Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Ceramic... less brake dust and lighter in colour. Plus they aren't so rough on your rotors as semi-metallics.

Did I mention better stopping? :D

Wait a minute...are you saying you're buying new rotors and pads for the GS?

:looks out window:

Hmm...hell hasn't frozen over yet and the Browns aren't in the Super Bowl.
 
It must suck, getting only 21 years out of your ORIGINAL ones!

For OEM appearance and quality I would recommend Raybestos rotors. They'll be about $50 each but they are as close to OEM as I've ever found. Far as pads, definitely semi-metallic (as per OEM) with a lifetime warranty--which you may or may not ever use. Brand-wise, I'd say pick a name you recognize.

You would probably also be interested in new bearings to go with the new rotors, yes? I like Timken bearings because they are good, and also because they are made in Canton which helps our Ohio economy. I try to buy from Ohio mfrs. and vendors as much as possible. However, Perfect Circles are also just as good.

Ric, you'll also have to (eventually) report back as to whether the stock outer bearings were metal or plastic. The OEM ones on my '86s were plastic. I don't know when the changeover took place.

Hmm...hell hasn't frozen over yet and the Browns aren't in the Super Bowl.

and as for what brake pads to use in my opinion go with what would be stock.. which is semi metallic which is middle of the road sort of speek..Ceramic will be to hard of a compound thats why they don't make dust.and are made for racing and will make just as much dust on a race track when they get hot. from my experence with brake pads the Ceramic pads don't work well on the street since they never get really warm or hot like other pads.. and don't have the same stoping power untill they get to the proper tempature which is much hotter then semi metallics.

[SIZE=+1]Ceramic Brake Lining Material[/SIZE]
 
Although first introduced as far back as 1985 on some new vehicles, mass aftermarket applications for ceramic-based disc brake pads are just now becoming widely available. Approximately 33 percent of all new vehicles, domestic and foreign combined, now have ceramic-based disc brake pads. The newest generation of ceramic brake lining compounds contain no chopped steel fibers or steel wool as found in earlier semimetallic linings, but instead substitute ceramic compounds and copper fibers. These changes provide modern ceramic-based lining materials the capability of handling today's high brake temperatures with less heat fade, faster recovery time, and less wear on both the pads and rotors.
 
Of even more value to brake repair facilities is the ability of ceramic lining compounds to significantly reduce annoying brake noise or squeal, which is the No. 1 consumer complaint relating to brake service. Ceramic compounds dampen noise and move brake pad vibrations to a frequency outside of our human hearing range, 20 Hz through 20,000 Hz. As with earlier disc brake pad designs, some ceramic pad applications may also incorporate other noise-reducing features such as chamfers, slots and insulator shims. One leading aftermarket manufacturer has gone as far as naming its line of ceramic brake pads "Quiet Stop."
 
Another positive characteristic associated with ceramic brake lining materials is the absence of visible brake dust, a feature that any vehicle owner with stylish wheels will appreciate. All brake materials, ceramic included, will produce some brake dust. Earlier semimetallic and organic brake compounds left a brownish black dust on wheels. In comparison, ceramic compounds produce a light-colored dust that is much less noticeable and does not attach itself to wheels.
 Although an increase in product cost will more than likely be associated with ceramic-based brake linings, their benefits may be worthwhile for consumers. Based on their own durability tests, lining manufacturers say these compounds will outlast most other premium pad materials by a considerable margin. However, aftermarket brake pads with ceramic materials should only be used on those applications where the OEM specified a similar formula.

But they are tied with last years super bowl champs!

[SIZE="1"](I'm just pickin' on Ric because I *think* he's a Browns fan).[/SIZE]