Brakes, Brake Lines, and Bushings...

[Eh_nigma]

Hey everyone... I hope to see this as the continuation of the Alero Project.

I want to start doing my research now, as the next step in this Alero Project after the interior is going to be under the car, as the title says, Brakes, Brake Lines, and Bushings... so for those of you who have done some things, have some advice or input, I'll start this thread off by giving my plan:

Taking as many of the stock parts as I can, and cleaning them up (Sandblasting, and then either painting/sealing them, or rock-guarding them). Replace the sway bars with something a bit more... stiff. All bushings replaced, new rotors, brake lines, wheels and rims. At the same time cleaning up any rust/corrosion underneath the car, rock guarding as much as can be, and cleaning up all the parts (Ie., fuel tank, fuel pumps, etc., etc...).

I want to do this part of the car next, as I forsee it being much, MUCH easier than the interior, quicker, and a hell of a lot cheaper than the last part of the project. So! Time for homework.

Starting with the rotors. This car won't be a 1/4 mile car, by any stretch of the imagination. A bit more than a daily driver though, with that in mind, I was looking at going with the slotted rotors, matching up with stock size of what I have right now. Any recommendations as to companies, as I'm sure that they aren't all the same. I was personally looking at the Power Slot Front and Rear Rotors available on PFYC.

Bushings - I'll be honest, I don't know shit about bushings for this car. So, what would be the best set/company to look for?

Brake Lines - anything out there like this: http://www.pfyc.com/pc/GA4006/ALSUSP/Goodridge+Stainless+Steel+Brake+Lines+-+Grand+Am+and+Alero.html, but for the GX?

That's... yeah, that's about it. Thanks, and, yeah, very soon we'll see this start coming together. *Time wise, once all the parts are collected, I'm taking some vacation time, and I see this all happening between one to two months.

Edge.

[Satsuriku]

damn man your at it again now!!!! shit you'll never stop hahaha

i have R1 cross slotted rotors from ebay and they have treated me very very well thus far and ive had them for over a year now and you'll last quite a bit longer :)

[alerored04]

ditto on the R1 concepts. Great rotors. I have Bendix ceramic pads and have had the combo for two years without an issue. Stopping power is great, and no brake dust!

[Eh_nigma]

Are talking about these:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Oldsmobile-Alero-99-00-01-02-03-04-D-S-F-R-Brake-Rotors_W0QQitemZ220162573861QQihZ012QQcategoryZ335 64QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And would you guys mind, if you have them, post up a pic of the R1's?

[freakout]

If you are looking for bigger brakes you can do it using stock parts. Impala rotors, the brackets from a camaro and either camaro or Z06 vette calipers.

[Mischief007]

Are you staying with 16" wheels/tires all the time or moving up? If moving up, you might want to consider going for a big brake upgrade.

[Eh_nigma]

I'm tossing around 18" and 17"... I'm just curious as to whether the Grand Am GT Brake line kit from PFYC (Goodridge), is going to fit on an Alero GX...

[alerored04]

Here is a pic. If you have four wheel discs the goodridge lines for a gagt should work. There is no difference in the braking systems as long as you dont have drums. And yes that link is to the correct company.

[DUSTIN0285]

^ are those rotors on backwards???

[Vinalero]

I have R1 concept too since the beginning of the summer, awesome product for the price. I've ordered slotted and drilled rotors that were zinc plated. I took some semi-metallic to go with those. Solid braking and no shaking in the steering wheel when high speed braking. So far its one of the best investment I made on my Alero.

The only down side is the shipping time of the company, took me 6 weeks to recieve my brakes and they werent even B/O.

[Eh_nigma]

Thanks for the pic, and thanks for the review of the rotors. So, I've got the rotors hammered out, brake lines, and as we speak, I'm just hammering something out with Mantapart for their swaybars (30mm Front, 26mm Rear), and getting confirmation on their Lower Sports Suspension Brace and Strut Tower Brackets.

Still in the air about bushings though...

[Eh_nigma]

This is crazy, it's 9:45 here in Wainwright, and I'm getting e-mails back from them answering my questions in pretty good detail... nice...

[alerored04]

^ are those rotors on backwards???

Technically yes but in reality it doesnt matter. I realized it after i had everything back together and did not want to redo it.

[Eh_nigma]

So, they don't have sway-bars at the moment, which is just fine with me, like I said, I'm doing my homework right now. BUT, they should, should... have them in a month or so. None the less... as far as I can see, these will be the ones I want (size wise at least), unless someone has any advice on it that I haven't received yet.

Thanks again for the help thus far.

[Mischief007]

If you are tossing around the idea of 18s or 17s, I'd seriously go with a bigger brake upgrade. The fronts can be done with GM parts. Ask Cliff aka Ecotec5. Red 2 door coupe. He has it on his Alero,

[Eh_nigma]

Oh really? Even though this is just going to be, basically, a sunday driver that I don't punch out too often?

[Mischief007]

I would. I don't think it is too expensive. Are you going to be driving it in the winter as well or will that be a no-no for this car?

There is nothing wrong with R1s because I have them on the car as well and am very happy with it but I'd definitely go for a bigger upgrade if I had to do it again.

[alero440]

DBA rotors and Status brake pads. Status is a new company, but my boyfriend swears by them. He had them on his 3000GT VR-4. he has then on his civic, along with DBA rotors on his 240SX.

Generally stick with slotted rotors. The drilling process can make the rotors weak and they can crack.

[alerored04]

camaro rotors and calipers work on the front. You do need a 17" to clear them but they look really nice and fill out larger wheels much better than stock brakes.

[Eh_nigma]

After talking with Cliff, and getting some good advice as well as information, going with either 17 or 18's (haven't decided on rims yet), but, going with exactly what Cliff has done, and what Mischief has suggested, the larger front end brakes, parts list, and it's tentative right now, but seems to be:

98-02 fbody caliper brackets (front) (P/N: 18026163)
97-04 Corvette calipers - Red (zo6) calipers: (P/N: 88895128)(P/N: 88895129)
98-02 fbody brake pads (front)
97-02 corvette anti-rattle clip,
and for the rotors:
00-05 Impala rotors (front).

For the rotors, I was looking at the R1Concepts:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/CHEVROLET-IMPALA-2005-Front-Drill-Slot-Brake-Rotors_W0QQitemZ220158605946QQihZ012QQcategoryZ335 64QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Note: The reason I keep posting up the parts & part numbers, is just in case someone has any ideas or experience with this, to hopefully confirm or guide me in my selection of parts to make sure this works...

Now, I have heard, as 440 said, that the cross drilled rotors do give people problems... for a vehicle that is going to be used as mine will be when it's finished (no winter, little to no 1/4 mile, just, basically a fun Sunday driver), Would cracked or warped rotors be something likely to happen? Or should I really not be concerned about it?

As for Rims, they will be 17 or 18, like mentioned. What I'm looking for is something simple. Nothing Chrome, wouldn't mind gunmetal or brushed aluminium, but what I'm likely to do is while I have this suspension project on the go, just get a set of 4 steelies that are the right size, and wait out until the body work and paint job is finished to be able to match up the rims to the car.

[alerored04]

I have had my xdrilled rotors for two years and have seen no warpage, so while it may be a real issue for others i have not had to deal with it.

[AJules]

dont know if this helps, but I just read on grandamgt that we can actually use equinox rotors and calipers.

[Eh_nigma]

...oh really? I'm going to have to look into that. My only thing though, is having guys and gals on this site who have tried & tested parts like rotors and, well, in this case, the brake system all around... and having the bonus of hearing from people who stand by products saying they're "shuper dooper"... but, thanks, I'll look into that as well.

[Mischief007]

There are a few of us who have had the R1 rotors and no problems. I'm pretty hard on mine and I've had them for maybe 3-4 months now with no warping or cracking.

[sorrowfulkiller]

or you could check out summitracing... for rotors, from what I hear they are exellent quality and fairly inexpensive compared to other brands

[Cliff8928]

camaro rotors and calipers work on the front. You do need a 17" to clear them but they look really nice and fill out larger wheels much better than stock brakes.

You don't NEED 17s. Some 16s fit, just not the ones that come stock on the Alero.

[billytheman1188]

I got the R1 drilled and slotted, and it doesnt seem much better than stock. I probably fucked something up, but i know i installed the shit right. idkkkk.

But its cool to see someone on here modding their alero!!! aleroMOD has about 10 people modding their aleros, about 50 people who have aleros with nothing done to them, 100 people who have aleros and complain about them, and then about 2000 who sold their aleros and bought shitty imports:lol:

Anyways, keep up the good work man! but dont go by my experience with those R1 rotors, i probably fucked it up some how, even though i installed the pads correctly......

[Eh_nigma]

Thanks! Like I said, right now I'm gathering as much info on the brakes & suspension as I can before I spend any money on parts. I want this basically to go very smooth. Do my research, ask around, and find exactly what parts I want to get (making sure they all groove with each other), collect all the parts, and once I've got them all, spend about a month getting all of that done. That's the plan...

[alerored04]

You don't NEED 17s. Some 16s fit, just not the ones that come stock on the Alero.
Thats what i meant. Offset is wrong iirc. Correct?

[Cliff8928]

No, it's just the general shape of the wheel and how they make it "fit" around the brakes. It just doesn't have enough clearance in the design.

[Eh_nigma]

Any one have any suggestions as to the bushings? I really don't want to be going to GM and picking up stock ones...

[Eh_nigma]

Yes or No?
(Enkei racing rim) http://www.enkei.com/RacingSeriesSpecs/RPF1typeRC.html
(Enkei performance rim) http://www.enkei.com/Performance%20specs/SC05.html

[CharleyO99Alero]

***

The racing rim looks best to me.


***

[AJules]

I vote for the performance rim

[xbxradxsx]

performance looks best.

[Cliff8928]

Any one have any suggestions as to the bushings? I really don't want to be going to GM and picking up stock ones...

What bushings do you want?

Yes or No?
(Enkei racing rim) http://www.enkei.com/RacingSeriesSpecs/RPF1typeRC.html
(Enkei performance rim) http://www.enkei.com/Performance%20specs/SC05.html

Definitely the "performance" one. Any idea how much it weighs?

[Kilroy]

I like these better http://www.enkei.com/jpeg%20files/Wheels/SC05.jpg

[Eh_nigma]

What bushings do you want?

Like I said before, my knowledge of bushings is pretty limited. From what I've read, I'm leaning towards polyurithane bushings, however, I'm strongly leaning on the members of this site to guide me in the right direction.

And yeah, I'm also liking the Performance rim as well. I like the aggrssive look of the racing rim, however, I think the performance rim will fit the Alero once it's finished much better.

[Eh_nigma]

ohhhhh... looked into those performance rims... sure, they're new for 2007... however, diving into it further, they're heavy... 20.3 lbs for the 18 x 8, AND, they're not for import only - only available in Japan right now, and at about 400 US a rim. SO... the search will continue... (this is another reason why I'll go with steelies for now... )

[Cliff8928]

Like I said before, my knowledge of bushings is pretty limited. From what I've read, I'm leaning towards polyurithane bushings, however, I'm strongly leaning on the members of this site to guide me in the right direction.

So like these for the control arms.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cavalier-Sunfire-Jbody-Front-Control-Arm-Bushing-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33583QQihZ019QQitem Z290175973639QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Eh_nigma]

Bingo!

Now when it comes to the bushings, after 5 years, which ones need to, or are suggested to replace? The ones with the control arms, I know the ones for the sway bars come with the kits, now, after that, what else?

[Cliff8928]

They're probably all still just fine to be honest. But you're going to get less deflection and suspension geometry change with the urethane bushings, however you'll feel the bumps a little more.

[Eh_nigma]

So... a double edged sword is it? Right. While I'm pulling my suspension apart, what is the best way to check and see if the bushings need to be replaced?

What I'm thinking of doing after reading that last bit you wrote in Cliff, is simply replacing any bushings that need to be, with stock ones.

[Cliff8928]

Yep, there's always the tradeoff of better handling for a stiffer ride.

[Eh_nigma]

I'm thinking that with the tower strut bars, a 30mm & 26mm sway bar, lowered ride the car will be stiff enough...