What are the best shoes for a 97? I'm going to rebuild the rear brakes soon since they need to be done within a few months.

 

some might say Nikes?
but I personally prefer Sketchers or New Balance.

They give you great traction and comfort when working in your garage to replace your brakes.

 

Reebok if you have high arches.

Seriously, I'd go to Pep Boys and get some Bendix.

 

Do you know of any other place other than Pep Boys that sells them? That place doesn't exist here.

 

Doesn't really matter, just don't get the el cheapos wherever you go. If you can find Motorcraft pads, they're good, too.

 

Do you have any carquests by you? If not any parts store should sell Raybestos pads/shoes. I use them all the time at work with no probems and no noises at all. Try to get ceramics they make less dust and stop better and last longer.

 

Napa Ceramics: They are good but do not develop any more friction than good quality OEM linings

Performance Friction & Hawk: Good braking, increased friction but very dirty compared to OEM.

Recommendation: CarboTech Engineering lining, which I have used for about 15+ years and been very happy on multiple full size (V8) cars and trucks. This particular lining has a high friction co-efficient, excellent pedal feel, wear (typically 50,000 to 75,000 miles before replacement is required) and produces less dust than OEM linings. IIRR, I paid about $130 for my last set including shipping. They have a web site at www.ctbrakes.com, but I highly recommend speaking to them by phone for linings that would be best for your application at 877-899-5024 or 704-481-8500. With regards to rotors, I run Brembo OEM replacement rotors that are cryogenically treated making them almost as hard as stainless steel. For street use, slotted/drilled rotors are just “cheese-graters” for the brake pads IMHO, because unless you are involved in true racing conditions, the brake linings do not produce the gases which slotted/drilled rotors are designed to relive. In some cases, brake testing indicated reduce brake efficiency in street-based operations using slotted/drilled rotors when equal comparisons were made. The staff at carbo can speak to you as well regarding those options, but I am very satisfied with the performance & wear of these products.

I also highly recommend using 5.1 DOT (non-silicone) brake fluid. It possesses all the great performance qualities of 5.0 DOT (silicone) but without the negatives. The only issue is for those with custom paint jobs- 5.0 DOT (silicone) fluid will not harm the paint like “conventional” brake fluid will/can.

 

i just bought wagner thermo quiets for my '98