Ok, Here goes...I went with the recommendation of DBA rotors/EBC GreenStuff pads in 2008 (I was told it was aggressive, but wanted the look, DISCOMIKE warned me...).

The front pads are worn down and I also have brake shudder at the front end when braking at highway speeds. I thought the vibration was a tie rod issue, dealer said I needed it replaced, got the work done, still have the shudder! I have already replaced the rear pads once. All after 3.5 years!

I have ordered EBC Ultimax slotted rotors and EBC Ultimax pads F/R, should I expect to get longer life from this set-up?

A brake job every 3-4 years is that normal, I do drive spirited on occasion.

Thanks in advance for comments...

 

Your rotors are warped.
No, you will get SHORTER brake pad life with drilled and slotted rotors, each and everytime you apply the brakes those holes are going to be taking a bite out of the brake pads.
You will be lucky to get 3.5 yrs out of them.
I'll give them a year, tops.

 

How many miles you average per year and is it a lot of stop and go traffic?

 

Brake wear involves equipment (slots chew up pads more), personal driving habits, types of driving, terrain, hours on the road and number of stops, etc. Taxi cabs and police go through brakes in a hurry. A teenager with a 360 customer paper route can chew them up as well. Old guy that commutes on back roads with one or two stops gets a lot better life out of them. With fancy looking gear usually comes more aggressive driving, so no, you probably won't get a great difference in miles out of them. Enjoy. Just think of it as keeping your mechanical skills sharp. Outside chance that warped rotor could be result of stuck or dragging caliper. This can show up with an IR thermomenter, drive to warm up, coast to a stop in a safe spot, and shoot the disks with the IR. A dragging caliper will make that disc a lot hotter than the others.

 

you were warned.

those rotors are warped.

all depends on many miles you do a year, driving habits, etc. ESPECIALLY driving habits.


3-4 years for brakes could be great and could be a nightmare for some people. I see cars that go through brakes in 2 years, 25k miles and others that have 60k on the sname pads and rotors that came from the factory. It all depends on driving habits. With the setup you are about to install, i would recommend coasting to a stop. alot.

 

I think the member that posted about living 20 miles off the paved road, in mountains, with a 2000 foot altitude change to get to the pavement, plus another 2000 feet change into town might have some wear on the old pads. But soccer mom stuck behind a school bus on a "milk run" day after day can wear them down as well. The number of Red Bull energy drinks consumed might also impact the driving habits. And if you insist on performance braking in rush hour traffic, you may have someone push that spare tire into the rear compartment. Brakes are a personal touch item, if you like bling, fine, but don't expect double the life from them just because you paid double.

 

you should try the Akebono euro pads, but 3-4 year on a set of brake on a truck this heavy does not seem bad at all.

 

I drive less than 10K a year and I commute to/from work about 16 miles through the city stop-n-go. I just wanted to know if this was average wear or not.