Brakes for a '96 C4

bz1mcr · 10-01-07, 03:13 PM

I would like to know what experience others have had with '96 C4 brakes. How many miles were driven on the original pads? Did you replace front and rear at the same time? When they were replaced were any new rotors needed? Calipers?

Background:
I have my '96 LT4 for sale. A prospective buyer is concerned about brake pads. The brakes are performing well and not making any noise which would indicate the pads are worn out. They are the OE brakes and the car has 56K miles. I am the second owner and bought the car with 50K on it. The inside front pads are the only ones I have looked at. They appear to have about 1/8 to 3/16 of pad remaining. It is hard to get a precise measure with the wheels on. The inside surface of the rotors appear to be in very good condition with no signs of streaking etc.

The new owner would be taking the car from the US into Canada. He says the brake pads are subject to inspection and he could be forced to get a brake job before being able to drive in Canada. I am willing to work with him but can use some advice from those who have experience with stock C4 brakes as used on the '96.

I am told the '96 brakes came with the J55 pads which were only available as an up grade befor '95. And, are expensive at the dealers.

My dealer quotes:
$24.95 for an inspection and estimate (can be applied to any work done).

Front pads installed with resurfaced rotors $382
Rear pads installed with resurfaced rotors $255

If I adjust the price to cover the cost of dealer installed Pads how likely am I to end up eating the cost of some new rotors or calipers?

What do you think guys?

jrzvette · 10-02-07, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bz1mcr

My dealer quotes:
$24.95 for an inspection and estimate (can be applied to any work done).

Front pads installed with resurfaced rotors $382
Rear pads installed with resurfaced rotors $255

If I adjust the price to cover the cost of dealer installed Pads how likely am I to end up eating the cost of some new rotors or calipers?

What do you think guys?

They're not called stealerships for nothing. Find a good independant mechanic in your area.

KOPBET · 10-02-07, 10:42 PM

Pads are VERY easy to install, and even at a dealer they are under $70/axle. Comes with new bolts too.

John Robinson · 10-03-07, 07:36 AM

If you are abel to do the job yourself then go to Advance Auto or some parts store and buy their midrange brakes. GM does not recommend turning the rotors (from my service manual)unless they are scored badly. Doing it yourself you probable could get buy for about $100.00.

90EXPVette · 10-04-07, 01:16 PM

Those prices are absolutely insane. Changing the front brake pads are about the easiest thing to do on the C4.

It sounds like you only need to replace the pads, very easy to do, basically remove the wheel, one bolt, swing the caliper out, remove the pads, depress the piston (so the pads will fit back over the rotor), rotate the caliper back down, install the bolt, tighten it and put the wheel back on.

In the seven years I've had C4 I've replaced the front once and the rear once.

compyelc4 · 10-04-07, 08:14 PM

I agree, totally, with JR and 90EXP.

I've never heard of pads being a deal-breaker, especially on a Vette. I'd tell the guy to walk.........buyer is either not serious, or he is playing with your emotions = $$.

Zo6 LVR · 10-16-07, 05:24 PM

I just replaced the brakes all arond on my 95 for under $100 $7.00 / rotor to turn them and $25/set of pads. Local Car Quest turned the rotors and bought the pads from Muskegon Brakes. Best brakes I've had on a c4 yet! Oh and I changed the fluid.

onedef92 · 10-17-07, 02:24 PM

C4 brakes are CAKE! Especially with the clamshell hood and "on-board" workbench (steamroller tires) to sit on while you're swapping them out.

Definitely DO NOT get raped by the stealership on this one..

jrzvette · 10-17-07, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onedef92

C4 brakes are CAKE! Especially with the clamshell hood and "on-board" workbench (steamroller tires) to sit on while you're swapping them out.

Definitely DO NOT get raped by the stealership on this one..

I'm just curious as to how you can do a brake job with the wheel still on the car?

Robertwav1 · 10-18-07, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrzvette

I'm just curious as to how you can do a brake job with the wheel still on the car?

I think he meant the wheel is off the car and he's using it as a seat with the side wall on the ground of course. I never thought of that, I'm always looking for something to sit on when doing brakes but everything is too high! Have to give that a try. Also, I used some "Rotex Gold Kevlar Pads" on another vehicle which really have hardly any brake dust at all. And from what I've found so far, they have great stopping power are very quiet and suppose to last a long time. Wheels on a crossfire were so bad from dust I had to do this. I would consider these for the vette since their available. "Brakeworld.com" sells them. A bit pricey but cut out the dust by 95%. Just a thought.

onedef92 · 10-18-07, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrzvette

I'm just curious as to how you can do a brake job with the wheel still on the car?

No, silly, you SIT on the removed tire while you're swapping the brake pads, rotors and other parts out.

That's what I meant by "on-board" workbench.

The brakes, alternators and serpentine belts are three of the easiest C4 parts to swap out, IMO....

Boeingdriver · 10-18-07, 01:55 PM

Background:
I have my '96 LT4 for sale. A prospective buyer is concerned about brake pads. The brakes are performing well and not making any noise which would indicate the pads are worn out. They are the OE brakes and the car has 56K miles. I am the second owner and bought the car with 50K on it. The inside front pads are the only ones I have looked at. They appear to have about 1/8 to 3/16 of pad remaining. It is hard to get a precise measure with the wheels on. The inside surface of the rotors appear to be in very good condition with no signs of streaking etc.

I'd find another buyer. Let me guess, this is his first Corvette, right?

The '96 LT4 is the epitome of the C4 model (along with CE and GS) in the opinion of many experts. If I were shopping for this model car, I wouldn't care if the brakes were missing completely as long as the rest of the car (engine, body, interior, suspension) was right.

Sight unseen, what are you asking for it? I'm interested.

jcdouglass · 10-18-07, 07:21 PM

Haynes repair manual
got the car? get one of these.
Look it up on pg. 9-4 for 1988 and later. It's a bunch of stuff that should be done.

tcxd40 · 10-19-07, 01:23 PM

Like most are saying easy to change pads. If the potential buyer has concerns with the pads what else is he concerned with? Sounds like someone just pulling your chain.

The J55 is the code for heavy duty brake system not the pads themselves.

This system was optional uptil '94 and standard for '95 and '96 if I recall correctly. This system includes the 13 inch rotor and caliper setup at the front wheels. The '96 Grand Sports use basically the same caliper. It is black with the CORVETTE name cast into the housing.

onedef92 · 10-24-07, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcxd40

Like most are saying easy to change pads. If the potential buyer has concerns with the pads what else is he concerned with? Sounds like someone just pulling your chain.

The J55 is the code for heavy duty brake system not the pads themselves.

This system was optional uptil '94 and standard for '95 and '96 if I recall correctly. This system includes the 13 inch rotor and caliper setup at the front wheels. The '96 Grand Sports use basically the same caliper. It is black with the CORVETTE name cast into the housing.

The buyer could also be Corvette savvy, knows a good deal when he sees it and is simply trying to goad the seller into lowering his offer.