C2 brakes, GM pads and hoses

[Joe R.]

I'm doing a complete brake rebuild of my 67 brake system. I've ordered most of my parts from Vette Brakes and Muskegon, but I held off on the brake pads and the rubber hoses.

For the pads, I'd like to get the "best" organic pads for light duty pleasure driving. Previous posts have suggested the GM 18028641 pads, but I note that in a May 12, 2003 posting Joe Lucia said he thought the 18039837 pads might be better. Does anyone have comments on which of these is better, and why?

Regarding the rubber hoses, I'm surprised at the low cost of the replacement hoses offered by the major Corvette parts suppliers (about $12 each). For such a critical component, I'm tempted to bite the bullet and buy the current GM service parts. Am I being paranoid here?

Joe Randolph

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 brakes, GM pads and hoses

Joe-----

First off, forget I ever said anything about GM #18039837. That was an error that somehow crept into the GM parts system and has since been corrected. You don't want the 18039837 brake pads unless you happen to want pads for a Ford truck. I had been led to believe that the 18039837 were a "premium organic" pad for 65-82 Corvettes. They're not, though.

The available GM pads are GM #18028641 and GM #18037548. The 18028641 is a non-asbestos GM OEM replacement pad and is an organic compound. That's what I recommend for most applications. The 18037548 are semi-metallic pads. I don't recommend or use them, but they're available if you want them.

As far as the brake hoses go, I think that the aftermarket hoses are fine. These are DOT parts, so you have that protection. Plus, for parts like these, you have significant liability issues "built into the equation". It's very unlikley that you're going to get a really inferior piece. However, the GM parts are available if you wish:

front hoses----GM #357793----GM list=$39.23/each

rear hoses-----GM #357794----GM list=$30.16/each

[Joe L.]

Addendum

Joe-----

By the way, the brake hose part numbers that I provided are NOT the original parts used for 65-74 Corvettes. These parts were first used in PRODUCTION for the 1975 model year and about that time became the SERVICE hoses for 65-74 Corvettes, too. They're 100% functional on the earlier models, are the same length, and will fit perfectly. However, the crimps on the end fittings are different as are the hose "stripe" and markings, also.