My 2020 Forte EX finally needs new brakes. I am at 75k, and I like to think since I brake gently and from far away, my pads and rotors have lasted this long. Is that long? I don't know. How long do pads and rotors usually last?
Well the left front rotor is occasionally making a squeaking/grinding noise when I drive. How do brakes make a noise while driving, while not pressing on the brakes? I understand that when pads are getting worn and you hear the squeaking when using the brakes, but if the caliper isn't being pressed against the rotor, how is it making noise? Is there something stuck in between the pad and rotor? perhaps sand? I notice sometimes other cars on the road make similar noises while driving.
My rotors are also warped. There's a noticeable vibration when braking slightly hard at higher speeds.
Like many other owners, I also feel like these brakes are underpowered. I have had the car since 1800 miles, how did my brakes warp? I have always braked gently. I also torque my lug nuts everytime the wheels come on or off, whether by me or at the dealership. I also drive in Miami, perhaps they overheated?
I recently learned how to do my own oil changes, and various other easy tasks like battery replacement.
I'd like to do my own brakes as well. Is it possible to replace rotors, calipers, and pads without draining the brake fluid?
I've read about many Kia owners installing brakes that are slightly larger than OEM brakes.
This sounds intriguing, and it raises many questions.
Since I drive in Miami, where the majority of the population seem to have a learning disability when it comes to the fundamentals of driving, I would like larger brakes. Down here you don't really need speed or horsepower, you need safety, stopping power. I drive for a living (30k - 35k miles a year) and would like larger, better brakes. Since I would be doing my own brakes, I'll save a lot of money on labor costs, perhaps I can put some of those savings towards brakes substantially better than OEM brakes.
I am thinking that if I have larger rotors, they will be less likely to warp, since the heat will have more rotor surface area to spread out over. Also, if I get larger rotors, and larger calipers (more pistons) it will take less effort to stop the car, therefore reducing the amount of heat created thru friction, right?
There are some clear benefits however, there are drawbacks as well.
Larger rotors and calipers mean extra weight. Is this a deal breaker? Will the extra weight reduce my cars performance? Will my engine have to work harder to get these larger rotors spinning from a stop? Will it have to work harder to keep them spinning? Does this mean higher RPMs or higher gas usage? I'm not sure. Perhaps larger rotors made from better materials, lighter materials, won't be much heavier to be of concern.
Will larger calipers even fit on a 2020 Kia Forte EX? Will the caliper hit the rim?
Also, what do I do with rear brakes? Am I also needing to upgrade rear brakes, with higher quality parts like the fronts? Or do I simply replace rears with regular OEM parts?
If I don't upgrade the rears, does it mean the fronts will have to work harder to bring the car to a stop, which means they will wear prematurely?
Perhaps if I'm upgrading fronts I should upgrade rears as well.
In some of the videos I'm watching these guys are also upgrading the brake lines.
While I do want better brakes, I also will be learning how to do this myself for the first time ever. I don't want to over complicate anything.
I hope I don't have to do anything with the master cylinder, I would also rather avoid bleeding the system, but perhaps if you're getting upgraded brakes it may be wise to put in fresh brake fluid?
There are so many thoughts and concerns to consider.
As it is, I will have to purchase a hydraulic lift, and also 4 stands.
Whether I get OEM rotors or larger rotors, I will get cryo treated rotors, to further prevent warping. It would be nice if the next set of rotors last the life of the car, perhaps over 100k miles. I will not be getting cross drilled or slotted rotors, as I am not convinced it will benefit me in any way. This is simply a daily driver, however some days I'll drive over 200 miles, some of it on highway, and some of it in bumper to bumper traffic on Miami's very hot highways. I've read the cross drilled and slotted rotors wear out brake pads quickly. In any case, I don't think I need them.
Here's one of the youtube videos I found that makes it seem easy.
And here's a video of my current squeaky brakes.
Thank you for your input!
Well the left front rotor is occasionally making a squeaking/grinding noise when I drive. How do brakes make a noise while driving, while not pressing on the brakes? I understand that when pads are getting worn and you hear the squeaking when using the brakes, but if the caliper isn't being pressed against the rotor, how is it making noise? Is there something stuck in between the pad and rotor? perhaps sand? I notice sometimes other cars on the road make similar noises while driving.
My rotors are also warped. There's a noticeable vibration when braking slightly hard at higher speeds.
Like many other owners, I also feel like these brakes are underpowered. I have had the car since 1800 miles, how did my brakes warp? I have always braked gently. I also torque my lug nuts everytime the wheels come on or off, whether by me or at the dealership. I also drive in Miami, perhaps they overheated?
I recently learned how to do my own oil changes, and various other easy tasks like battery replacement.
I'd like to do my own brakes as well. Is it possible to replace rotors, calipers, and pads without draining the brake fluid?
I've read about many Kia owners installing brakes that are slightly larger than OEM brakes.
This sounds intriguing, and it raises many questions.
Since I drive in Miami, where the majority of the population seem to have a learning disability when it comes to the fundamentals of driving, I would like larger brakes. Down here you don't really need speed or horsepower, you need safety, stopping power. I drive for a living (30k - 35k miles a year) and would like larger, better brakes. Since I would be doing my own brakes, I'll save a lot of money on labor costs, perhaps I can put some of those savings towards brakes substantially better than OEM brakes.
I am thinking that if I have larger rotors, they will be less likely to warp, since the heat will have more rotor surface area to spread out over. Also, if I get larger rotors, and larger calipers (more pistons) it will take less effort to stop the car, therefore reducing the amount of heat created thru friction, right?
There are some clear benefits however, there are drawbacks as well.
Larger rotors and calipers mean extra weight. Is this a deal breaker? Will the extra weight reduce my cars performance? Will my engine have to work harder to get these larger rotors spinning from a stop? Will it have to work harder to keep them spinning? Does this mean higher RPMs or higher gas usage? I'm not sure. Perhaps larger rotors made from better materials, lighter materials, won't be much heavier to be of concern.
Will larger calipers even fit on a 2020 Kia Forte EX? Will the caliper hit the rim?
Also, what do I do with rear brakes? Am I also needing to upgrade rear brakes, with higher quality parts like the fronts? Or do I simply replace rears with regular OEM parts?
If I don't upgrade the rears, does it mean the fronts will have to work harder to bring the car to a stop, which means they will wear prematurely?
Perhaps if I'm upgrading fronts I should upgrade rears as well.
In some of the videos I'm watching these guys are also upgrading the brake lines.
While I do want better brakes, I also will be learning how to do this myself for the first time ever. I don't want to over complicate anything.
I hope I don't have to do anything with the master cylinder, I would also rather avoid bleeding the system, but perhaps if you're getting upgraded brakes it may be wise to put in fresh brake fluid?
There are so many thoughts and concerns to consider.
As it is, I will have to purchase a hydraulic lift, and also 4 stands.
Whether I get OEM rotors or larger rotors, I will get cryo treated rotors, to further prevent warping. It would be nice if the next set of rotors last the life of the car, perhaps over 100k miles. I will not be getting cross drilled or slotted rotors, as I am not convinced it will benefit me in any way. This is simply a daily driver, however some days I'll drive over 200 miles, some of it on highway, and some of it in bumper to bumper traffic on Miami's very hot highways. I've read the cross drilled and slotted rotors wear out brake pads quickly. In any case, I don't think I need them.
Here's one of the youtube videos I found that makes it seem easy.
And here's a video of my current squeaky brakes.
Thank you for your input!
