100-Series Pads Fit Well

[harrydunn]

Slapped on some new OEM rotors with 100-series pads today and was curious as to how much trouble I was going to run into with getting the calipers back over the rotors, given all of the posts I've read. We left the old pads in and compressed the calipers with a 5" c-clamp as far as we normally would plus a bit more just to see where we were. Not even close really. At this point, a bit of doubt crept in and I was somewhat wishing I'd just gone with 80-series pads.

We then compressed them more than I have ever compressed any brake caliper until they felt like they would go no further. That did the trick. The calipers fit over the rotors snugly but they did not require any hammner-tapping, etc. I feel that folks perhaps are just not compressing the calipers enough even though it may feel like it. It takes more than would feel normal to you, at least in my case. Hopefully, this will help somebody out contemplating 100-series pads, Nice upgrade.

--Mark

 

[Stereo11]

Any noticable difference in stopping power?

 

[harrydunn]

I haven't driven enough yet but my initial impression is no. Keep in mind however that my old cheapo pads and rotors only had 5,000 miles on them with plenty of meat left. Rotors started warping so I decided to go OEM. I don't believe the 100-series pads are supposed to have any noticeable improvement in stopping power over the 80-series pads, just longer life.

 

[guzzla]

Sometimes you need to take out the metal shims for them to fit and yes they do stop noticeably better.
I used Bendix 4WD pads for 100s. Pays to have your discs machined at the same time too.

 

[ShawnTRD]

Only need to remove sides on PS?

I'm doing my passenger side now. The driver side went together great with the shims. Looks like I need to remove the shims on the passenger side. Is that normal for only one side? All new stuff. The calipers are remans from Advance Auto, Rotors are Wearever Brake Rotor, and Pads are Wearever Gold Brake Pads (100 series)

 

[cruiserdan]

My experience (~75,000 miles) is they stop no better but they last ~3 times as long.

 

[ShawnTRD]

I'm doing my passenger side now. The driver side went together great with the shims. Looks like I need to remove the shims on the passenger side. Is that normal for only one side? All new stuff. The calipers are remans from Advance Auto, Rotors are Wearever Brake Rotor, and Pads are Wearever Gold Brake Pads (100 series)

ok nevermind. I pushed the pistons in a little more and it fit.

 

[e9999]

good to know

as far as stopping better, one would think that, if you can activate the ABS with the 80 pads, that it won't get better than that no matter what you put on?

sounds from what you guys are saying that the 100 pads are thicker (I forgot). Could there be any issues with unswept areas of the piston now hitting seals etc?

 

[harrydunn]

ok nevermind. I pushed the pistons in a little more and it fit.

Good deal.

 

[96r50]

good to know

as far as stopping better, one would think that, if you can activate the ABS with the 80 pads, that it won't get better than that no matter what you put on?

sounds from what you guys are saying that the 100 pads are thicker (I forgot). Could there be any issues with unswept areas of the piston now hitting seals etc?

The benefit of 100 series pads is increased pad life, not improved stopping performance. So yes, the braking won't get better. You just have to buy pads less often.

The 100 series pads sweep more of the rotor. There is no effect on the caliper pistons as they touch the pad backing plate which is plenty large on the 80 series pads and even larger on the 100 series pads. The only potential problem with the 100 series pads is that they sweep a larger area on the rotor which may have rust/crud built up on it. This is why new or freshly turned rotors are recommended when you install the 100 series pads.