These calliper bolts are going to kill me.  I wish I had Ken's super
powers:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0NGUkfOg6w

On Wed, Jul 10, 2013 at 7:41 AM, Tom Carchrae <tom@carchrae.net> wrote:

> This pad rating got me curious.  Go figure, I didn't think about it before
> but makes sense.  I don't think I would simply use price => quality.
>  Reading about pads: http://www.brakewarehouse.com/brkewrhsefaqs.asp -
> there are many kinds for many applications.
>
> I have no idea what the rating of the pads on the van are right now.  I
> bought some replacements (Bendix D45A) on a previous parts order - I think
> they were on sale because they'd been discontinued. I'm not entirely sure
> what their rating is.  The box says "RG" but that seems strange - is R
> really a rating?
>
> The two letters indicate the cold and hot co-efficient of friction, with
> higher being more friction.  More friction is better braking, but higher
> friction typically means worse performance at higher temperatures:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_pad#Types
>
> On other things, I'm going to buy a caliper today.  The FLAPS (Lordco) has
> one at $108 (the no account price) with a core swap - which is reasonable.
>  I'm not sure if I should do both sides though.  Also, thanks Dennis, I'll
> measure the rotor.  Good point.
>
> Is it worth flushing the brake system?  And if so, with what?
>
> Tom
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 9, 2013 at 8:43 PM, Scott Ohana <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>wrote:
>
>> Perhaps someone should do extensive testing of braking distance to a
>> full stop from say 60 mph ,
>> on a Vanagon ..but with different pads tried ..
>> different brands and grades and prices..
>> and note pedal feel, ability to modulate stopping 'grip'  and stopping
>> distanceand other attribues.
>>
>> under controlled circumstances..same van, same road, same temperature ..
>> same brake temps even.
>>
>> some pads are optimized for low cost,
>> some for long life, some for no brake dust, some for no sqeual ( or
>> combo's ofall these )
>> or stopping power.
>> or resistance to fade ..another very important attribute to have in a
>> brake pad.
>>
>> Generally ..the more you pay for a set of pads..the better they will be,
>> and deliver the best overall blend of desirable attributes. I stopped
>> buying the cheapest stuff, or even somewhat inexpensive stuff, a long
>> time ago.
>> Doesn't pay really, all factors considered.
>>
>> lol..a set of pads range between about $ 9 and about $ 90 ..
>> I won't be using the cheap ones in any case, personally.
>>
>>
>> On 7/9/2013 8:31 PM, Richard A Jones wrote:
>>
>>> Dennis wrote:
>>>
>>>>   Stopping ability is more
>>>> important than long life.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Perfectly said!
>>>
>>> But, it's like saying good tires are better than cheap
>>> tires.  That's the most common reflection of this idea
>>> on this list.  "What's wrong with this [under-rated]
>>> cheaper tire" than a nice [more expensive] 102 rated
>>> tire?
>>>
>>> Fighting Darwin in tiring.  Or tire-ing....  ;-)
>>>
>>> With tires, it is one failed stop--or one flat
>>> on a narrow road in Baja with a 12" dropoff on the side--
>>> is worth a LOT more than up-front costs--in hind-sight.
>>> With brakes, it is one failed stop is worth a LOT more
>>> than cheap overall costs--in hind-sight.
>>>
>>> Darwin favors those who lack the fore-sight to have hind-sight.
>>> You can quote me.
>>>
>>> Richard
>>>
>>>
>