around about 8000 miles ago. The replacements do not seem to have the same initial "bite" as the OEM pads. I've always thought the brakes were one of the better aspects of the car. I'd like to try Hawk perf. street pads, but they are front only.
I realize that the fronts do most of the braking work, but wonder if it's OK to have different pads front & rear.
Car is in the shop to sort out a front end rattle (esp. pass side) that happens when going over speed bumps and rumble strips at low speeds. There is no rattle when the brakes are applied, but it sounds like lugnuts rattling around inside a wheel cover if not braking. I'm suspecting the pads may not be shimmed properly. Can the mechanic do anything to verify this condition while on the lift? Or is it a matter of trying a remedy and road-testing to see if it helped?
Thanks! |
96 DCM, full stock, 61K miles. |
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Bloodvane
level 5
Somalia Southern Region
3479 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2010 : 21:47:50
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"I had my brake pads replaced all around about 8000 miles ago. The replacements do not seem to have the same initial "bite" as the OEM pads. I've always thought the brakes were one of the better aspects of the car. I'd like to try Hawk perf. street pads, but they are front only.
I realize that the fronts do most of the braking work, but wonder if it's OK to have different pads front & rear."
Welcome. Pardon our dust whilst we remodel. Feel free to peruse and shop though!
Sure. You can mix and match front to back. No worries and a good selection. Might want to find out if you switched from semi-metallic to ceramic or such to better determine why there's been a change in response/feel.
"Car is in the shop to sort out a front end rattle (esp. pass side) that happens when going over speed bumps and rumble strips at low speeds. There is no rattle when the brakes are applied, but it sounds like lugnuts rattling around inside a wheel cover if not braking. I'm suspecting the pads may not be shimmed properly. Can the mechanic do anything to verify this condition while on the lift? Or is it a matter of trying a remedy and road-testing to see if it helped?"
No shimming on the pads so that's out. About the only thing front brake related that could cause a rattle would be...actually, I can't think of anything. Unless someone really fubared the reassembly. Pads can shift and "chatter" some, but not "rattle".
Closer to past experiences would be to check the sway bar endlinks (missing/loose bushing or nut walked off), swaybar mounts (paper thin bolt retention on the stock setup and/or dry rotted/missing old bushings). Check the control arm bushings, tie rods, centerlink and connections to both idler and pitman arms. Rattles are fairly easy to isolate once you elevate the front and start hunting, shoving and tapping around.
"96 DCM, full stock, 61K miles"
Thanks for filling that in. Aside from age, there's nothing about the mileage that would suggest any major issues. Plan on keeping her bone stock or modding a little?
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ChrisC
level 1
10 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2010 : 19:40:19
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Thank you for coming back to me on this. Went back to the shop today and demonstrated the problem to them; turns out the pads were loose. Tightening the clips/tabs took care of the noise. I do plan on switching to the Hawk pads in the front, to see if that buys a bit of an improvement in the brake feel.
I plan to keep the car stock at this point...
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96 DCM, full stock, 61K miles. |
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smokey0810
level 5
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2010 : 13:42:03
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Four words: Stealth Brake Bolt Mod
World of difference. Changes the overall percentage of the braking system. Makes the rears actually do something for once. |
1995 9c1 Caprice |
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Hawk pads front only?
