Installed brembo brake rotors and ceramic pads

[Silvia2b]

I have been keeping my car in the garage for the last few weeks because the brake light would come on indicating that the fluid level was too low. I inspected the calipers and didn’t find them leaking and there haven’t been pools or even drops of fluid on the cement, so I knew it was time to replace the pads and or turn the rotors at my local machine shop.

When I removed the wheel and checked the pads the there was less than 1/8th ” left of the friction material, that is what I was suspected.

The last time I did my brakes the rotors were the OEM rotors and in poor shape ready for replacement, the pads were organic but probably factory OEM. I decided to use semi-metallic pads because they are inexpensive, and replaced the rotors. The rotors were difficult to find for the SE in a 5 lug every auto parts store (Schucks, Kenchts, Autozone) I went to had some in stock, then when I arrived I had them open the box and guess what? All were 4 lug! Then I ordered through a Napa auto parts store, they came twice but were for a 4 lug hub. Finally the correct one came and were installed. These rotors had some significant wear on them now due to the semi-metallic pads, they also created a lot of brake dust.

I was browsing through The Tire Rack website and found that they also supply brakes and suspension in addition to wheels and tires. The brembo replacements were not very expensive and I figured that Akebono ceramics would be a good brake pad without causing as much dust to accumulate on the wheels as the previous ones. There was shipping problem with UPS, due to the Thanksgiving holiday I guess, but the products still arrived in 10 days.

I got around to installing them yesterday. I was curious about a small metal clip I found wedged in the vents from the inside of the rotor bell.( see picture below) I wasn’t sure if it was intended to be there due to poor balance or if it was to hang a tag on the rotor. I just removed it. I figured if is not balanced I would feel while braking with them installed. So here is the final assembly. Does anybody know why that clip would be inserted in the vents?

[grimple1]

is it removeable? It looks like something someone would use to hang it up by.

I wouldn't think they'd balance a rotor with a clip like that.

[corn322]

yeah, looks like they hung the rotor for something.

does it have some kind of anti-corrosion plating?

[continental_drift]

aren't brembo's cadium plated or is that just some of them and not all?

[slipnfall]

I was told Brembo blanks were coated for rust prevention(by NOPIonline)... but mine rusted up about 3 weeks after installing them... kinda sucks because that was certainly a selling point.

[naed240sx]

I was told Brembo blanks were coated for rust prevention(by NOPIonline)... but mine rusted up about 3 weeks after installing them... kinda sucks because that was certainly a selling point.

Mine did the same thing. They look all crappy now.

[RB20DETodd]

Mine did the same thing. They look all crappy now.

Same here, haha, i put brembo blankes in the rear a week later they look worse than my stock rotors did rusted as hell VERY dissapointing, looks like crap cause the rust is like yellow

[FerretsCanDrift]

Mine didnt even last a week. After 2 days it rained and they looked old and rusty

[Red coupe]

mine had the same thing...Im saying its to balance them. nothing else really makes sense.

BTW its not a clip, its more like a metal band that wraps completely around the vein....

Mine rusted fast but who cares what your brake rotors look like? there for stopping a car not accessorizing...

Have you used the car since you removed the weight? I left mine on, and there were no problems with the balance of the rotor so Im guessing you will have a small vibration now at some speeds...

[BadMojo]

I was told Brembo blanks were coated for rust prevention(by NOPIonline)... but mine rusted up about 3 weeks after installing them... kinda sucks because that was certainly a selling point.

According to the Brembo website, only rotors with a part number ending in a "1" have an anti-corrosion coating.

As for the metal ring, I installed some Brembo blanks on my 4-lug 240SX last year, and they *did not* have that on the inside.

Why don't you call Tirerack and ask them? You could also try calling Brembo's North American office at 800-325-3994, but I'm not sure if they answer tech questions from consumers.

[Silvia2b]

I just removed it. I don't think it was important, It was more just curiosity, and only one had it.

Going on 2 weeks still no rust, and we get all kinds of moisture here. I was expecting them to rust already, after hearing members comments.

[Bronze MFP]

i left those clips in, if i remeber correctly. They may be used for balancing or something, i dont know. Nobody/nothing said to remove them, so i didnt.