4.6L (1996-2004 Modular) Mustang Technical discussions on 1996-2004 4.6 Liter Modular Motors (2V and 4V) within.

Replace or Upgrade the Brakes?

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Old Mar 9, 2009 | 07:45 PM
  #1  
trickdriller's Avatar
trickdriller
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Default Replace or Upgrade the Brakes?

On my last Mustang, I took my front brakes going bad as an excuse to upgrade them to the Mach 1 red ones. I noticed, however, that the calipers only cover about 2/3 of the rotor and it looks like a$$ when installed.

So, what is a way to make my 03 GT stop better without putting a Brembo kit on the front? Better brake pads? Know of any?

Thanks gents.
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 07:50 PM
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How much more do you expect calipers to cover the rotors??? Most calipers only cover that much. Not sure what your talking about....

Lynn
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 08:19 PM
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true to that^^. your braking should not be that bad, have the rotors turned and some ceramic pads on there and you are good, unless you road race
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 08:32 PM
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If you go so far as to replace calipers, install SS brake lines at all four corners and go DOT 4 or better fluid change.

Jazzer
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 08:57 PM
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Are ceramic calipers really that much better?

And what I'm talking about is when you buy the Bullit/Mach 1 Caliper and Rotor set, the inner 1/3 of the rotor will rust and there's nothing you can do about it short of putting some high temp paint on it. In my opinion, it looks like ***.
Old Mar 9, 2009 | 09:02 PM
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I need to have my rears addressed at some point, and probably the same with the front.
I'm about as far from a pro when it comes to brakes as you can get so I really don't know anything about them.

A mechanic that looked at my car back when I was having the tie-rods done mentioned that the rears looked pretty bad, so I assume he was just being honest (and I am getting some noise when coming to a complete stop)

Is it best on our cars to just do a stock replacement/work, or to upgrade?
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 11:37 AM
  #7  
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Don't upgrade the rears. It's not worth the money. But you do need to work on them. I neglected mine on the last Stang and it cost me a lot of money.

So, anyone know if the ceramic brake pads are worth getting?
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 04:22 PM
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Generally, with ceramics, they last longer, but some complain that it takes longer to stop. I have semi-met on mine, so other than that, I can't really help.
Old Mar 10, 2009 | 04:55 PM
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Dammit, why can't these cars come with descent brakes?!

Oh well, we knew this when we bought our cars I'll just replace the originals and wait until a good deal on Brembo's pop up. Thanks guys.
Old Mar 11, 2009 | 07:34 AM
  #10  
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OP, head over to the Performance Handling section and pose the brakes question. You will find LOTS of pepes who know TONS about brakes, pads, rotors and such.

They will likely just refer you to different pads as the rotors/calipers are not bad. You will wear out your calipers faster as the pads are generally harder on them, but rotors are cheap and easily replaced.

HTH

Jazzer
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