Complete brake service on Saturn Ion.

[atikovi]

I just replaced the subframe and while I had the car up on stands, I figured I will do the brakes as well. Pads and shoes were about 50% and the rotors and drums had plenty of meat left but were ugly with rust. The aluminum wheels are very clean so I didn't want to see rusty parts behind them ruining the look.

Raybestos coated rotors,

Raybestos Element 3 pads,

Started on the rear brakes and got one side finished. These have the single "W" hold down spring which is a pain to work with, and the parking brake lever spring is even worse. Yes I have the tools. Will get some picks after finishing the other side tomorrow.

 

[eljefino]

This is going to be the nicest saturn out there.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Wow those pads are GH!

Did you get coated drums too?

 

[atikovi]

Did you get coated drums too?

No, I'll paint them myself. Raybestos doesn't sell them.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

No, I'll paint them myself. Raybestos doesn't sell them.

Powerstop and Wagner have coated drums for your Ion

Also, Bendix makes pre-assembled shoes for that car

 

[atikovi]

Wanted to get all the parts from one manufacturer. Pads, rotors, shoes, drums, hardware.

 

[dishdude]

Wanted to get all the parts from one manufacturer. Pads, rotors, shoes, drums, hardware.

Why?

 

[Deleted member 89374]

Why?

Due to cost.

 

[atikovi]

Constancy. Symmetry, Uniformity. Feng shui. More likely to match and fit better together. I think it's tacky when people get all different brands of parts for the same job. Wagner rotors, Bosch pads, Bendix drums, Power Stop shoes, Raybestos hardware. It takes a bit more work rounding them up but is worth it to me. It's kinda like having a kitchen with a white refrigerator, stainless oven, avocado stove, orange dishwasher, etc.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Constancy. Symmetry, Uniformity. Feng shui. More likely to match and fit better together. I think it's tacky when people get all different brands of parts for the same job. Wagner rotors, Bosch pads, Bendix drums, Power Stop shoes, Raybestos hardware. It takes a bit more work rounding them up but is worth it to me. It's kinda like having a kitchen with a white refrigerator, stainless oven, avocado stove, orange dishwasher, etc.

but in this case, the pre-assembled shoes would've come in handy. The W thing done for you

You could've finished the job today instead of putting it off

 

[CharBaby]

I'd like to see the whole car.

 

[atikovi]

but in this case, the pre-assembled shoes would've come in handy. The W thing done for you

You could've finished the job today instead of putting it off

Still have to attach the parking brake cable which is harder to deal with than that spring, and not paying $80 for that vs $40 for this set of shoes and hardware.

 

[atikovi]

I'd like to see the whole car.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

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That green is an awesome color

 

[JTK]

Looks clean!

I haven't seen one of those with the mini rear doors in ages. Were you able to get a new replacement subframe?

 

[Trav]

That green is an awesome color

Vomit green.

 

[atikovi]

Were you able to get a new replacement subframe?

Yea, a few weeks ago at a Virginia Pick and Pull. Looks like it came off a 3 year old car it's so clean.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Vomit green.

Green is awesome

Better than the stupid boring silver and gray that most cars come in now

 

[JustN89]

Green is awesome

Better than the stupid boring silver and gray that most cars come in now

I agree, green is an awesome color and honestly quite hard for a manufacturer to mess up. Saturn/GM messed up this color though. I agree with @Trav, it looks like vomit.

 

[The Critic]

Constancy. Symmetry, Uniformity. Feng shui. More likely to match and fit better together. I think it's tacky when people get all different brands of parts for the same job. Wagner rotors, Bosch pads, Bendix drums, Power Stop shoes, Raybestos hardware. It takes a bit more work rounding them up but is worth it to me. It's kinda like having a kitchen with a white refrigerator, stainless oven, avocado stove, orange dishwasher, etc.

You are a strange man:

Different brand tires right and left side.

For my 05 Jetta that's been sitting the last 8 years, the fronts were pretty worn so I found these Hankooks for $30/pair. Then, when checking the brakes a few days ago, I see the Michelin's on the rear with excellent tread have lots of age cracks. 8 years since I got the car and who knows...

bobistheoilguy.com