I know, I know, the question's have been asked millions of times but damn, damn, damn!!!!!!!! i want to make the right choice...HELP, please. i have done a search but so many conflicts.

I just came into $300 and want to replace my brake pads and Shocks/struts.
My first question is about the brake pads I have read so many conflicting posts about them, some say Hawks and others say Performance friction and others say Bendix.....seriously which pad does the job? i talked to someone at Hawks and they say that the PF pads where out in about 1000 miles and start to fall apart. Well that aint no good!! Im sure he was just plugin "hawks"

Shocks/struts: I really dont want to fork out the $130 a piece for Bilstiens so I was wondering would the KYB's be just as stiff as my stock shocks/struts or will the be softer? I know that my shocks need replacing after 95000 miles but they are stiff, they just shimmy REAL bad when I hit a bump in a turn or sometimes on highway.

I dont race but I do want to be able to take a turn at high speeds every once in a while.

------------------
wishmister@yahoo.com

1987 White IROC-Z
305 TPI LB9
700-R4 auto tranny
87,000 miles
Very Clean car
Performance Resource Chip
Flowmaster Muffler
Throttle Body Coolant bypass
TPIS air Foil
K&N's
Gutted air box
Accel 8.0 plug wires
Moroso Super Coil
Blue Streak Cap and Rotor
AC Delco Rapidfire plugs
Mobil 1 15/50 Synthetic motor oil
Mobil 1 synthetic Trans fluid.

 

from what i read the PF pads have a good reputation. i like bendix ,but they're closer to stock replacement pads. can't help with the struts, i have lakewood drag struts on my car.

------------------
-=ICON MOTORSPORTS=-

 

I also use Bendix pads... I use the semi-metallics, I think that's part # MD-154?

Any, yes, any new strut/shock will be better than what you've got now. If you want the best, go after the Bilstiens, but you should feel an improvement with the KYB's.

I put Monroe Sensatrac units on my car in Summer of '96, and noticed one hell of an improvement. I never noticed the cheaper KYB's, which supposedly act the same.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

Well I just got back from Advance and ordered the KYB's ...GR2's for the front and GAS-ADJUST for the rear. Total came to $182, I know I could have saved me $20 thru SUMMIT but if anything goes wrong I dont have to wait on UPS I can just go a day in advance and and tell them to order me another set and they'll be there. I sure hope the car rides better with the new SHOCKS/STRUTS..

I was going to piurchase the PF brake pads but the looked kinda funny (has anyone ever seen them?) and all kinds of brake powder came off on my hands. I just didnt feel right buying them. I will probably go with the BENDIX.....GOOD OR BAD? thanks guys.

------------------
wishmister@yahoo.com

1987 White IROC-Z
305 TPI LB9
700-R4 auto tranny
87,000 miles
Very Clean car
Performance Resource Chip
Flowmaster Muffler
Throttle Body Coolant bypass
TPIS air Foil
K&N's
Gutted air box
Accel 8.0 plug wires
Moroso Super Coil
Blue Streak Cap and Rotor
AC Delco Rapidfire plugs
Mobil 1 15/50 Synthetic motor oil
Mobil 1 synthetic Trans fluid.

 

I think you'll be happy with the KYB's. I put them on my car recently and I'm happy with them. I also put Eibach springs on at the same time. My car ran significantly better autocross times with this setup and race tires. Enjoy

Tom Milmont

------------------
Tom Milmont
'89 Formula 350
13.4sec@101mph
My Page <- for the mods
Route 66 Raceway in Joliet.

 

Well see, i going to have them installed this weekend. Also Im going to do brake pads and shoes. Should I have the rotors turned even if they look OK. I know I will have to have the drums turned.