Brake Life - increased stopping

[VR4-Quest]

What is the typical pad/rotor life for the VX? I replaced the pads with ceramic ones (raybestos) around 50,000 miles. Now at 64,000, the brakes just dont bite at all like the used to. I had to apply a lot of pressure to the pedal, sometimes all the way to the floor. With the pads being new, is it simply that I need new rotors? The fluid and level are ok???

Thanks!

[Tone]

Could be either your pads are glazed or more likely the rubber brake lines have aged and are expanding when you step on the brakes. Joe Darlington offers some great braided stainless lines for our vehicles (covered in clear plastic) that made more difference on my brakes than new performance rotors and pads! Don't forget to order the brake bleeder valves that he offers that make brake bleeding a true one man job - they are one way valves that let air out when bleeding and then seal when you lift your foot.

[Chopper]

Who is Joe Darlington, Tone? I'm real interested in these brake upgrades.

[Cyrk]

http://www.darlington-offroad.com/generic9.html

I have a set of his Stainless Steel Braided Brakelines with some PowerSlot Rotors and upgrade pads... very happy with them.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/636000-636999/636823_24_full.jpg

[Tone]

http://www.darlington-offroad.com/category.html?UCIDs=1135292

[mbeach]

I'm a big fan of braided stainless steel brakelines. They've been installed on my last 5 vehicles.
The performance benefit is often not apparent because they are usually installed in tandem with new pads/rotors, but believe me when I say they provide great pedal feel (instant response) over the squishy stock rubber lines.

The ones offered above have the nice plastic coating which will prevent fraying as well as providing a measure of stealthiness -SS lines are frowned upon in some states during inspections.

As for the speed bleeders, I've had poor luck with a set of Russels -I just couldn't get them to work. It seems that the air would compress behind them, and they wouldn't let it out. They are rolling around my spare parts box now.
The manufacturer is not listed for those above, so I don't know if it's just Russel (or maybe me) who has the problem.

[Nazrat]

Matt @ Independent4x also sells upgraded brake lines. I've just installed a set on my Trooper (200k miles) and WOW. I have another set in the garage to go on the VX but they will have to wait until after the snow melts. (I did some work last night, but they are predicting snow again tomorrow, so they won't be put on until Feb at the earliest.

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?t=2843&highlight=brake+lines

The indy4x product page:
http://www.independent4x.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=839915%7C1109486&PRID=1221569

-Tad

[Chopper]

sez they're under construction, check back soon..... guess I'll check back soon. The price is certainly right. Thanks guys. Wayne