Originally posted by CAM2:
Seems brake advice is pretty scattered . . . pads here, rotors there . . . kinda tough to get a whole picture.
I've got a '98 CSVT and drilled rotors on the way. What pads are recommended for a daily driver in all 4 seasons?
are excellent pads for a daily driver. No warm-up time, low dust, etc...
Also, are braided hoses and different fluid a must?
Braided hoses would only be considered a "must" if you were to run track events, where high heat becomes a factor. However, on a pure street car, braided lines will give you a more positive pedal feel.
Fluid would be a "must" simply because it should be flushed at least once every two years. Try a heavier duty fluid, such as Ford heavy-duty DOT3 (actually DOT4), Castrol GT/LMA, or Valvoline DOT4 synth. All three are very cheap to buy (usually 5 bucks or less for a quart at Pep Boys or your local Ford dealer), and have wet/dry boiling points higher than anything you'll see on the street.
With that, here's some advice. Follow the bedding procedure included with the pads and/or rotors to the letter. Rotors (especially drilled/slotted) are susceptible to warping during initial wear-in if they aren't seasoned properly.
