BRAKES
CTS-V Brembo Front Brake Upgrade
Parts, fitment and installation checks for adapting CTS-V Brembo front calipers to compatible W-Body applications.
Technical Guide
CTS-V Brembo Front Brake Conversion
Upgrade the W-Body front brakes using 2004-2007 CTS-V four-piston Brembo calipers, 355 mm Mustang rotors, extended front hoses and the proper mounting hardware.
This guide covers verified parts, fitment, caliper centering, wheel clearance and the complete installation process.
Quick Specs
Before You Buy
This is a custom brake conversion, not a catalog direct-fit repair. Wheel diameter alone does not prove clearance. Spoke profile, barrel shape, offset, spacer thickness, tire size, caliper position, and stud engagement all matter.
- 18-inch wheels are generally recommended.
- The historical WBodyTech reference is approximately +32 mm offset with roughly 5-8 mm spoke clearance. Treat that as a data point, not a guarantee.
- The Mustang rotor is nominally 5×114.3. The W-Body hub is nominally 5×115. The rotor must slide over all five studs freely and sit flat on a clean hub.
- Do not force the rotor into place, side-load the studs, or hide poor fitment with excessive washer stacks.
- Brake hoses must clear at full left lock, straight ahead, and full right lock.
Parts
CTS-V Calipers
Qty 2
- Left
- GM 89047727
- Right
- GM 89047726
- Application
- 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V front
Used calipers need close inspection: boots, pistons, bleeders, mounting ears, hose threads, retaining pins, and anti-rattle spring.
355 mm Rotor
Qty 2
- Ford
- 7R3Z-1125-A
- Cross refs
- Centric 120.61089; Raybestos 680497R
- Approx
- 355 x 32 mm
Verify dimensions before using a substitute rotor.
Pads
Axle set
- FMSI
- D1001
- GM
- 19433360
- Hawk
- HB453F.585
- EBC
- DP31210C
D1001 is the useful pad-shape reference. Street cars usually want a street-performance pad, not an automatic track compound.
Mounting Sleeves
Qty 4
- McMaster
- 6679K16
- ID
- 12 mm
- OD
- 14 mm
- Length
- 15 mm
One sleeve per W-Body knuckle caliper mounting hole.
Caliper Bolts + Washers
Fitment
- Bolts
- GM 18060356, qty 4
- Replaces
- GM 18023646
- Washers
- 12 mm hardened flat, have about 8
Washers are for centering the fixed Brembo caliper. Do not assume both sides use the same stack.
Hoses + Banjo Hardware
Hydraulic
- Hoses
- ZZP / Goodridge longer front option, approx. 20.5″
- Banjo
- Dorman 14100, M10 x 1.0, qty 2
- Washers
- New copper washers, qty 4
Use two copper washers per caliper hose connection.
Complete Parts Reference
| Component | Reference | Qty | Technical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTS-V front caliper, left / driver | GM 89047727 | 1 | 2004-2007 CTS-V front Brembo. Bleeder must face upward. |
| CTS-V front caliper, right / passenger | GM 89047726 | 1 | 2004-2007 CTS-V front Brembo. Inspect used calipers before installing. |
| Front rotor | Ford 7R3Z-1125-A; Centric 120.61089; Raybestos 680497R | 2 | Approx. 355 mm diameter, 32 mm nominal thickness, 5×114.3. Must sit flat on 5×115 W-Body hub. |
| Brake pads | FMSI D1001; GM 19433360; Hawk HB453F.585; EBC DP31210C | 1 axle set | Choose compound based on street, autocross, or track use. |
| Extended front hoses | ZZPerformance / Goodridge W-Body stainless brake lines, longer front option | 1 kit | ZZP lists longer fronts at approximately 20.5 inches. |
| Mounting sleeves | McMaster-Carr 6679K16 | 4 | 12 mm ID x 14 mm OD x 15 mm long. |
| Caliper mounting bolts | GM 18060356, replaces GM 18023646 | 4 | Use proper high-strength automotive brake hardware. VERIFY FOR EXACT APPLICATION: torque must match the exact hardware and setup. |
| Alignment washers | 12 mm hardened flat washers | Have about 8 | Use only as needed to center each caliper over its rotor. |
| Banjo bolts | Dorman 14100 | 2 | Dorman lists M10 x 1.0 mm, 27.5 mm length. Verify thread engagement and sealing. |
| Copper sealing washers | New copper brake hose sealing washers | 4 | Two per banjo fitting. |
Tools
A flare-nut wrench is preferred for brake-line fittings because it grips more sides of the fitting than an open-end wrench and reduces the chance of rounding the nut.
Essential
- Floor jack
- Quality jack stands
- Wheel chocks
- Lug socket
- Ratchet/socket set
- Breaker bar
- Torque wrench
- Combination wrenches
- Safety glasses and gloves
Brake Service
- Flare-nut/brake-line wrenches
- Brake bleeder wrench
- Clear bleeding hose
- Catch bottle
- Brake cleaner
- Penetrating oil
- Wire brush
- Shop towels
- Drain pan
- Fresh brake fluid
Helpful / Optional
- Caliper hanger or mechanic’s wire
- Pressure bleeder
- Vacuum bleeder
- Piston spreader
- Digital caliper
- Thread pitch gauge
- Small pick
- Needle-nose pliers
- Screwdriver
Pre-Install Checklist
- Correct 04-07 CTS-V front calipers
- Left/right orientation confirmed
- Bleeders at the top
- Bleeders open before install
- Four sleeves available
- Bolts fit sleeves cleanly
- Pads and retaining hardware fit
- Rotors fit over studs freely
- Four copper washers available
- Enough fresh brake fluid
- Wheel clearance likely
- Used parts physically inspected
Installation
Stuck during the install?For confirmed fitment, corrections or completed installs, add your results to the forum thread.
Raise and Secure Vehicle
Park on a level surface, chock the rear wheels, loosen the front lug nuts, raise the front of the car, and support it with quality jack stands.
Remove Factory Brakes
Remove the wheels, factory calipers, pads, caliper brackets, and rotors. Hang any caliper still connected to a hose so the hose is not carrying the caliper’s weight.
Install Extended Hoses
Install the longer front brake hoses according to the hose manufacturer’s instructions. Keep the open hydraulic system clean and minimize the time fittings are open.
Install Mounting Sleeves
Install one 12 mm ID x 14 mm OD x 15 mm sleeve in each W-Body knuckle caliper mounting hole. Verify the sleeves sit squarely and that the mounting bolts pass through them cleanly.
Install Mustang Rotors
Slide the 355 mm rotor over the W-Body wheel studs. The rotor must pass over all five studs freely, must not bind, and must sit completely flat against the hub.
Install and Center Brembo Calipers
Critical Fitment Step
- Place the caliper over the rotor with the bleeder screws facing upward.
- Insert the correct mounting bolts through the caliper and sleeves.
- Use 12 mm hardened flat washers only as needed between the caliper and mounting surface to center the caliper over the rotor.
- Check each side individually. Manufacturing tolerances, rotor hats, knuckles, sleeves, and calipers can vary.
- Rotate the rotor and verify it clears the caliper body.
- Verify pads sit squarely and thread engagement is appropriate for the exact hardware stack.
Connect Brake Hoses
Connect each hose to the caliper with a banjo bolt and two new copper sealing washers.
Install Pads
Install the D1001-shape pads, retaining pins, and anti-rattle spring according to the caliper hardware design. Confirm the pads move freely and sit square to the rotor.
Check Hose Routing
With the wheels off, steer full left, straight ahead, and full right. The hose must not stretch, kink, fold sharply, rub the wheel or tire, touch the strut, touch the axle, or become pinched.
Bleed Calipers
Bleed the brakes using fresh fluid and the correct sequence for the vehicle. Fixed Brembo calipers can have multiple bleeders; bleed so trapped air can leave the upper fluid cavities.
Leak Check
Inspect banjo fittings, hard-line fittings, bleeders, hose crimps, and hose routing. Hold firm brake pressure and recheck before installing the wheels.
Wheel Clearance
Install the wheel and rotate it by hand. Check caliper face clearance, outer caliper corners, wheel spokes, inner barrel clearance, hose routing, and steering lock clearance.
Final Inspection
Confirm all hardware is tightened to the correct verified specification, rotors sit flat, calipers are centered, pads are retained, hoses clear, bleeders are closed, and the pedal is firm.
Road Test and Bedding
Start with a low-speed test in a safe area. Verify pedal feel, straight stopping, no pull, no grinding, no leaks, and no wheel/caliper contact. Follow the brake pad manufacturer’s bedding procedure for the exact pad compound.
Wheel Fitment
What to Check
- 18-inch or larger wheel diameter is generally recommended.
- Spoke profile and spoke pad thickness determine caliper face clearance.
- Inner barrel shape determines radial clearance around the caliper body.
- Offset alone is not enough to prove fitment.
- Spacer thickness changes stud engagement and wheel mounting safety.
Documented Reference
The historical WBodyTech note is approximately +32 mm offset with roughly 5-8 mm spoke clearance. Use it as a starting point for comparison, not as a guarantee for every wheel.
Confirmed fitments are valuable. Post wheel diameter, width, offset, tire size, spacer thickness, rotor, caliper, and photos in the forum thread.
FAQ
Will CTS-V Brembos bolt on?
Not as a factory-style direct bolt-on. The conversion uses sleeves, proper mounting bolts, centering washers as needed, 355 mm rotors, longer hoses, and careful wheel-clearance checks.
Which CTS-V calipers?
Use 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V front four-piston Brembo calipers: GM 89047727 left / driver and GM 89047726 right / passenger.
Which Mustang rotor?
The primary rotor reference is Ford 7R3Z-1125-A, with common cross-references Centric 120.61089 and Raybestos 680497R.
Why 5×114.3 on a 5×115 hub?
The Mustang rotor is nominally 5×114.3 and the W-Body hub is nominally 5×115. The rotor must slip over the studs without binding and sit flat on the hub. Do not force it.
Do I need 18-inch wheels?
18-inch wheels are generally recommended, but diameter alone is not enough. Spoke shape, barrel shape, offset, and spacer use decide actual clearance.
Which sleeves?
McMaster-Carr 6679K16, 12 mm ID x 14 mm OD x 15 mm long, quantity 4.
Why washers?
Hardened 12 mm flat washers can be used as alignment shims to center the fixed Brembo caliper over the rotor.
Same washer count both sides?
Not necessarily. Center each caliper individually and do not assume every car uses the same stack.
Which pads?
Use the D1001 pad family. References include GM 19433360, Hawk HB453F.585, and EBC DP31210C.
Which hoses?
The common choice is the ZZPerformance / Goodridge W-Body stainless brake line kit with the longer front option, listed at approximately 20.5 inches.
Why bleeders at the top?
Air rises in the caliper. If the bleeders are below the fluid cavity, trapped air can remain and the pedal may never bleed correctly.
Can G8 or Camaro Brembos be substituted?
Do not assume interchangeability. Other Brembo calipers may differ in mounting spacing, piston sizing, rotor offset, pad shape, hose connection, and wheel clearance. VERIFY FOR EXACT APPLICATION before substituting.
HELP BUILD THE W-BODY KNOWLEDGE BASE
Need help during the install? Join the WBodyTech Discord for live chat with other enthusiasts. When your setup is finished, post your results in the forum thread so wheel fitment, parts information, photos and troubleshooting remain searchable for the next W-Body owner.
Discord is best for live help. Forums keep the solution searchable.
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