front brake pads... opinion needed

JimmyT · #1 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 04:48 AM

My car just went over 60k miles. I have a vibration in the front end that cant be fixed by balanceing and rotating the tires. I may have a warped rotor, and will replace the rotors and pads in the near future. Who has experience with aftermarket front brake pads, and can give me pros and cons on hawk, mintex, and oter brands? Also, is there any special tools required to change the brake rotors and pads on the front? I have access to tools and lifts, but special tools willl stump the car geeks at my "shop". Thanks for the responses.

s18t · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 05:15 AM

ive heard mintex are very good and EBC green/red stuff. i know pep boys sells them. rotors are not that hard to change, 2 bolts on the caliper and 1 screw on the the rotor.

shedpress · #3 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 08:11 AM

Here is a DIY I wrote up. As listed in the how-to, you don't need any special tools. But if you want to...

Quote:

Originally Posted by fuzzy337

The C-clamp route is nice, you can also get a tool at Autozone (free, you just put down a deposit)

I'm pretty sure the part number is #27111

http://www.vwforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=187049

Mintex redbox pads are ok, but they are very "mushy" compaired to Pagid blue race pads. I LOOOOVED my pagids when I had them on. I replaced them with mintex redbox pads and there is a world of difference.

brian2668 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 08:33 AM

do crossed drilled rotors last longer then reg roters

20vturbojetta · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian2668

do crossed drilled rotors last longer then reg roters

not really. cross drilled rotors are known for not lasting because with some spirited driving and spirited braking the rotors will get hair line fractures in them and some even go so far as breaking completly. also you will eat pads up because you basically have a cheese grader for a rotor with cross drilled.
if you are going to do rotors i would recommend going with some slotted rotors and either some mintex pagid(sp) or some ebc.

JimmyT · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2006, 11:40 AM

I caught the DYI file right after I posted, just looking at all of the choices for front pads and wanted a set that was low dusting and no squeak or squeal on brake application. I have heard alot about the mintex pads and saw them for sale at parts4vw.com. I have a few days to wait before I NEED to do the swap, and wanted as many experienced replies as i could get. Thanks again...

MK4JettaKW · #7 (**permalink**) 01-28-2006, 11:58 AM

does the DIY forum.. is that only for VR6 and 1.8T.. is it the same for a 2.slow?