Well the SS is just about to turn 67,000 miles any day, and it is time for some replacement work to be done. Have found alot of good info in the threads and have done some research on my own in getting ready to do the jobs at hand.........

1- replacing front & rear brake pads with EBC redstuff
2- replacing front & rear rotors as well, rather than having them cut.
front ones are from NAPA the Ult Premium as suggested in the threads.
they are made in the USA, had the NAPA dealer check with his warehouse
and found that the rear Ult Premium's are made in China....so did not
purchase those. Checked out all of the parts stores and all of their brands
are also made in China. PepBoys had the best price on them, so it looks
like the rears are hard to find made in the USA. I may have to use China
rotors on the rear.
3- bought the Moog sway bar end links from Advance Auto, they are made in
Mexico, will be replacing those also with the brakes.
4- Although I have a good amount of tread left on the front tires, and a
decent amount left on the rears, I decided it is not worth it to try to
reach 100,000 miles with the stock tires. With winter now here, and the
fact that I don't like the way the stock tires handle in the wet and snow,
they are getting replaced with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. They are
sitting in the garage now and should be mounted either Sunday or Monday.

So by next week all work shoud be completed and ready to go.......
should be fun.......later..............................Tom

 

The Moog Sway bar end links are decent. I replaced the factory ones on my 2LT back in October with them. They have grease zerks in them so they can be lubed every so often to help out with life of the parts unlike the factory end links.

 

I intend to use Mobil 1 Syn grease in them, and I figure I would grease them when I change the oil every 10,000 miles or sooner if needed.....



The new tires are on the SS, and do they look good. We are scheduled to get snow today, so you know I will be trying them out later......
So far they seem to ride real well, and seem to be quiter than the stock ones.
I am also very impressed about how the front end has stayed in alignment in almost 3 years and the amount of mileage I have put on the vehicle. All alignment specs were where they should be, so no adjustments had to be made.
So, all that is left is to do the end links and the brake job, and I will be good to go........................My SS is feeling very happy right now............

 

What brand/make of tire did you end up going with when you replaced the tires?

 

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus, as listed in post #1. Same size 225/45/18
Just got back in from the snow, and I have to say so far they are better in the snow than the stockers ever were. Yes they will slide, but it is a more controlled feeling with them. Anxious to get into some deep snow with them and see how they perform. Only have had them on for a few hours and I am very happy with my decision to purchase these tires.
Also just picked up 2 rear rotors, (made in China) but talking to a few people who have used them, they say they have had good sucess with them. Only time will tell...... The one's that may be better for the rear are just very expensive to purchase. I didn't mind paying for the NAPA Ult Pre for the front, as stated above (made in the USA), and I would have payed that amount for the rears, but they are no where to be found. And the EBC's, couldn't justify their cost at this time. So I am with NAPA's up front and Pepboys Pro Stops on the rear for rotors. I am using the EBC brake pads, so it should make for a good combination. Hope to do the brake job tomorrow.........

 

I wish people would get over the made in China Rotors. The fact is 98% of all rotors are now made there and while some are bad most are as good as they ever were. Just keep with a good name brand and normally there is no issue with them.

I just used a set of Bendix Rotors on the 04 GTP and they are a very very good rotor. In fact they are better than the last American set I bought. The price on them were very resonable too. I took the EBC dimpled rotors off the car and am done with them. The noise and wear are not worth the look. I only used them since we had the 5 spoke option wheel on the 04 and you could see them. I knew enough there is no real performance gain and did not expect any so I was not disapointed there. Just the noise on these never got any better.

I went with Hawk pads this time. The EBC were fine and we were out of stock on them at work. We did have the Hawks. I deal with warranties and seldom have an issue with Hawk. Also they based only about a 1/2 hour from me so I am buying local in a way.

I am glad to know the Moog links are greasable. If I ever have to change I will be glad to install these. I may even do so before they wear out.

When you install the EBC pads follow the seating instructuctions they include with the pads. They will do a very good job for you if you follow what they instruct after the install.

 

I hear you on the China rotors, but you know how you hear about inferior metal that may be used when made in other countries on certain items. I am hoping that they will be fine, I may just get the stock rotors cut anyway and use them again down the road, as the SS will end up being a very high mileage vehicle for me.

I also purchased Permatex Ultra Disc Brake Caliper lube, I have to reread the EBC instructions again, but do you lube the back of the pads where they contact the piston, or is there a coating already on that area? I also imagine that I should go over the new rotors along with the pins, bolts, etc. with Brake Kleen to make sure that they are the cleanest before installation.
thanks for any additonal info or tips..........................

 

Sorry misunderstood, thought you meant you were replacing the Michelens on your car.

 

Yes, that is what I did, stayed with the same brand, but a different type of tire all together.

 

im sprised the breaks lasted you that long. Im about to put on my 3rd set of pads at 36k

My stock tires are gone as well