Best Brake Pads?

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Any recommendations on the best brake pads to use (front) mteallic, or semi-metallic, brand, etc. ?
I finally found that rattling /thump in the passenger side floorboard... it seems to be the right front disc brake going out(loose pad?). It's squealing now, I don't have long before it gouges the rotor. Only 32K on the truck... gimme some of them good 'ol Ford brakes !


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Tom
GLTDR B. A. D. Boys
www.lubedealers.com/meers.html

 

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Briar, To speak of those "good ol'ford" brakes, My other half had an exploder and it had the floorboard thump/rattle and it was a cracked front brake rotor . Don't know if this is your problem but i'd definitly check it out since you are installing brakes anyway. As for brand I personally like performance friction brand pads I've got a set on my ram and the chevy and haven't had any problems and best of all no squeel. Just my 2 cents

[This message has been edited by maint. man (edited 01-08-2001). ]

 

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Brian, Get yourself a set of Raybestos Super Stop brake pads. They are severe duty fleet pads. I used them last brake service, and after approx. 10000 miles have hardly any wear. I only got about 18,000 miles from my original pads. Then I used Performance Friction pads. While they stopped excellent they only lasted 20,000 miles, and yes I adjust my rear brakes on a regular basis. Raybestos also makes Super Stop rear brake shoes. -Glen

 

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I would like to express an opinoin of mine when discussing pads/shoes.

Up front, the harder the pad the longer the life of the pad, right? Also, IMO, the harder the pad the shorter the life of the rotor, right? For me I would much rather replace a less expensive pad more often (say 15,000 miles) than replace a more expensive pad less often (say 30,000) and also have to replace the rotors at that time. But the key here is to find a softer pad that doesn't comprimise stopping ability. I too think the Raybestos pads are excellent in this situation.

I don't care about lifetime warranty. The NAPA lifetime pads were so abrasive (as compared to their two year pads) I could have shaved with them. Also it has been my experience that lifetime pads squeak more often.

Just my experiences.
Ryan

 

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Briar, I have had wonderful luck with Performance Friction pads... got them at AutoZone. No rotor wear, pads seem to live decent life, waaaaay better than stock! The trick to pad and rotor long-life is this: After a stop from either high speed, or while pulling a load... the rotors are gonna get very, very hot. By holding your foot on the brake pedal, the pads stay clamped onto the rotor, right? This draws all the heat to that specific spot, warping the rotor and glazing the pad! At the stop sign, get into neutral and get you foot off the pedal... make this a habit, and watch your brake life get longer!

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

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Generally speaking - The faster the pad wears the better it stops and is easier on the rotor, EXCEPT when it's wet... Racing pads have no metal unless they are for endurance or wet running. They stop 10 times better, but wear very fast.

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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

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For the most part, I agree with Cooker, except for one thing. the Preformance Friction Carbon Matalic pads even say in the directions "if you cut the rotors the first time, and never wear the pads metal to metal, you may never have to cut your rotors again!"
I have 78K on the truck, on my 2nd pair of PFCM pads and still have never cut the rotors (I just sand them before doing a brake job). Look as good as new with no runout. And the PFCM pads stop better then stock (by far) only cost $35. 00 and have a life time warrantee! I only experence brake pull when the pads are almost shot.
I don't think there is any choice except Performance Friction Carbon Matalic, at an AutoZone near you.

Originally posted by Cooker:
I would like to express an opinoin of mine when discussing pads/shoes.

Up front, the harder the pad the longer the life of the pad, right? Also, IMO, the harder the pad the shorter the life of the rotor, right? For me I would much rather replace a less expensive pad more often (say 15,000 miles) than replace a more expensive pad less often (say 30,000) and also have to replace the rotors at that time. But the key here is to find a softer pad that doesn't comprimise stopping ability. I too think the Raybestos pads are excellent in this situation.

I don't care about lifetime warranty. The NAPA lifetime pads were so abrasive (as compared to their two year pads) I could have shaved with them. Also it has been my experience that lifetime pads squeak more often.

Just my experiences.
Ryan

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

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TowPro,
It seems like we are in agreement. You are on your 3rd set of pads (1 factory, 2 PF's) in 78k miles. To the average person this is wearing out the pads somewhat quickly.

I'm glad the PF's are working out good for you, and at $35 a pop who cares if you need to replace them every 25k (as long as they leave your rotors intact, as they have). It's much cheaper and easier than replacing rotors.

 

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HEY GUYS Carbon Metalic is the only way to go. Performance Friction is a very good pad but you do have a choice. CarboMet Plus by hawkhead automotive is my choice to install for all around use--stops better when cold--I sold & installed performance friction for several years but we have been distributing carbomet for the past several years with better results overall. they also have pads available for all cars & trucks & they work egually good on everything--no wear on the rotors

 

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Sorry to ask a dumb question, but I notice a few of you rough up the surface of the pads before installing them. . Why? I've always just slapped em in. without issue. What does this do??

 

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I've been using Performance Friction pads since the truck was new. Neither on this Ram nor on other vehicles have I done anything to the rotors or pads before slapping them on, so long as the rotors were OK. I got the pads from Autozone with their lifetime warranty. If I do a lot of town driving, they don't last real long (20-35,000 miles), especially since they have begun putting a heavy chamfer on them to stop squealing.

 

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Only to knock the rust edge off (in case the new pad is a little larger) and to give the rotor a little rougher surface to speed up seating of the new pads. I use a 5" sanding disk in the drill, and spin the rotor as I turn on the sander. This gives you a swirl pattern on the face of the rotor.

Originally posted by Deezal Man:
Sorry to ask a dumb question, but I notice a few of you rough up the surface of the pads before installing them. . Why? I've always just slapped em in. without issue. What does this do??