Powerstop Z23's, any good?

[bagelsjustbagels]

Hey all, just wanted to update this thread after my first attempted install.

The K2422 part # is for the 338 mm rotors, just a heads up. I tried to install and was getting a rubbing on the plate that sits between the rotor and the axle. As a result, I am now reordering the 319mm set which is part # K138. Its still all 4 rotors and 8 pads, but smaller in size.

I dont know if anyone else has had this issue, and if so, what did you do to resolve it? Did you have to bend or remove the plate, and if so, have you had any issues as a result? I didnt want to alter or modify the plate at all, so thats why I reordered the smaller size, and figured since Im not towing, and most of my braking offroad is "holding" anyway, I dont really need more surface area.

Anyway, hope I can save someone a headache. On the plus side, Amazon customer service is absolutely awesome. No run around, no questions asked, just reordered the proper part and theyre refunding me for the imporoper one on receipt.

But this mean what I ordered is for the Sport towing model then, correct?

 

[paraordnance]

Hey all, just wanted to update this thread after my first attempted install.

The K2422 part # is for the 338 mm rotors, just a heads up. I tried to install and was getting a rubbing on the plate that sits between the rotor and the axle. As a result, I am now reordering the 319mm set which is part # K138. Its still all 4 rotors and 8 pads, but smaller in size.

I dont know if anyone else has had this issue, and if so, what did you do to resolve it? Did you have to bend or remove the plate, and if so, have you had any issues as a result? I didnt want to alter or modify the plate at all, so thats why I reordered the smaller size, and figured since Im not towing, and most of my braking offroad is "holding" anyway, I dont really need more surface area.

Anyway, hope I can save someone a headache. On the plus side, Amazon customer service is absolutely awesome. No run around, no questions asked, just reordered the proper part and theyre refunding me for the imporoper one on receipt.

338 mm rotors are for WH stamped calipers. Its not the shield that makes the problem, its the caliper size and your wheels. I had 319 mm rotors, WG calipers and 17" wheels from factory. All I did is to swap for larger WH calipers (good time to do upgrade is when your original calipers seized), bent a shield back a little (5 min literally), and installed larger 338 mm rotors.

 

[Snacksquatch]

338 mm rotors are for WH stamped calipers. Its not the shield that makes the problem, its the caliper size and your wheels. I had 319 mm rotors, WG calipers and 17" wheels from factory. All I did is to swap for larger WH calipers (good time to do upgrade is when your original calipers seized), bent a shield back a little (5 min literally), and installed larger 338 mm rotors.

How would my wheel size be the issue though? The rotor rubs the plate without either the caiper or the wheel on it. Howd you bend yours back though? Ideally the bigger rotor would be good if I can bend it back relatively easily without any permanent damage. But it felt really sturdy when I tried it with pliers.

 

[paraordnance]

How would my wheel size be the issue though? The rotor rubs the plate without either the caiper or the wheel on it. Howd you bend yours back though? Ideally the bigger rotor would be good if I can bend it back relatively easily without any permanent damage. But it felt really sturdy when I tried it with pliers.

16 inch wheels will not clear larger WH calipers. The shields are so easy to bend back Im surprised you asking for more details. I just hit shields near the edges with rubber mallet couple times until they no longer touch the rotors. May be 2 minutes of work per side at most. Alternatively you can remove old shields and purchase bigger ones but I read its really time consuming because you have to remove the spindle.

 

[Snacksquatch]

Wow, that is easy. I was so nervous about screwing something up I didnt want to just start banging away...

Oh well, lessons learned either way. Thanks for the input Para!

 

[riceandpho]

I have used these before, I used the eBay brakemotive brand, it works ok. I did pair them up with ebc green 6000s pads. It worked but it was a dusty setup. When I swap to the yellow pads. It was even more dustier, it stop well to, but I had an uneven wear, so my pads the outer was wore faster than inner, could be from old fluid. After that I just swaped to stoptech slotted and hawk lts pads, best setup, also to dot 3 to 4 fluid. Haven't had uneven wear so far.

 

[t-man]

Bought these last summer....They were great until I went offroad with them. The holes fill up with dirt and literally destroy the pads! Then the pads don't have that little wear bar that squeals when your pads get low so I never knew until they were grinding metal on metal and destroyed the rotors. I just replaced my last one this last week.
If I was driving highway only, they would be great, but if you offroad at all then they aren't worth it.

 

[paraordnance]

Bought these last summer....They were great until I went offroad with them. The holes fill up with dirt and literally destroy the pads! Then the pads don't have that little wear bar that squeals when your pads get low so I never knew until they were grinding metal on metal and destroyed the rotors. I just replaced my last one this last week.
If I was driving highway only, they would be great, but if you offroad at all then they aren't worth it.

Interesting, thanks for heads up! My 4Runner is a pavement queen as I can't remember last time I was playing in mud, didn't know that drilled rotors can cause such an issue.

 

[t-man]

Interesting, thanks for heads up! My 4Runner is a pavement queen as I can't remember last time I was playing in mud, didn't know that drilled rotors can cause such an issue.

Ya I didn't know. Bit me in the ass big time. I had really uneven wear, and the dirt in the holes just chewed everything right up. Just stick with regular rotors now. Lol.

 

[Onefastchevy]

Drilled rotors are for sports cars and looks only. Better hot breaking, yes, but they actually reduce stopping power under normal driving conditions. There are many write ups on this on the web. As t-man said, Don't ever put drilled or slotted rotors on an off roader, even mild use.

 

[Snacksquatch]

Drilled rotors are for sports cars and looks only. Better hot breaking, yes, but they actually reduce stopping power under normal driving conditions. There are many write ups on this on the web. As t-man said, Don't ever put drilled or slotted rotors on an off roader, even mild use.

Well shit. I guess I'll see what happens, may end up being a terrible choice though given that. Or I'm going to need to hit the wash immediately after getting off the trail!

 

[Wile.E.Coyote]

This is a good read from a seemingly reputable source, though admittedly not 4x4 based and I guess they do have something to sell.

http://www.zeckhausen.com/How_to_select_brake_rotors.htm

Their highlights:

-Slotted or drilled rotors offer improved stop-to-stop performance and consistency over smooth rotors. Primarily, from venting gases and removing excess material between pad and rotor.
-Its a myth that "normal" performance is reduced with drilled rotors due to lower surface area.
-Interestingly, slotted AND drilled rotors don't offer benefits over just drilled rotors.
-Drilled rotors offer better wet braking performance.
-The disadvantages of slotted and drilled rotors are increased wear/decreased life, and the potential for cracking.

I'm biased because I have the Z23 rotors and pads and I love them. My "everyday/normal" braking is absolutely better than the stock brakes I replaced. Also, I tow a trailer so I might realize the benefits of slotted and drilled rotors more than a normal daily driver.

As far as mud in the holes causing abnormal wear, I can't speak to it because I've not had these in the mud, but I am going to Moab in March so I'll report back if I experience any issues.

 

[t-man]

This is a good read from a seemingly reputable source, though admittedly not 4x4 based and I guess they do have something to sell.

How to Select Brake rotors - Plain, Slotted, Drilled, Slotted & Drilled, 2-Piece Floating

Their highlights:

-Slotted or drilled rotors offer improved stop-to-stop performance and consistency over smooth rotors. Primarily, from venting gases and removing excess material between pad and rotor.
-Its a myth that "normal" performance is reduced with drilled rotors due to lower surface area.
-Interestingly, slotted AND drilled rotors don't offer benefits over just drilled rotors.
-Drilled rotors offer better wet braking performance.
-The disadvantages of slotted and drilled rotors are increased wear/decreased life, and the potential for cracking.

I'm biased because I have the Z23 rotors and pads and I love them. My "everyday/normal" braking is absolutely better than the stock brakes I replaced. Also, I tow a trailer so I might realize the benefits of slotted and drilled rotors more than a normal daily driver.

As far as mud in the holes causing abnormal wear, I can't speak to it because I've not had these in the mud, but I am going to Moab in March so I'll report back if I experience any issues.

Oh they were absolutely better on the pavement! I have the bigger brakes and it's hard to think of better but these definitely were. They just wore out extremely fast with how much I offroad.

 

[07V8]

I've had them and the Powerstop pads for 24 months and 35k - a fair amount of which is city. Still have over 8mm on all pads. I'm impressed with their stopping ability. A substantial improvement over stock.

 

[Snacksquatch]

Oh they were absolutely better on the pavement! I have the bigger brakes and it's hard to think of better but these definitely were. They just wore out extremely fast with how much I offroad.

Yeah, I think as long as I am dilligent about keeping them clean, I shouldnt have too much trouble. Just around town so far, I notice a large improvement in stopping and a big reduction in squealing early in the mornings when its still pretty chilly.

If I can get to next year with them, Ill be happy, and at that point I know now what to look out for.

Thanks for all of the advice and support youve all offered a noob like me!

 

[mightymax]

I get that many people have the issues with dirt, mud, etc from trailing, but anyone had any issues with snow or other winter conditions and the slotted rotors? :smow:

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

I get that many people have the issues with dirt, mud, etc from trailing, but anyone had any issues with snow or other winter conditions and the slotted rotors? :smow:

not with my experience with the powerstop pads and rotors. the ice storm we had last year didnt hamper my braking any, i did just ride my brakes down the hill my house in on to get some heat into them first though.

 

[paraordnance]

I get that many people have the issues with dirt, mud, etc from trailing, but anyone had any issues with snow or other winter conditions and the slotted rotors? :smow:

With my PowerStop Z23 slotted and drilled rotors & pads installed last summer they did incredibly well through harsh and snowy Canadian winter. They are the best rotors by far I had installed on this truck including OEM, NAPA and Raybestos I had been using in the past.

People who says that slotted and drilled rotors perform worse under standard driving conditions obviously don't have a clue what they talking about, they just spreading another unconfirmed myth and have nothing to back their claims with.
If you don't wheel in the mud and spend most of your time on pavement/ice/snow you will absolutely love them.

As added bonus they create almost zero dust as I can't even remember last time I cleaned my rims. Raybestos professional grade pads were the worst in this regard

 

[Jon S]

I know this is an old thread. I'm curious if anyone has any longevity information to provide on the drilled and slotted rotors.
I've got a '16 4 runner that has warped two sets of rotors and debating getting a set of these.
Thanks for any info you can provide,
Jon

 

[bagelsjustbagels]

I know this is an old thread. I'm curious if anyone has any longevity information to provide on the drilled and slotted rotors.
I've got a '16 4 runner that has warped two sets of rotors and debating getting a set of these.
Thanks for any info you can provide,
Jon

I've got 30k miles on mine and theyre holding up well. Get a little hot under heavy braking but I also just need to flush fluid.