Hello all! New member. I was hoping for some advice on upgrading the brakes on my 2005 X-Type 3.0L. It has original rotors and calipers right now, and they work decently. I have a little pulsation when I stop due to slight warp on the original equipment. I am not impressed with the stopping power of the car, and would like to make it a little better. Do drilled, or slotted, or drilled and slotted rotors actually do anything? I am not looking for a major project, and would like to keep the cost low. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you!
Kyle

 

I always buy blank rotors and quality pads. I used Akebono ceramics on the S-Type with Raybesto blank rotors. Plenty strong and very quiet

 

Thank you very much. I will price those out for my car. Do you feel like it was an improvement over stock?

 

Also, as I look at the Raybesto rotors, I see like 5-7 different types. Professional Grade, Performance Grade, ect... pretty significant price differences. Do you have a recommendation?

 

Changed mine recently in three parts to see what differences they made, so did brake fluid and hoses (braided) first, then rear discs and pads, then front discs and pads.

Overall, the best single improvement to braking was from the brake fluid and brake hoses change

 

Really? Hoses and fluid? Forgive me for not understanding, but how does that make a difference mechanically. Is the fluid more viscus? Do the hoses deliver it faster? Or with greater pressure? I don't really understand brakes all that well.

Thanks.

 

" braided brake lines are subject to less of a bulge when pressure is placed on them. In a braking situation, brake lines bulge under pressure. Less bulge is better than more, because it helps to retain the integrity of the line "

The Advantages of Using Braided Brake Lines | DoItYourself.com

" After only a year of service, the brake fluid in the average vehicle may contain as much as two percent water. After 18 months, the level of contamination can be as high as three percent. And after several years of service, it is not unusual to find brake fluid that contains as much as seven to eight percent water "

" DOT 4 fluid, which has a higher minimum boiling temperature requirement (446 degrees F dry and 311 degrees wet) soaks up moisture at a slower rate but suffers an even sharper drop in boiling temperature as moisture accumulates. Three percent water will lower the boiling point as much as 50% "

Why Change Brake Fluid

 

I am one of those that did the cross drilled/slotted rotors with ceramic pads. I liked the improved braking I got. If I slam on the brakes, I am waiting to hear the front bumper hit the road because the nose has been buried that deep. If it is on the seat, it won't be after a good braking. I got one of the $200 kits off of e-bay and have been very happy with them.

 

Santer, thank you very much for explaining that to me. What would it cost me to the change from regular lines to braided lines. I'm a medical student, so I don't have time to do it myself...so what do you think it would cost with parts and labor?

Thermo, do you remember what kit it was offhand? There are like 30-40 different choices. Did it require any special work, or just replacement of rotors and pads?

Thanks to all of you for your help!
Kyle

 

I also did the drilled/slotted with ceramic pads from eBay. They've been on the car almost two years and I'm very happy. Great stopping power and little noise.

 

They felt stronger and we're much quieter. The wheels stay much cleaner now. The Rotors I used were model #66841R for the front and 66840R for the rears.

I think the eBay kit everyone is referring to is BrakeMotive. I know a guy that had them on a Subaru WRX and loved them.

 

score another one for the Ebay slotted rotors and ceramic pads.
going on 2 years and no complaints yet.

 

Yep. BrakeMotive...drilled and slotted and zinc plated......great value at around $150 for 4 rotors and ceramic pads. Put them on our 2006 Solara SLE easily as good as, and I'm now thinking way better, than the originals. Cannot wait to get a set on the X...I agree as supplied the X type brakes seem somewhat lacking...at least on mine.

Rob.
2006 X Type Sport Wagon
1987 XJ6 Daily driver.

 

IIRC I went with Akebono pads and Centric rotors on the X. However I have since gone with Power Stop rotors and pads like these POWER STOP Part # KOE1375 Autospecialty; Incl. 11.81" Front & 11.02" Rear OE Replacement Rotors w/Z16 Ceramic Scorched Pads
from RockAuto on both my Lexus vehicles and have been happy with performance and low dust.

 

Not sure of US workshop prices

As to changing the lines / hoses, they aren't essential if your existing ones are in good condition.

If you can get the brake fluid changed for a reasonable cost you may notice some improvement then

 

Just put on Callahan blanks and Powerstop ceramic pads, about $110 delivered for the full set. I've always had good performance from these guys.


Changed the fluid a few days back, lab said 1.965% H20 and more than a trace of crud.


Not a surprise, car apparently had a broken reservoir cap long before I got it.


When I have the extra few bucks, I will be swapping to braided line (I even run them on the minivan!) and flushing the brake lines again to clean up any residual junk.

 

I'm just glad someone made Callahan brake parts in honor of Tommy Boy.

 

I laugh about that every time I order them!

 

Kyle, I got the Brakemotive kit. I have finally had to replace the rear pads and that was only because I installed the pads wrong and they wore at a funny angle. Had I not done that, I would have gotten 90K miles out of those pads easy. As it is, I got 60K miles out of them with lots of meat left on the one side.

 

+1 for brake motive. Doing the braided lines and fluid flush next month.