Maintenance time! Brake System.

Now that I've got the car back, things need to start moving pretty fast. I had the car teched last week, so it's got it's annual tech inspection for NASA TT (no waiting in line; ever). This week I was able to finally get it off the trailer and parked in the garage where I can begin the needed work. The pic (right) is from Monday in my garage. I've got a pretty long list of annual maintenance items including the brakes, semi-annual fluids, aero work, interior work, etc.

Last night I got the car up on jackstands, pulled the tires off, pulled the rotors off and pulled the calipers off. New parts going back in! I've done this stuff enough I have all the needed tools & wrenches memorized (is that sad?).  I'll toss in some comparison pics below.  First is the calipers I have been running compared to a slightly used (non-tracked) set I picked up that will be going back on. I'll then redo all the seals in the older set, clean them up and keep them around for spares. Thus is the circle of life!

 
Going back on are PowerSlot Cryo treated slotted and directionally veined front rotors. Whew. These are produced by stoptech and I've used them for awhile, although this is my first go-round with the Cryo treatment. I'm hoping the little extra scratch helps them last longer. I think I went through 3 sets of rotors last year.


Also on the slate are dropping in new Hawk DTC-60's brake pads and a full fluid flush with AMSOIL DOT4.  Probably by next week.

New Rotors & Pads!

The front calipers are ready to go back in; new seals and dustboots are in place.  Along with them, a new set of Hawk DTC60 pads and Powerslot rotors going in as well - and a good bleed/flush with fresh AMSoil DOT4 brake fluid. 

With this preemptive maintanance, we should be close to good for the rest of 2011 with the entire front & rear brake system.  Depending on the total # of track days, we might need another set of pads, but with the factory Brembo setup, those can be switched in very easily!  I like to plan ahead!

I think preemptive maintanance like this between events is what keeps the car on track - collecting data and getting faster at events!  Instead of on jackstands or the trailer early in the weekend...

Here's a pic of the driver's side put back together -->

Brembo Caliper Maintenance.

I had to pull the rotors & pads off last week as I was working on a big comparison test (coming soon). So I didn't stop there.

I thought about my schedule and I already have 6 days on track in 2011. I usually run 16-18 per year so I'm nearly 1/3 of the way complete! And since I skipped redoing the caliper seals this winter; I figure why not now! Yeah...  Better to take care of it now than have an issue during a track weekend or even worse; at Nationals in September!

I mean hell, the calipers were already unbolted - they have to be to get the rotors off. So I grabbed the 9/16" and loosened the brake lines on each side and tore into the calipers.  The Evo's stock brembo's are very easy to switch out pads, and not too hard to do the seals.

Wow, the joys of car maintenance!

Check out the calipers -->
The top is a nearly new stock red Brembo caliper. The lower is my RF caliper which has been discolored from high braking temps on the track! A true badge of honor!

Last night I switched in new front Hawk pads, new front rotors, switched in 1 new front caliper, switched out the tires and bled all the brakes with AMSOIL DOT4. Whew....