Yesterday I finally had some good weather, and installed my 6th gen Brakes.
I picked up red powder coated calipers and ceramic pads from Brakemotive76 for ~$136, and blank China rotors from Rockauto.com for ~$50 shipped. Total was ~$196.
After jacking the car up and placing it on jack stands, I hung the old calipers out of the way and removed the rest of the old brakes. I removed the dust shields and drilled the steering knuckles out from 12mm to 14mm.
NOTE!!
With 6th gen brakes the length of the new bolts is not critical. Because they protrude into the void behind the rotor anyway, they do not contact the rotor unless ridiculously long.
I took some measurements for those trying to piece this together without a donor vehicle.
The bolt size is M14x1.5. The knuckle ear thickness is 12mm, and the bracket is 26mm.
A M14X1.5X35 or 40 bolt, with a 10mm long shoulder would be ideal.
I had a 20mm shoulder so I had to stack three washers alternating lock, flat, lock, to take up the space. When I have some money later I will replace the bolts to eliminate the extra washers.
6th gen rotors are 1.6" larger than 4th gen rotors, allowing for more brake torque, or leverage. 6th gen calipers also have larger pistons, applying more PSI clamping force to the rotors, and larger pads allowing more friction. Finally, the larger, heavier rotors are able to absorb and dissipate more heat, reducing brake fade.
Pedal is a little softer with more pedal travel due to the larger piston, but braking force is definitely improved. Further bleeding may help with a firmer pedal.
Old rotor over top of new rotor.
I picked up red powder coated calipers and ceramic pads from Brakemotive76 for ~$136, and blank China rotors from Rockauto.com for ~$50 shipped. Total was ~$196.
After jacking the car up and placing it on jack stands, I hung the old calipers out of the way and removed the rest of the old brakes. I removed the dust shields and drilled the steering knuckles out from 12mm to 14mm.
NOTE!!
With 6th gen brakes the length of the new bolts is not critical. Because they protrude into the void behind the rotor anyway, they do not contact the rotor unless ridiculously long.
I took some measurements for those trying to piece this together without a donor vehicle.
The bolt size is M14x1.5. The knuckle ear thickness is 12mm, and the bracket is 26mm.
A M14X1.5X35 or 40 bolt, with a 10mm long shoulder would be ideal.
I had a 20mm shoulder so I had to stack three washers alternating lock, flat, lock, to take up the space. When I have some money later I will replace the bolts to eliminate the extra washers.
6th gen rotors are 1.6" larger than 4th gen rotors, allowing for more brake torque, or leverage. 6th gen calipers also have larger pistons, applying more PSI clamping force to the rotors, and larger pads allowing more friction. Finally, the larger, heavier rotors are able to absorb and dissipate more heat, reducing brake fade.
Pedal is a little softer with more pedal travel due to the larger piston, but braking force is definitely improved. Further bleeding may help with a firmer pedal.
Old rotor over top of new rotor.
