Well, now that the longstanding problem with my car has been fixed!

I need to get new front brake pads and rotors.

Any suggestions for the 2002 SSEi...?

Semi-metallic or ceramic pads...?

How about these? Will they be good enough?

https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-...6_206126_25063

https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-...5_116848_16108

And rotors - 278mm or 303mm...?

https://www.autozone.com/brakes-and-...RA:BrakeRotors

Thanks!

Obviously, the more it costs, the better/longer they last.

lol, well, yeah...

Just wondered which pads everyone is using - ceramic (softer, quieter, less dust, etc.) - or the semi-metallic (harder, more sporty, hard/fast braking, etc.)

And why it lists two different sizes for the 2002 SSEi front rotors - 278mm or 303mm...

I found (on my 1997 LeSabre) the ceramic pads require some extra effort when cold, and they got noisy in 20,000 miles. Noisy like low growling sound as if they were metal to metal but had lots of thickness left.

Probably because non-SC Bonnevilles and LeSabres are on the same platform.

Thanks!

Turns out the 303mm (12") rotors are the right ones.

You're welcome!

Got me thinking . . . maybe I should upgrade to the larger rotors on mine.

Honestly it depends on how you drive..

For a daily driver I would go NAO (NON-ASBESTOS ORGANIC)
or Ceramic...

I've always used ceramic, but now use carbon fiber/ceramic because I take off fast and have to slow down a lot, so I don't want my rotors or pads getting really hot, plus I am not big on brake dust, so I went with a more expensive setup, worth it in my opinion though.

Some times I have to get down on the pedal more than I would if they were metallic though...
And in winter they are a bit slower to stop, I don't think they do as well in the cold as metallic pads would, the cold bite reluctance is noticeable, but I can still stop when I need to.


A decent read on understanding brakes..

https://www.remmenbrakes.com/choosin...ct-brake-pads/

Yeah, I drive pretty "normal" - so I went with the ceramics.