Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Greetings all!

So I have a bit of a decision to make... I currently have roughly 3/16" left on my front pads. Rotors aren't grooved or anything, and the pads aren't squealing or anything so I don't think I've hit the wear indicators yet.

I have Akebono pads on order, and since the rotors are in decent shape I was simply going to have them turned for the new pads.

My question is, do I NEED to do this before the dragon? I've spoken to a few members that said I would use my brakes more on the way up to the dragon, than on the dragon. They said I would mainly be using the gearbox for controlling speed in the twisties, and to save the fresh brakes for after the dragon. If I went this route, I would most likely buy new slotted rotors to match.

Another side of me wants to do the fresh pads/ATE super-blue fluid before the dragon, simply in the name of being prepared. I'd rather have the brakes and not need them, than need them and not have them.

So, do I burn up what I have? Or do I "waste" my remaining pad to get a jump on preparedness, and risk glazing the new pads on the dragon?

I'm in the same boat regarding oil change... I'm due for the change (-800) but I almost want to get the hard driving at the dragon out of the way, then change the oil once I return and have clean oil for the upcoming winter months. On the flip side, I wouldn't mind having clean oil prior to keeping the revs high for extended periods on the dragon. If I was rich, I would change oil before AND after but that ain't happening.

Advice on both would be appreciated.

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

I would change the oil and filter before the GTG.
As for the brakes...I personally would wait til after the GTG for those with the amount of pad you say you still have.

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

I agree on the oil.

But with, as you report .187" on the pads from .450" new, I'd come prepared.
Thinner pads will heat faster, fade faster and lose heat slower. Slotted rotors will help stop better all around. You will use the gearbox to regulate speed for the most part, but having 100% brakes is a #1 safety precaution.
It's a looooong way down the hills. Especially once you're off the black stuff between the trees.;)

But, that's just me...

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Do the brakes and oil before the Dragon.........or, let Kim ride with me!!:D

Safety first, you know!!!:p

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Hi John, I think it depends on what you are looking for at the Dragon and other mountain roads. If it is a brisk tour thru then I would say wait on the brakes. However if you plan on testing the limits of your car and your driving skills then I would go with the the fresh pads and up grade the fluid to limit fade. John Book, Boilerxf, Franc and other n/a drivers do a great job keeping up with the higher hp cars in the twisties by holding speed deep in the straits then braking hard for an instant to scrub of just enough speed hit the apex and accel out hard. Hard on the brake system and it comes at you 318 times in a short period of time. Above all, know your limits, always stay in your lane, keep safe spacing with the cars you are running with and always watch for the bikers.

An interesting question, I hope you get a lot of opinions. Looking forward to meeting you at the Dragon

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Thanks buddy.

And thanks to everyone else that has responded thus far.

Oi change is a go, based on everyone's advice.

My wallet says "wait" but the "safety-first" within me wants to heed the advice of Max (regarding brakes). I don't plan on running the dragon too extreme. Kim will be riding, and the crazier I drive, the greener her face gets. I want her to return to another GTG in the future, not scare her to the point of her insisting to get a Taxi ride back home.

Even if I 'gently' brake, 318 turns (each way) is a lot. And I can't guarantee that I won't run the dragon by myself while Kim gets some R&R with the other ladies at the lodge.

So, it looks like I'm going to do my best to play it safe. It'll make things tight for a week or so, but that's just how it works. Hopefully the fender strake project gets delayed again LOL :cool:

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Great advice to all. Thumbs up.

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Making things tight for a week or so is a lot better than hitting the brakes that 318th time only to realize you have no pedal left because your fluid is boiling.

It is going to be in the 80s while we are there and brakes are one thing you do not want to chance it with. As Jim said, stab braking right before hard turns is the only way an NA can keep up, and while you will rely heavily on your tranny as well, you want the brakes to always be working 100%.

That way, if you really do want to hit it hard, trust me, you will, there will be no doubt in your mind that your machinery is in peak working order.

I am doing the coolant, rear diff, trans, oil, fuel filter, and a host of other things, I always spend more on my car right before the Dragon than any other time of the year. Molly agrees to ride with me, and I can get as crazy as I want, but the car has to be 110% ;)

Do it, the squirrels will thank you LOL

John

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

MsGump & I discussed new tires (Michelin all-seasons) for the Dragon just this morning. Mine has the orig Conti's, and the rears are looking a little bleak at 15K. I'm debating doing it now or holding off until Spring.

Rotex Golds with brake fluid flush done in July , oil catch can installed at the Cruise and fresh oil/filter a couple weeks ago. :cool:

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

So I take it you're coming to my house this weekend to do the brakes?

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

318 corners. :eek: I must get myself over there sometime.

If it were me, I'd change the brakes and fluid for sure. I did each time I visited the Nurburgring. Your trip will be spoilt if you had to take it easy due to worn pads. Plus it will play on your mind if you didn't, wondering, what if?

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Didn't think you would brake for anything but a LEO. Thats why I want you in front of me rather than behind. Speaking of LEO's, have you heard from John Book?

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Pads arrived this afternoon... so, yup. :p

Might as well sneak in the oil change while she's up on the stands. Have any green drip pans lying around?

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Jim I have not heard anything from John I sent him a PM but no word yet ,,I'll bet he's getting all his mods done , maybe he will chime in the next couple of days as we get closer to D day ,i havent see his son posting anything either .:confused:

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

No but I can go out and get one, then we can give it to Steve afterwards. :D

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

oil change , brakes and rotors if they show up.
power bleeder and all the tools are at my house. stop by and get them ill be on the river drinkin shine cookin and fishin!!
AND REMEMBER DONT LET NICK TOUCH ANY TOOLS WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION!!!:rolleyes:

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

I do not yet know Nick, but this still made me laugh pretty hard LOL ;)

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

Dude, you have not experienced humor until you have wrenched with Nick and Steve. It's a riot.

Re: Maintenance before Dragon... fresh brakes before or after?
 

John, trust us......Nick (aka Ruth) REQUIRES adult supervision.......CONTINUOUSLY. If you are in the vicinity, be prepared for your sides to ache.