I'm about a month away from a brake system refresh on my wife's '97 ZJ 4.0 . The brakes are lame IMO, but I'm also used to Euro cars. I know I can't make it brake like an M3, but what "performance" pads would make a noticeable improvement and still be suitable for DD use. I've never used specialty pads on cars, so I'm unfamiliar with who's compound is good for what use.
I'm also planning on new rotors, caliper hardware, brake fluid change and possibly new hoses- maybe even braided stainless-(I know a guy
).
See if there is an OE heavy duty option. I found one for my ford truck and it was night and day difference.
Oh. And another option that surprised me was the AUTOZONE house brand severe duty ceramic pads. I currently have a set in my expedition and they have been excellent. Initial bite is not as dramatic as the OE ones but zero fade great stopping power and virtually no dust.
The OE pads were incredibly dusty but I never did find a better performing pad.
You need to look into the WJ brake swap. Akebono (sp?) calipers. Varying levels of complexity based on how far into mods you get (there are multiple ways to accomplish the swap).
In reply to airwerks:
It's the wife's DD with 250k miles, I'm definitely not going there.
So I found OEM pads reasonably priced on amazon, but found no mention anywhere of an OEM HD pad.
What about Hawk, or the other performance brake pad manufacturers?
I just went through this with my ZJ, Otis.
I had replaced pads and rotors many times on the car; I'm the original owner. It just eats 'em up, probably because the CG is so high.
The master cylinder is pretty good, but the stock calipers are borderline. Unfortunately there's no easy upgrade.
The brakes were getting weaker and weaker over 18 years. The calipers looked like they were not getting a clean bite on the rotors any more - there were big bands in the middle of the "clean" circle on the rotors.
I tossed the calipers and rotors. Put in rebuilt calipers (Raybestos) and rotors (ACDelco) - nothing special. But I used the EBC Greenstuff pads on the front, just regular old Raybestos on the rear.
Works great now. I'd suggest you try the greenstuffs on the front and plain-old whatever on the rear, and see what it gets you. Greenstuffs are like $75 a pair and Raybestos should be like $30/pair.
If you still have to call ahead for a reservation when you try to stop, I'd give up and do the calipers & rotors.
If you want part numbers off Amazon.com, feel free to give me a PM. I think I paid about $55 a corner, shipped, plus pads.
