donbrew

For some reason, my apology post didn't get published at around 8:00 PM.

I had dust and performance mixed up metallic has better performance and less dust, but eats rotors. If you can afford new rotors every 15,000 miles go ahead.

However advances in material formulation is rapid and spotty.

firemangeorge

Several members on here have suggested looking into the larger SS rotor upgrade.
Not 1 response to this from the OP.
Guess I'm out.

HHRerrr

firemangeorge…..not quite true, if you count what I said on #25. Also I feel compelled to ad that after a whole bunch of miles on semi-met pads in the 'old' days, I never used up a set of rotors in 15,000 miles. Obviously, semi-mets will be tougher on rotors than the rest, but nothing like that. Maybe 30,000 miles...…..40,000.

Oldblue

Doc brown

Apology for what? No need in my view. This is a good discussion. We all have different experiences and it's good to share.

Silverfox

Just a Brain Fart ... Anybody know if 17" wheels will fit on Brembo's ??
SF

firemangeorge

Some will. Just depends on the thickness and the "spokes" on the rims.
My stock 18's have about 9/16's in. clearance from the Brembo calipers. 1 inch smaller rim and you lose around a 1/2 in. clearance on each side of the diameter. 17's would be cutting it close depending on the particular rim.

donbrew

I just wanted to correct myself. There was some sort of server problem last night, a couple of my post got "lost in the ozone".


For the last 40 years , or so,I have driven my vehicle as a courier. Starting with a Karmann-Ghia, Rabbit, 4 Toyota pick ups & Tacomas, 2 Nissan p/u, 2 HHRs. All had disk front brakes. I have always inspected the brakes regularly (3-5,000 miles).

I have found that organic and semi-metal pads get about 30,000 miles ceramics get 45,000 miles. Semi-metal kills rotors in 15-20,000 miles. Organics and ceramics get 2-3 sets of pads to a set of rotors.

Original front pads from the factory usually last 70-80,000 miles. The original rotors last for another set of pads.

Worn out pads means the groove is almost gone. Semi-metal pads score the rotors so much that turning is not possible, sometimes creating hot spots. One killed the lathe bit at PepBoys because the hot spot was so hard.

I have never trusted self adjusters, but the Toyota P/Us seemed to work best of any.

YMMV, just my observations.

Silverfox

Thanks George for the detailed info.
Not sure if I would want to chance it unless I had proof from another owner that had done it with a specific wheel brand and model I liked enough to go ahead.
I'm still just getting my feet wet in considering an SS purchase. The more I check things out the more I find new questions.
Looks like the changes in the SS were made in 2009-2010 models. That's the same for the LS & LT models.
Wish I still had the OE 17" wheels that cam off of my current 2LT. They were Cherry with No issues. I sold them at a good price 6 months ago.
Think I am getting a little ahead of myself here with Brembo's but getting the facts now gives me things to think about while I wait and keep looking for the right SS.

P.S. Enjoyed the HHR Track Video you posted earlier. VROOM VROOM The driver actually looked relaxed.....
Silverfox