I've read about many problems here and elsewhere about "brake pulsating". Everyone says to use heavy duty rotors. The stock ones are junk. But no one says which ones to use. This is what I have found out so far.

Replaced the front brakes rotors and pads with Autozone Duralast (the gold brand") and have not had any more problems after 20,000 miles since it was done. I also did the rear brake rotors/pads at the same time. Didn't bother to have the rotors resurfaced just got new ones. The whole thing cost roughly $250.00. Cheapest shop I could find at the time was over $600.00 for all brakes. I'm just a basic DIYER and if I can do it anyone can. Here are a few issues you may run into:

Front brakes have a torx screw that holds the rotors on that will have to be removed.

Back brakes will require a special tool that Harbor freight sells to push that piston in so you can get the new pads in. Can't use a regular Clamp like the fronts.

So far no problems...

 

What year is your van ?? 5 bolt or 6 bolt rims ?? How many miles on your van ??

Sorry for all the questions but my "Crystal Ball" is in for service ...

 

2005. 5 bolt pattern. 80,000 miles now.

 

Years ago I had heard that you could damage some cars with ABS if you pushed the pistons back in, you were supposed to open the bleeds instead. True or just hype?

ISZ

 

Found a coupon for a website called discbrakepads.net (brakesale-0930-2010) and they only sell Lomandi Brake Pads. I was curious if anyone has used them before? Are they actually low dust? I’ve been cleaning my wheels everyday with my raybestos’s and they’ve been quite loud as well. Disappointing considering what I paid for them...Anyone use lomandi brake pads before?
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http://www.import-car.com/Article/70...r_service.aspx
should answer your questions

 

brakes pulsation is a regular issue with north anerican vehicles. I just hit the 30000 kilometers mark on my 2009 uplander and it is starting to pulsate. I am surprise that I went so far without problems because I started to have the same problems with my 2003 impala at 13000 kilometers. I am going to the dealer tuesday for a warranty claim on this issue. My son has a 2003 echo and went over 80000 kilometers before he changed his brakes rotore.

 

On a 2005 Uplander, 98,000km [58,000mi] replaced all original brake pads with NAPA Auto parts. It got rid of the squeaking noisy brakes that were typical of when I drove the van new off the dealership lot. Total cost including labour to replace the pads was about $350.00 At 142,000km [85,000mi] replaced the front rotors with after market product, Raybestos rotors. Total cost including labor was $400.00. Cost of the rotors were $138.00 each. There was a modulation/movement of the steering wheel when braking for about a 3 week period prior to changing the rotors. I still have 60% wear left on the brake pads at the time the rotors were changed out. After each brake repair, the brake performance of my van has been very good throughout that time period. I live in Alberta, Canada.

 

Update to my visit at the dealer for my brakes pulsation. No question asked; they replaced my rotors with new ones. I was sure that they would try to turn them on the machine but no. I was very surprised of this decision. Bravo GM