MY04 2.5NA brakes

[MarkC77]

Hi guys, like many of you i am not happy with my brakes. I think the rotors are a bit warped (basically braking feels like crap sometimes). I did have them machined and it did fix them up but now its back to its old tricks.

Anyway I am thinking about upgrading the rotors and pads but am not sure where a good place is to get them from and can do the install. I am not the most mechanically minded person so a trustworthy brake dealer/installer is important.

Is it enough to just get the fronts replaced? Seems like DBA 4000 is common but I know next to nothing about rotors or pads.

Any suggestions/recommendations would be great.

PS I don't race or anything like that, I just want good brakes that don't shudder and have a good feel.

Oops, I'm in Melbourne. Eastern suburbs but don't mind travelling a bit if it means better service.

Thanks.

[MY08GT-B]

upgrading the fronts will make a big difference to braking feel and performance, as that is where the majority of the stopping is carried out. DBA 4000's are a good start & along with upgraded pads and braided steel lines you will notice a big difference.

[MarkC77]

What I just change the rotors as a stage 1 upgrade and leave the current pads (they are still like new). Would this make any difference apart from removing the shuddering?

[tangcla]

What I just change the rotors as a stage 1 upgrade and leave the current pads (they are still like new). Would this make any difference apart from removing the shuddering?

Yes, because the rotors won't be warped any more

Also look at changing the pads to a different brand / compound.

[WhiteGTB]

Upgrading brakes is something I'll be doing in the next few months as soon as my current pads are worn.

MarkC77, let us know which way you go... cause I'd probably be doing the same.

[tangcla]

The NA brakes are different to our GT brakes

[MarkC77]

Well I definetly want to get ride of the shuddering effect so rotor change will happen. At this stage I may keep the pads as they are like new.
I don't know anything about the braided steel lines. If I just replace the front rotors then can I/should I just replace the steel lines on the fronts?

Where is a good brake place in Melbourne that can supply and fit these parts?

I came across this company Hightek Brakes that seem to have all thee products, are they any good?

Thanks.

[tangcla]

I haven't heard of Hightek before; if you get a place to make up your brake lines, they should be all pretty standard as they will need to make them up as ADR approved.
If you do lines, you may as well do front and rear, since you have to bleed the brakes anyway; for now you might want to change the pads and rotors and put the stock pads and rotors aside for when you need to sell the car (which is what I did) and you don't need to bleed the brakes reason I suggest this is because changing the brake pads will cost you zero additional labour if you are changing the rotors.

[MarkC77]

I haven't heard of Hightek before; if you get a place to make up your brake lines, they should be all pretty standard as they will need to make them up as ADR approved.
If you do lines, you may as well do front and rear, since you have to bleed the brakes anyway; for now you might want to change the pads and rotors and put the stock pads and rotors aside for when you need to sell the car (which is what I did) and you don't need to bleed the brakes reason I suggest this is because changing the brake pads will cost you zero additional labour if you are changing the rotors.

Sorry, I am a little confused and not the most mechanically minded person Are you saying that if I change the lines I can't just change them for the front? I am trying to get the best performance improvement on a budget and from reading other posts it seems that changing the rears are not really necessary, hence I wanted to just concentrate on the fronts. Also I read that changing to steel brake lines makes a big difference.

[tangcla]

You can change just the fronts, however I am recommending you do both because the labour cost will be very similar (you have to bleed the brakes to change brake lines, so you may as well change front and rear while you're at it).

same goes for brake pads; when you change rotors, you have to re-fit your stock pads anyway, so it is literally exactly the same labour cost to fit different brake pads.

[MarkC77]

Looks like i'll be going for DBA 4000 slotted rotors but not sure what pads to get. I don't do any track work, just regular driving with a bit of spirited driving every now and then.

What pads would suit me? I don't won't noisy pads either.

My uncle is a mechanic so I'll just get him to do the job, but if I get new pads aparently there may be cutting involved to make it fit the Liberty. Is this something a regular mechanic can do?

[tangcla]

I have Ferodo DS2000s. Nice pads, not too noisy but they dust a lot. All Ferodo pads do.

I guess it's the tradeoff to either having pads that suck, or pads that chew through rotors.

[chriskan]

I used to take my rexxy and S15 to Howard @ Race brakes (www.racebrakes.com.au) - they're in North Melbourne - haven't been there for about 4 years tho, assume the service is still the same?

The RB74's were a good all round pad, but if it's mainly street, they might have another compound that won't chew through the discs. Stay away from metal kings though!!

Upgrade the fluid too, and maybe a cusco master cylinder brace, it improves the pedal feel as well.

[Why]

The NA brakes are different to our GT brakes

Only on the 2.5L the 3.0 has the same brakes

[tangcla]

The NA brakes are different to our GT brakes

Only on the 2.5L the 3.0 has the same brakes

sorry, that's what I meant.