ok here is the deal, the wifes car has some issues, i need to fix them. where is a good cheap place to look online? you guys have firsthand experience?

i need brakes, pads and rotors, we got some from a company called ssbc that is advertised in all the custom car magazines, and is supposed to be a good company, but hte rotors after only a year have pretty noticeable cracks in them...
i was thinking about brembo oem blanks from tirerack? what pads? my wife doesnt drive as aggressively as she used to, but my kid is in the car a lot, and its a durango, so its heavy with a 4.7 v8

its a 2wd 2002 dodge durango [sport?] i think, not sure on model designation, but it does not have foldable/breakaway mirrors... its currently running 31x10.5x15s


a rock penetrated the a/c condensor, i imagine coolant leaked out, as it looked like smoke and there was hissing, spraying that i verified where the hole was. we need to replace it, new, oem, used? where? --- i am assuming since its an 02 it uses r134a, readily available @ vatozone, etc.... can i jsut replace the condenser and throw a can of a/c oil, and fill it up with r134a in a can? how much would i need?

 

On the a/c depending on the hole and how long it has been open if any mosture gets in it will destroy your compressor water and oil dont mix it doesnt take but the smallest bit you need to take it after you get it fixed and have it vacume pumped down and i would replace your fillters in it too. As far as brakes unless you plain on spending huge $$ I would go to local parts store and just get a good set of rotor and pads you get what you pay for and for a stock d The best would proble be dealer parts

 

ok so i was talking to a feind, and he said i should be fine as long as i replace the dryer and the condensor... does this sound right? he said i need to lube the orings with compressor oil, and put antiseize on the threads, and i should be good... then take it to a shop and have them do the vacuum thing and recharge it with r134a.... thats all right?

as for the brakes, we had ssbc and htey were suppsoed to be quality..... i have had good luck with brembos on my toyota, and i used them on my ranger too, and they didnt warp until recently, but i drive very hard... should i use them for the d as well? if i should use mopar, are there any places that sell performance mopar? or anything like that? any dealerships online that offer wholesale pricing to the public? i wont skimp on quality, but i need the most bang for the $

 

that is all i need right? drier and condensor, lube the o rings with compressor lube, antiseize the threads and then take it to a shop tobe vacuumed right?

 

ok on the brakes, just go to the auto store and buy a good set of pads and rotors, i think we use bendix, but im not sure, i drive almost the same truck as your wife (02 durango 4.7) only i have the tow package w/ the big mirrors, 4wd and all the bells and whistles, those brakes are fine, and the brakes in this truck are rather touchy, at least compared to the brakes in my dads 03 dak, so you should be fine w/ those

 

bump

 

we bought the compressor and the drier, but lost the drier... we went to an a/c shop, and they said our drier was fine, and charged it up... i replaced the condensor myself

we had the shop evacuate the system and recharge it and do a leak test... so its all good now

 

I am not sure about the A/C Problem, but I have had pretty good luck with the brake set rotors/pads (X4)I got at Advance last year, I am not sure of the Rotors but the pads were BENDIX and seem to be holding up, last inspection showed not even halfway down after 8.5 months and about 15k miles. I am getting ready to do another inspection this weekend, I will keep you posted. I had a minor manufacturing defect, it was weird one pad of one side (outboard drivers) had a high spot and wore a groove in the rotor after about two weeks. Advance honored the warranty, infact went above and beyond, replaced the pads and rotors for both front sides, no further issues after that. I think after about 20k+ miles, I am about due for least front pads.


If I am reading the post correctly you have a 02, so probably rear drums, they usually last quite a while. I would recommend AutoZone, based on previous good luck with my Jeep and they always reimbursed me under warranty for pads after bringing in the cores.

I might get A/Z pads this time, and hope for the best, but I don't want to push my luck. I would recommend wherever you get them, get the rotors and pads at the same place, but thats just my humble opinion.

Good luck

Steve