[noodles]

Interesting, let us know how they perform, you doing the back too?

Will do. Back brakes look like new, so they will be staying.

 

[noodles]

Price of the rotors?

I put both Raybestos and AcDelco p/n's up so you guys can figure out what's best option for your locale.
In my case, Amazon Canada was $102 CDN plus tax each rotor with free shipping. That's about $77 USD. Rock auto was too much $ to ship the rotors (they each weigh 29lbs), but as mentioned, I ordered the pads from Rockauto.

 

[noodles]

I didn't measure mine, but they have some nice grooves cut into them, so I figured I'd just replace them instead of cutting them and possibly have to replace them anyway.

 

[noodles]

Pads showed up from Rockauto. Nice wide grooves in the friction material. These won't be filling up anytime soon like the stockers do.

 

[noodles]

WOW!!! Them things are crazy!

Did you even get the steering wheel shake while braking noodles?

No steering wheel shake, and no pulsation. Every year when I put the winter wheels on, I remove the pads to clean out the centre groove, and do a 80 grit cross-hatch sanding job. Within a month of driving after that the rotors clean up, which means the OEM pads are harder material than the rotors themselves.

 

[noodles]

Noodles, wasn't it you that gave me a link to buy Powerstop Z36s for a cheap price in Canada? It was actually a great deal btw.

I could avoid shipping entirely if I picked them up at one of their retail stores (down in the Lower Mainland) or ... pay an extra $100 and they would ship to my home (which I selected).

Total price with taxes and shipping was just over C$600 (US$450) for all four rotors and pads. I did debate about picking them up to save C$100 and visiting my father (who lived near the store) and kill two birds with one stone.

Yep, I knew you were looking to get new brakes, and the sale on the powerstops was too good for you to pass up, especially if you were to pick them up while visiting family. When I noticed that mine are not gonna last until spring, I started researching some more and wanted to see what was available in a stock appearing package, since I am keeping the OEM rears. On paper, my combo looks good, and cost the same as would getting the Z36 for the front. Like I mentioned, these will be going on the truck when I swap in the winter wheels.

 

[noodles]

Well, finally got these Police package rotors and Wagner OEX pads installed this weekend while doing the summer wheel swap.
The oem pads just lasted long enough to make the debut of the new ones after winter.

Really nice that they are ready for install out of the box (no oil on them due to being polymer coated).
Initial impressions after bedding in... they are very progressive, I would say not as much initial bite compared to the OEM's, but stepping on it more sure hauls down alright.
I have a feeling I'm gonna like these while towing.
Also installed the Moog thermoplastic front sway bar bushings a week ago while doing an oil change (nice and stiff, and super easy install). Next weekend I should be installing the belltech rear sway bar.

 

[noodles]

What made you go with the Police Package rotors over the powerstops?? Just curious

Read post #1, or should I google that for you? LOL.
Couldn't resist.

 

[noodles]

Will follow up with some miles on them, including how they dust up. Hopefully, we won't have to share anything in regards to durability for another 4 years.

 

[noodles]

I'm curious to know how these work since I'll be considering better braking with the larger rims/tires I have ordered. What kind of under coating did you use here? Looks super clean!

Thanks, I do try to keep it protected against all the brine/salt used up here in the winter. I just touched up the rustproofing too with Corrosion Free Formula 3000 (gel type product).
It does stick to surfaces pretty good. I spray it on, then rub it around.

 

[noodles]

Wait. What are we talking about?!

Lubricated body protection... for the truck.

 

[noodles]

Been a couple of weeks of good driving. Still the same progressive feel. I am happy with the OEX pads, but I feel if it's just a daily driver, most ppl prolly won't like the lesser initial bite than the oem pads. Brake dust is also much less with the oex pads, and it's not black either.
Only downfall of the new front rotors, is that it makes my rear rotors look old. Take a guess which is new.

 

[noodles]

Noodles, one question I was meaning to ask, did your brakes have a formal break-in procedure like the Powerstop suggested (and I did perform)?

After 10 months of use in all climates, the brakes seem even stronger now (but not grabby either). I don't notice any brake dust on my wheels either. During the summer, I do a lot of "hand washing" and that is when I normally notice any brake dust on previous vehicles. And some have been bad. I will update after this summer if I notice any brake dust.

Overall, very happy with the Powerstop Z36s.

I bed all brakes using the same procedure.

- 60km/hr light to moderate application x3 times without coming to a complete stop, then
- 100 km/hr moderate application x2 times with 30 secs of cool down time between, then drive easy without using brakes for 1 minute
- I do 2 heavier applications from 100 km/hr by progressively pushing harder on the brake pedal (not heavy enough to engage ABS) with 30 secs in between. You will smell your brakes at this point.
- Lastly, I drive with the least amount of brake use possible to cool down, and park it without engaging the parking brake.

Street or track, 2 wheels or 4, this procedure hasn't let me down yet.

 

[noodles]

Hey Noodles,

Can I get an update as to how your brakes are? I'm going to be needing fronts soon. Are you still happy with the police package rotors? How is the pad life/feel? I see Crappy Tire is selling Brembo's (cheaper line I would imagine), any input? TIA.

Very happy with the set up. They have not given me any pulsing, and the coating is still there, although it's not shiny like before, but no rust ridge at all.
As far as the pads, I will warn you that they do not have the initial bite of the stockers. I'm not saying they don't bite or work when cold (I have no issues in the winter), but they have a more progressive feel to them, and you can modulate them better. I love brakes that give me a gradual feel, instead of "all there at once".
Traditional brake dust is virtually non existent, probably because of the lack of metallic or carbon ingredients. I think there is lots of Kevlar in these pads, which is probably why I like Kevlar clutches on street bikes.
I've gone 5 weeks without washing the truck, and there is no black to be found on the rims.

Seeing as how wide the grooves in the pads are, I was very surprised to find some of the grooves filling up with material, so I cleaned them and chamfered the edges of the grooves a little. I'll look at them again when it's time to get the winters on.

 

[noodles]

Ordered full brakes thru RockAuto.com and used the discount code. Picked the Raybestos front rotors (police version) as they were 85.00 vs 105.00 for the AC Delco. Got the Wagner pads OEX front and rear. Picked the Raybestos rear rotor (premium) to match the front as there is no police spec for the rear. Rear rotors are also coated. RockAuto had the best prices. Nothing even close on Amazon.ca. Even with the exchange and shipping these are cheaper than NAPA Premium line that I last installed on the front (with Mechanic's discount).

When I replace my rears, I'm ordering new parking brake shoes just to be on the safe side.

 

[noodles]

Unless you drive around with your E brake on you should not need new E brake shoes at all.

Sometimes they just become brittle, and come apart after a while.

 

[noodles]

All my brake parts arrived. Sadly the Raybestos Police front rotor box says "Made in China". They appear to be the same as Noodles (OP) first post. The Wagner OEx pads are interesting and they are made in the USA. Today I installed the fronts as my NAPA Premium's were squealing badly on the driver's side with lots of brake dust. They were not down to metal and no squealer strip. The inside (piston) pad was worn a bit more than the outer. Both sliders were good. Everything got a good cleaning and silicone brake grease on the caliper pins and back on with all the new stuff. Bedded them in as per PowerStop procedure and they feel similar to new. Now they are cooling off.

Many quality companies/OEM's have facilities in China. I'm sure they're just as good as the ones built in Italy.
How are you liking the combination?

 

[noodles]

They are a lot better than my previous NAPA Premiums. Good modulation and feel. Normal braking with light to medium pedal pressure feels strong and if quicker braking is required they just grip more. I'm impressed so far. I'll check them in a few weeks when I install my snow tires. Thanks for the recommendation.

I don't like a pad that has aggressive initial bite... I prefer modulation, probably from years of trail braking on the race bikes.
Have you installed all 4 corners or just the front?

 

[noodles]

Just the fronts for now. Rears still had a lot of pad on them. I will check them when I put the snows on in a couple of weeks.

I'll wait for your feedback when you install them. I'm really happy with the feel of just the fronts ATM... Your feedback will tell me wether to get the OEX for the rear.