Chevy Monte Carlo Brake Kit - Raybestos Brake System

The continual quest for better performance from our '70 Monte Carlo has led us to the braking system. Our ultimate goal is to swap on a set of large-diameter discs, front and back, but we know that not all of our readers can step up to this type of high-end system or want to replace their 15-inch wheels. As we have done in the past, we wanted to get performance numbers to see just how well our upgrades worked and let you decide if they are worth your hard-earned green.

We also wanted to provide you with an alternative performance braking system that should be well within the budget of anyone building a performance car. Our existing brakes were in good condition, but in order to make a later comparison as fair as possible, we wanted to start with new components.

As soon as we had all the old drum brake parts off and out of the way, we sprayed some water on the backing plates to prevent the brake dust from getting airborne. It's also a lot cheaper than brake cleaner and works really well. Once the backing plates were nice and wet, we took a stiff bristle brush, scrubbed them clean, and then washed them down again. We used a drip pan to help keep the shop floor clean.

As soon as we had all the old drum brake parts off and out of the way, we sprayed some wat

We contacted Raybestos, and they sent us their BRUTESTOP pieces to replace everything brake related, from the rubber hoses out. The disc brake pads were upgraded with their new Quiet Stop line featuring a new friction blend made from ceramic ingredients instead of the iron fibers and steel powders found in semi-metallic pads. These pads are 100 percent shimmed, slotted, and chamfered to provide ultra-quiet braking, low dusting, exceptional durability, and resistance to fade.

We took the Monte over to Jim Sleeper at Sleeper Suspension Development and used some shop space to do the install, which went off without a hitch; everything was a direct swap for the OEM parts. The new brakes feel great and have good pedal feedback.

Once we were ready to go out and get the numbers, we contacted the guys at Hotchkis Performance. Hotchkis had all ready tested our stock brakes, as well as our other suspension mods, so they were familiar with the car. During the final testing we were having a little trouble with the rear brakes locking up on a few stops, so we might have to try adjusting them a little more or look into an adjustable proportioning valve. But even so, we knocked off about 17 feet on average over our stock brakes which will keep our front bumper out of the back seat of the car in front of us if the need arises to bring the Monte to a sudden halt.

The best part is that all this performance can be yours for less that $700, and when you think about it, that's a small price to pay to ensure that you can safely harness the power that you've all ready built into the engine.

The best method we have found to break the brake lines loose is to use a flare nut wrench, giving the wrench a sharp hit with the palm of our hand. The flare nut fittings have a tendency to round off if you try to ease them loose with a slow pull. Once the lines were free, we installed the new wheel cylinders.
The best method we have found to break the brake lines loose is to use a flare nut wrench,
Before we installed the new shoes, we dabbed a little white grease on the contact points of the backing plates to help the shoes work smoothly. Be careful not to use too much.
Before we installed the new shoes, we dabbed a little white grease on the contact points o
We're not all that smart, so we find it easier to work on one side at a time so we can refer to the other side when we forget which way a spring goes. We then laid out and assembled the new parts on the floor before installing them on the backing plates. Remember the long shoe goes towards the rear.
We're not all that smart, so we find it easier to work on one side at a time so we can ref

When it comes time to install the springs, it helps to have the proper tools. It can be done with pliers and a screwdriver, but after sending a spring flying across the garage, we decided that buying the right tools is a small investment.
When it comes time to install the springs, it helps to have the proper tools. It can be do
The new drums were slipped on and the brake shoes' adjustment checked. You don't want them too tight, but a little drag is good. Our backing plates did not have windows to slip a screwdriver through to turn the adjusters, so we had to slide the drum off and on a few times 'till they felt right.
The new drums were slipped on and the brake shoes' adjustment checked. You don't want them
With the rear drums done, we moved up front to the discs. We removed everything from the dust shields out and then cleaned the old grease off the spindles.
With the rear drums done, we moved up front to the discs. We removed everything from the d

Before we installed the new cross-drilled and slotted rotors, we thoroughly greased the bearings and bearing races with high-temp grease. It's a messy job but a very important one.
Before we installed the new cross-drilled and slotted rotors, we thoroughly greased the be
New inner bearing seals were then installed in each rotor with a hammer and bushing driver. Using the right tool will prevent the seal from being pressed in too far.
New inner bearing seals were then installed in each rotor with a hammer and bushing driver
The rotors were then carefully slid onto the spindles, and the outer wheel bearings were installed. Make sure to install the rotors on the proper sides. The cross-drilled pattern flows away from the front of the car as if the wheel is spinning and it is trailing behind.
The rotors were then carefully slid onto the spindles, and the outer wheel bearings were i

The washers and castle nuts were tightened down while spinning the rotors. Once the rotors got some resistance, we stopped and backed the nut off to the nearest point we could install the cotter pins.
The washers and castle nuts were tightened down while spinning the rotors. Once the rotors
We then moved on to the calipers. It's important with the GM floating calipers that the outside brake pad fits snugly. We test-fit ours and then used a brass hammer to bend the tabs down a little until the pad stayed in place once installed.
We then moved on to the calipers. It's important with the GM floating calipers that the ou
The anti-squeak plates were then stuck to the pads, and the retaining clips were snapped in place on the inside pads.
The anti-squeak plates were then stuck to the pads, and the retaining clips were snapped i

The new rubber brake lines were installed onto the calipers with a brass washer on each side of the banjo fitting to prevent leaks.
The new rubber brake lines were installed onto the calipers with a brass washer on each si
The calipers were slid in place over the rotors, and the new retaining pins were lubed with the supplied graphite lubricant before they were installed. Once the pins were tight, we tested the calipers to make sure that they were free to slide back and forth smoothly.
The calipers were slid in place over the rotors, and the new retaining pins were lubed wit
The finished brake system looks better than the stock units and, more importantly, performs better.
The finished brake system looks better than the stock units and, more importantly, perform

Stock brakes 60-0 mph		Raybestos brakes
Stop Number	Distance (feet)	Stop Number	Distance (feet)
1	151	1	131
2	150	2	136
3	150	3	132
4	145	4	132
Average	149	Average	132.7

SOURCES
Raybestos Brakes 1307 W. 6th St. #141 Corona CA 91720	Hotchkis Performance 12035 Burke St., Ste. 13 Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 877-466-7655 www.hotchkis.net
Sleeper Suspension Development La Verne CA 909-392-8886