Ok i have been told that the front brakes on a blazer are really bad about going out but how often are you supposed to change them. Also is it normal that my front wheels are alaways covered in brake dust. Would more expensive brakes work better and not wear out as easy. Something else i noticed with my brakes is that sometimes when i stop in slick areas that brakes make a buzzing sound and the car just kind of slips forward it is weird.
I have a 2000 Blazer
4WD 3 button set up
Front discs rear Drums
235 75 R15 Tires all the way around
As you can see i have many questions any help would be great.

 

The mileage that you get out of your pads will vary greatly depending on the type that you get. The brake dust coating that you have is usually an indication of a cheap set of replacement pads.

For this truck if you are spending $19.95 for a set of brake pads then you will likely be replacing them again soon. Especially of you do a lot of city stop and go driving.
Personally I usually go with the ceramic lifetime warranty pads and a good set of rotors. Again if you are spending $25 for the cheap valucraft brand rotors then you will be replacing them again sooner then you would like.

The buzzing noise that you hear and possibly a slight pulsing feel from the brake pedal when it is slippery out is simply your anti-lock brake system (ABS) kicking in.
This is perfectly normal.

The ABS system allows you to keep better control while stopping in slippery conditions since the tires won't lock completely. This allows you to slow to a stop while still maintaining the ability to steer rather then just sliding forward in a straight line as you would without ABS brakes.

Always remember that you get what you pay for. If you want your truck to hang around for a long time then always buy good quality replacement parts.

 

The brake dust can come from cheap pads or very expensive pads. It depends on the material the pads are made of.
Ceramic pads are good for having minimal dust, generally longer life than other pads and they cause less wear on the rotors than many pads so they are a good choice for everyday driving.
If you are not getting any pulsating in the pedal under normal braking you may not need to replace the rotors unless they are too thin. If the pedal is pulsating or if the rotors are otherwise in bad shape you can have them turned at the auto store if there is enough material to do so.
If they need to be replaced you can buy the expensive rotors but the cheap rotors (often from China) have held up well on many vehicles I have used them on.

 

Ceramics are a good choice and don't worry about buying the Chinese rotors, there are no OEM rotors made in the USA or Canada available on the market today.

 

Ok so if buy the 60 dollar brake pads from auto zone the ceramic ones with the lifetime warranty does that mean if the brakes wear out again i can go get new ones for free or do they not come with that kind of warranty

 

They are FFFRRREEEEEEEE the second time around. I buy the cheep ones and end up changing them more than I like. but they also have a life time warranty.

 

You have to read the warranty. Many with a lifetime warranty are only for defects. I do know that with Wagner Thermoquiet ceramic pads they will replace them for free when they wear out.

 

regarding what Last C5 said about buying the cheap rotors, they're doomed to fail.

take a top quality rotor, and place it side by side with an offshore Chinese rotor, and the difference is definately noticable. the wieght is the first thing you'll feel (greater chance of heat stress/warpage). you'll also notice the finish of the top quality rotor is far above the 3rd line.

it all comes down to you and your driving habbits. if you drive like an old man, then economy brakes are gonna suit you just fine (try washing your truck a little more), but if you use your brakes (ie, are hard on them), then you'll be spending your money wisely buy paying for quality.

i've never bought anything but Raybestos brake products, and have never had an issue with brake dust or performance.

 

No, what I'm saying is that you will have to buy offshore rotors because there are no American/Canadian rotors available. Not at NAPA, the dealerships, or anywhere else until you move up to the two piece, $500 per corner set ups. If you know of anyone selling American rotors I would be very interested. I use up 10 to 12 rotors per year on my track car and would love to have a source for American rotors.

 

Last time i bought rotors i just went to auto zone and got the only set they had there they where like 75 bucks i think. Well i had the brakes replaced today i put on the best set i could afford right now, the ones right under the 60 dollar ones they have a lifetime warranty the guy at auto zone said that if they wear out i can just bring them in and they will replace them for FREE. So now that i have that i am pretty much guaranteed that they will not wear out again. That is just the kind of luck i have.