I am gonna double the threads in this here lonely Braking System Section...

I am in a process of a brake job on my '97 STS. I've had the infamous pulsating brakes syndrome with a sinking brake pedal to boot. The rotors were still servicable, but I decided that the original ones would make a nice set of spares (after cuttin' em), so I purchased a new set w/ new ceramic pads. Now I have renewed brakes at each of the four corners and the pulsation is gone.

Next step is replacing the MC and while I am at it, change the brake fluid, and here comes my question: What type to get? The safest bet would be to buy AC-Delco DOT3 from a GM dealer, but I am thinking Valvoline SynPower which has a bit better boiling point and water absorption characteristics and I can get it from AdvanceAuto (Partsamerica). On the bottle it says it is compatible with DOT3 and DOT4 types, so I am guessing it's likely DOT4 (if it was DOT5.1, it would be a lot more expensive).

Do y'all have any experience with long term usage of DOT4 brake fluid in your machines? It is the same as DOT3 with added chemicals that improve temperature and hygroscopic behavior. These chemicals might adversely affect the rubber components. Do they? Am I overly cautious? Please, tell me about your experience, the good, the bad and the ugly. Thanks!

several Allanté owners have switched to DOT-4 with no change
of performance. however, they aquired the properties that you elude to above.
IMO, do it. but still change it every TWO years, wheterh DOT-3 or DOT-4.

as to ceramic pads .... why?
unless you race it, you will more likely see less performance, not more
you will also see more rotor wear, much more.

ceramics dont do well until they get hot.
while they are cold, they dont stop the car very well.

new rotors? IMO, an excellent decission .


lastly, you will find both synthetic and regular fluids on the shelves .
IMO, whatever the car had out of the factory,
when it comes to synthetic or regular,
dont expose the seals to a different base compound ..

just IMO ...

I am not a fan of ceramic pads for daily driver, the pads WILL last longer but the new rotors you just bought won't last as long as your takeoffs. IMO

Stealth and G.A.R.Y., thank you for your response!
I've had Raybestos QS pads on before. Aren't those ceramic as well? They were wearing out at a "normal" rate with no alarming rotor wear. The only reason I went for ceramic (Akebono) pads because they are said to be quiet and low on brake dust, which seem to be the case.

Stealth, I am mulling over what you've said about synthetic vs. plain, and I think my '97 came with plain, so I might as well stick with that.

Definately low on brake dust, keeps the rims pretty.!

the reason there is no dust is cuz there is more wear on the IRON rotors from
ceramic contact as compared with the standard "organic" pulp pads.

iron particles being heavy, fall off onto the highway?

My trusted mechanic of 15 or so years tells me, he recommends ceramic pads with cheap rotors for all the reasons noted.