Ouch! Please suggest something less painful!

[nfpgasmask]

Well, from reading this forum it seemed to be the consensus that OEM was the way to go with brakes and rotors. But, after getting the price quote from Merlin, I am just about ready to try something different.

Ruf, what are you using?

And has anyone tried these:

R1Concepts

They have these on eBay for A LOT less than OEM, but I don't want a crap product on my VX.

Thanks - Bart

Bart, Why would you want oem rotors when they are prone to disintegrating?

[Hotsauce]

Avoid chinese made rotors, they are very soft.

I like the stock pads very much, and after trying many different other pads will only use the stock brake components.

John C.

[Ruflyf]

I am using the oems, but I havent had any problems from mine. I just remember peeps talking about having issues with them.

[VCrossfan]

For Rotors I went with the Duralast from autozone $30.00 per rotor no exchange of course and a 24 month Warranty. My rear rotors were coming apart on the inside (I replaced), and the fronts looked fine. OEM pads aren't cheap but they last.. All four corners for $172.71 from Merlin at ST Charles to my door, Free Shipping also..good luck..

[Ldub]

Another option...SP performance rotors, slotted & drilled, slotted only, drilled only or daimond slot.
Last time I got a price quote from these guys was 10/06 & they wanted $226.79 for front pair, $226.84 for the rears.

www.raceshopper.com

Check em' out & see what you think.

[WormGod]

Yep, for that price, just go with some better performance brakes.

[Clyde]

I've recently had my back rotors w/pads and front pads replaced. This being done after approximately 130,000 miles on the original pads and rotors.

I went with a set of rear rotors from O'Reilly's (around $29 each) and just had the original front rotors turned (was told they were fine).

As for the pads, I used Warner brake pads front and rear. I believe they are the ceramic type that originally came on the VehiCross. I was told when I bought these a long time ago (I like to have stuff like that handy when I need it) that Warner is the original brake pads for many manufacturers. Plus if you buy them at a local autoparts store instead of at a dealership you save some cash. I purchased these at O'Reilly's also if I remember correctly. I don't remember what I paid for them, but it don't believe they were as expensive as what you were going to pay at a dealership nfpgasmask.

So far, mine are working fine with no problems.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

For Rotors I went with the Duralast from autozone $30.00 per rotor no exchange of course and a 24 month Warranty. My rear rotors were coming apart on the inside (I replaced), and the fronts looked fine.

Ditto for me too. My rear rotors finally came apart on the inside at 60k miles. I do live on a dirt road so I'm sure the dust didn't help. I tried cleaning the caliper sliders a few times over the years but the rotors still went kaput. My fronts still look fine. I went to AutoZone today to buy the cheapest rear rotors (ValueCraft #31084B) & pads (DuraLast D580) for the rear just get her up and running and to make it through winter...only costs me $22.99 per rotor plus like $21.99 for the pads. Everything was in stock.
Autozone does list cheaper pads (ValueCraft D580V @ $12.99) but these were not in stock where I was at. They also list more 'spensive pads if anyone wants premium pads.

I ordered "R1 Concepts Inc" drilled/slotted/zinc plated front & rear rotors today for a next spring mod project. They were $154.99 + shipping($48 to PA via UPS Ground) @ their website.

Also ordered pads from "Import Replacement parts":
http://www.importrp.com/home.php

(D 770 RU/5) PBR/Axxis Ultimate FRONT Brake Pad Set $44.99
(D 771 RU/6) PBR/Axxis Ultimate REAR Brake Pad Set $44.99
Subtotal: $89.98
my Shipping cost: $13.06

Total: $103.04

Also ordered a stainless steel brake line kit from "Independent 4X":
http://www.independent4x.com/item.jh...3&PRID=1221569

$149.99 plus shipping (my shipping to PA was $11)

Of course if the weather stays warm here in W. PA; Spring just might come a little early if you catch my snowless drift

[biju]

Jolly,

Did you get your R1 rotors yet?

I got mine today, and am on the fence. They look good, but the drilled holes look a little sloppy (but I could just be picky). Some are smooth holes, others are jagged. Can't tell unless you're up close holding them in your hands, but still... wondering if you're have the same texture?

wonder if this will have any sort of effect on them...?

Anyways, the Independent 4x brakeline kit came today also (It was a 'package' day for sure...) Really BEEFY lines!

They all get installed tomorrow, so I'll post back on performance.

-biju.

[nfpgasmask]

Beej, please do keep us posted. I have not ordered my rotors and pads yet...so please feedback.

Thanks - Bart

Jolly,

Did you get your R1 rotors yet?

I got mine today, and am on the fence. They look good, but the drilled holes look a little sloppy (but I could just be picky). Some are smooth holes, others are jagged. Can't tell unless you're up close holding them in your hands, but still... wondering if you're have the same texture?

wonder if this will have any sort of effect on them...?

Anyways, the Independent 4x brakeline kit came today also (It was a 'package' day for sure...) Really BEEFY lines!

They all get installed tomorrow, so I'll post back on performance.

-biju.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Jolly,

Did you get your R1 rotors yet?

I got mine today, and am on the fence. They look good, but the drilled holes look a little sloppy (but I could just be picky). Some are smooth holes, others are jagged. Can't tell unless you're up close holding them in your hands, but still... wondering if you're have the same texture?

wonder if this will have any sort of effect on them...?

Anyways, the Independent 4x brakeline kit came today also (It was a 'package' day for sure...) Really BEEFY lines!

They all get installed tomorrow, so I'll post back on performance.

-biju.

No, I haven't received mine yet. I just got home from work and found my Independent 4X steel brakeline kit delivered to the doorstep; but, still waiting for rotors and PBR/AXXIS brake pads.

I was thinking that if my rotors arrive with any of the holes jagged as you described I'll either take'em to work (we have full machine shop there) and deburr the hole with a champhering tool or simply use my dremel at home.

As far as the issues with stones....I live on a dirt road with lots of stones of assorted sizes....all the way down to the granular stones you find in a handful of beach sand. If this IS an issue...I'll report back to you guys about it. Thats kind of why I didn't mind buying the Autozone rear rotors now because they'll be good to have (along with my original front rotors) if I encounter any problems with stones lodging in the holes of the R1Concepts.

[Tobert]

And has anyone tried these:

R1Concepts

I put them on both my VX and my wife's Impreza. They're working out just fine, but I only have about 2k miles on each car since the purchase. They do fit well. I also bought the ceramic pads from R1concepts. They're a really tight fit into my calipers, but they work just fine.

edit: I actually went with the OEM style and not drilled/slotted. I have any need for extra venting and would prefer the extended pad life.

[colmhd]

I paid $165 for a set of front and back discs from these guys, and a set of OEM pads for $30 all round.
I went in and had the pads changed less than 6 months ago and asked the guys to check the discs as I had a feeling they weren't right. No they're fine. I was told.
So here I am 6 months later and getting a grinding noise when I brake, I was replacing the front shocks with Ranchos and told them to check out the brakes and discs. "You've got about a thousand mile left on the front shoks and the discs are OK.
But on the way back from the shop the grinding got that little bit more noticable, I ordered pads that night. when I took them to a different shop to get them fixed while I was at work,(pouring rain no garage,middle of winter, would you?)
They rang back and said they wouldn't put the pads on as I desperatley needed discs. So the Golden Rule is if you feel it ain't right it more than likely isn't.
http://catalog.autopartsgo.com/brand...rake_disc&my=1

[Joe_Black]

LOL, interesting thread. I'm at 133K miles on the original rotors and will have them turned (if needed) as I do need pads for the front, which will be the Axxis pads since stopping is kinda important to me and they've proven themselves in AutoX and RallyX circles here.

[CrnCnn]

I am in the market soon, any updates on the R1 product?