Teach me about Police Spec VY2 Brake Pad's please OB1!

[vk4akp]

OK. So I have 2x 2004 VY2 Commodore Wagons.

1st. Is an Executive Model but is Police Spec. (Ex QAS remote area fast response vehicle).
2nd. Is a Berlina.

So I have some questions about the brakes on both.

Do both have the same bolt on Disc's? Or are they different sizes etc?

I've read that the brake pads on the Police spec vehicles have a larger surface area for better braking? Does this mean they are a different pad fitting? Or is everything interchangeable? I bought some Bendix Ultimate Pad's on sale a while back but the part number was just for a standard Commodore.

If there is a difference in what fits what, I've also heard that there are after market Pol spec pads for the standard callipers but have the increased pad surface area?

I believe the Pol Spec callipers have extra pistons??

Any explanations quoting parts numbers etc if there is a difference would be helpful.

Any recommendation's on where to buy the better pad's at a good price also appreciated.
.-.-.

 

[Tonner Matt]

Police pads had a slightly larger friction material surface area than a standard factory fitted brake pad
The brake calipers on Police cars were the same as any other commodore factory caliper in the VT-VZ range

DB1344 are the pads with the larger friction material surface area when you compare them to the normal used replacement DB1331
Both the Bendix DB1344 and DB1331 will fit the standard VT-VZ calipers

As for part numbers:
Bendix Part Numbers
DB1344 Ultimate....Street Performance
DB1344SRT.........…Street Performance/track pad and are bloody expensive

Brakes Direct Part Numbers
DB1344A1RM.....Street/Light track use pad
DB1344HPX...…..Street Performance pad

 

[vk4akp]

OK. Thanks for all the good info. At least I now know everything is very compatible and interchangeable between the two cars and available parts.

I got these last time they had a sale. Everything was half price.
I asked for the best but I guess they didn't know any better at SuperCheap.

Next time there is a sale on I'll get the better ones.

Appreciate your help.

 

[lowandslow]

yeah they didn't sell you the best.

 

[vk4akp]

OK. Looking on eBay there is a guy selling Original GM Police Pads for $65 incl post. But only 4 sets left.

Part#
92111878

Is this a good choice?

Also the wheel shudders when breaking at highway speeds on the Berlina. Last owner had redone the suspension, rack tie rods & ends etc.
So assume Disc's are warped?

I see I can get Tora Discs for ~$60 a pair. Are they rubbish? Will they just warp again soon? Or will they do the job ok?

.-.-.

 

[losh1971]

Best to get a decent set of RDA's or DBA's. With RDA even the lower range are not a bad rotor and can be bought for about $40-$45 each. Basically all the cheaper rotors are Chinese, some are just better quality Chinese than others.

 

[vk4akp]

OK Thanks. I was hoping to do the brakes before Christmas. But maybe I'll wait.
I'm thinking Supercheap will most likely have a sale just after Christmas.
Last time I got the Bosch rotor's for half price.
.-.-.

 

[losh1971]

Bosch rotors are average at best. I have a set on the front and am looking forward to replacing them with the new RDAs i have in the shed. Bosch rotors are very soft. Where as the new RDAs i have a hardened. I paid around 100 bucks for the pair of slotted/dimpled. They are basically top of the range as far as Chinese rotors go. The next jump was almost 100 each for Aust made ones.

 

[vk4akp]

OK Interesting. I must admit I bought Bosch by brand name expecting them to be ok. That and they were on special half price.
They will go on the Executive Commodore Wagon eventually. It's my daily. Where as the Berlina Wagon was bought to be a toy to do up as a bit of a more fun weekend car. I hope to Top Swap Supercharge it eventually.
I would hope that the Bosch Disc's are at least better then the factory ones?
The originals may not even need replacing anyhow by the time I need to change pads.

Now you have me interested in the Slotted Dimpled RDA's for ~$100 a pair.
I have never understood what slotting and dimpling does for a disc. In my mind it would cause the pads to catch and wear out faster?

Got any good links on where to get these RDA's?
.-.-.

 

[losh1971]

Try Spares Box he has 20% off at the moment. I had a voucher so got them cheap. But even with just 20% off they will be a good deal.