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Brakes are one of the most important components of any vehicle. Bad brakes will increase stopping time, accidents, and even damage your wheels. While most standard brakes and rotors work well enough, if you want the best brakes, you'll have to consider a performance option. This is where PowerStop Performance comes into play.
PowerStop has been around since 1995, and the company has a reputation for producing premium brake kits. PowerStop Performance Brakes are designed to make brake system upgrades available to every car and truck on the road.
Read on to learn more about PowerStop performance brake kits to see if they're the right option for your vehicle.
What Are PowerStop Performance Brakes?
PowerStop Performance brake kits have all the necessary parts and hardware to upgrade your vehicle's braking system. The kit includes hardware, installation instructions, and anything else you need to get the job done.
PowerStop brakes are available for 98% of vehicles on the road, and they're known for being a high-performance option. In fact, they don't make a lot of dust or noise and use high-end components like carbon fiber and ceramic to optimize performance.
Also noteworthy is that PowerStop kits are made to be bolted right onto your vehicle. You just have to remove your old rotors, calipers, and pads to install the new brakes – you don't have to worry about adjusting the fitment or changing wheel sizes.
What Is Included In a PowerStop Brake Kit ?
Kits come with a handful of brake parts that will take your vehicle's brake system to the next level. Learn about some of the parts below.
Drilled and Slotted Rotors
High-performance brake kits from PowerStop come with drilled and slotted rotors that cool down the brake system better than traditional rotors. These slots guide heat away from the brakes as you're coming to a stop. While drilled and slotted rotors can be found from other brands, PowerStop enhances their rotors with a plating made with materials like zinc.
Powder-Coated Calipers
Calipers are another component that you'll find in some kits. To improve performance and increase longevity, PowerStop uses a high-heat powder coating that improves pad life and improves overall stopping power.
Brake Pads
You can't have a brake kit without brake pads, and PowerStop includes some of the best brake pads you can find in their performance brake kits. Instead of traditional brake pad materials that wear down after about 30,000 miles, PowerStop uses carbon fiber and ceramic. These brake pads are ideal for muscle cars, sports cars, and can even improve the performance of your daily driver.
Warranty
PowerStop brake kits have a warranty for peace of mind and satisfaction while driving. The warranty covers the brakes for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens sooner. So, if the brakes fail within this period, you can get the replacement parts you need without shelling out additional money.
PowerStop Brake Kit Installation Guide
The primary goal of a PowerStop Performance Brake Kit is to make installing high-performance brakes a breeze. You don't need to be a professional mechanic to get these brakes on your vehicle. We'll take you through simple steps to help you bolt on your PowerStop brake kit.
Remove Your Old Brakes
Since PowerStop provides you with all of the components you need to install brand-new brakes, the old brake system will have to go. This includes removing the rotor, caliper, and brake pads.
Start by removing the wheel. Then, use a wrench to remove the bolts securing the brake caliper to the bracket. From there, you can slide the caliper off the rotor. If you're installing a PowerStop kit that doesn't include a caliper, set the caliper off to the side and use something like a bungee cord to secure it. Otherwise, it will dangle from your brake lines, which can damage it.
Install the Rotor
The PowerStop rotor is made to fit specific vehicles, so as long as you have the right part, it will bolt right into place. All you have to do is slide the new PowerStop rotor onto the rotor hub.
Install the Caliper Bracket
After you install the new rotor, you can place the old caliper bracket back over the rotor and secure it with the original bolts. However, if you're using a new PowerStop caliper bracket, install it with the provided hardware. Thankfully, it's the same process – just install the new bracket over the rotor and bolt it into place.
Install the Brake Pads
Next, it's time to install the PowerStop brake pads. To do so, slide the brake pads into the caliper. If you can't get the caliper over the new brake pads, you'll have to adjust by compressing the caliper piston. Use a caliper tool or C-clamp to move the piston back into the brake caliper gently.
Install the Caliper
If you're using a new caliper, you'll have to install it. Calipers can be installed by placing the caliper over the rotor, connecting the brake hose or line, and securing it with mounting bolts. Make sure you torque the bolts to the specs provided by your manufacturer.
On the other hand, if you're using the same caliper, you can place it over the new rotor and secure it with the bolts you removed.
Bleed the Brakes
If you open the brake lines at any point in the installation process, you need to bleed the brakes before hitting the road. Bleeding the brakes is simple and can be done alone with a brake bleeder tool or with two people. First, open the bleeder valve and have an assistant press the brake pedal. Then, repeat this process until all the air bubbles come out of the system.
Always keep an eye on the brake fluid reservoir and make sure it's filled throughout the process.
Break in Your Brakes
Once the brake system is connected and your wheels are back on, it's time to break in the brake pads and rotors. This is one of the most important parts of the process because failing to do so can reduce the lifespan of the brakes. Breaking in the brakes can be done by following a few basic procedures. Always follow the included instructions with the brake pads.
In most cases, first complete five aggressive stops from 40 miles per hour to 10 miles per hour, and don't let the vehicle come to a stop during this time. Coming to a full stop can cause the hot pads to leave an imprint on the rotors.
Next, perform five moderate stops from 35 miles per hour to 5 miles per hour. This should be done rapidly, and don't give the brakes time to cool down. If you smell brake resin, that's a sign that you're doing it properly. From this point, you can drive normally but keep moving at highway speeds for a few miles to cool the brake system down.
As long as you follow our installation guide, you'll be back on the road in no time and with a new PowerStop Performance Brake Kit.
