Front Brake Pad Recommendation??

[JKnight]

Does anyone out there have a recommendation for good brake pads for the '98 2500 4x4? The ones I put on have worn out prematurely and have squeaked alot the whole time. Thanks.

 

[illflem]

Carbomet pads from TDR member and brake guru extraordinaire Sam Peterson are the best for our Rams, price is right also. They come with new caliper pins and grease for the price of pads alone elsewhere.

Sam's number is. . (360)357-4958... . 8:30 to 5:30 Pacific time

or email at -- email address removed --

 

[LSMITH]

Performance Friction carbon metallics from Autozone have been really good to me.

 

[PRout]

Originally posted by LSMITH

Performance Friction carbon metallics from Autozone have been really good to me.

Same here. There pretty easy on the rotors, stop a little better & more consistant feel than stock. Also, no more of that red brake dust everywhere.

 

[BILLUA]

Brake Pads

I also just installed Perfomance Friction Carbon Metallic Pads and am very happy with them. They ran $44. 00 at Autozone. Be sure to get a can of brake cleaner to clean everything and also brake grease to grease the holders for the caliper and pad holder. I cleaned mine first with a little emory cloth. .

Also the rims now stay clean and free from brake dust.

 

[Heetseeker_1]

carbon metalic

I just put a set on yesterday and they work well. The guy behind the counter said they are "lifetime break pads"... I laughed in his face. "Just ring me up, Gus. I'll be back, trust me"



Steve.

 

[Challenger-II]

Heard some good things about the new Ceramic pads... ... supposed to be quiet and with NO dust. Anyone using these pads? How are they on rotor life?

 

[tgbol]

My truck just turned 36,000 and I was starting to hear a squeak from the left front wheel. So I decided to check the brakes. Still had some pads left but it was time. I ordered Carbon-Metalic pads for both front. Finally changed them out this weekend and what a difference!! I have to use about half the pedal pressure to stop. When I was looking for the pads I found that NAPA and Kragen didn't even show the rear pads for the '01. 5 Rams. I also discovered that the rear pads on our trucks are the same as the front pads on the F*rd Expeditions.

the front pad numbers are 8214 or 0821. 20 and the rear are 7024 or 0702. 20 both numbers are on the boxes.

 

[InThinAir]

No more Dust???

I installed the AutoZone CarbonMetallic Pads about 5000 Miles ago. They work good and no squeeks. But there is just as much dust as stock, it is just black not red. My rims are covered with it. I haven't washed the truck in about 30 days, with the drought and all, but I can't even tell the difference between the rubber and the rims anymore.



---Doug

 

[lgibson]

Thanks guys. I just did my brakes before this topic came up. Oh well I ended up getting complete caliper set from Carquest. I used Carquest parts for my nine years as a mechanic and had less trouble with them. I just see how these pads hold up. It is always easy to change them out.

 

[bombero]

Boy I guess I will sound like someone that getting 25mpg but I'll go ahead. On my 92 w2504x4 5sp I got 140000 on the org linings and sold the truck with plenty left. On my 2001 2500 4x4 6sp I have 35000 miles and you cant see any wear > Maybe driving habits??

 

[JJW_ND]

Manuals are easier on pads

I just had my second set of pads installed at 212K on the truck. Had 90K+ on the factory set (probably could have gone more). These had 120K on them and the had a little life left.



I think manuals are easier on pads depending on how one drives. We have a dozen or so Dodge Cummins at work that are all manuals. So guys go through pads ever 20K some never have a set installed when the truck is sold at 100K.



jjw

ND

 

[BillGotthelf]

I have tried many different pads and the Carbon Fiber do pretty well. I have had 4 different dodge diesals and I learned the hard way. Make SURE you clean and sand (emory cloth works) the brackets were the calipers sit on the brackets and calipers also clean the slide pins and the bushing were they go in. Use brake cleaner or evan electrical parts cleaner to flush them out. Use a good high temp grease on the slides and inside the bushings. If you follow this you will get 2-3 times the life out of the front pads.

 

[BillGotthelf]

Thats the slide pins NOT the bracket slides. If you grease this area it will trap dirt and sand and lock up the outer pad and the inner one won'y last at all.

 

[rfielding]

Brake linings

Wow... would I like to get the same milege on my pads...



My 99 Ram was bought new ... now has 64000 miles... just replaced my 4th set of pads on the front... and had to replace the rotors this time...



I went from carbon metallic to the cerramic pads... I hope they last longer... . millege is generally all highway though some in stop-n-go commute... the rest is towing my ski boat through hills with Lance camper on bed...



Maybe it's the auto trans and the free wheeling down the hills... they sure can heat up sometimes, even with down shifting into 2nd...



Thinking of getting an exhaust brake... any ideas???



Thanks.

 

[FDziurda]

It Must be the Manual transmission

I have ~56K miles on my pads and they are less than half used. I check them every 10K when I rotate tires. I have a set of carbon metallics to put on when they are needed.

Frank

 

[Bob Cochran]

No place does it say how to know when to change them as there are not tabs to rub the rotor and make the squeek. Now on the ends of the pad is camfered, the OEM ones that is. It is my guess when the camfer is gone it is time. Is that right? It seems I have a lot left although it does squeel when I lightily hit the break and stops when I press them harder.

 

[PRout]

Re: Brake linings

Originally posted by rfielding

My 99 Ram was bought new ... now has 64000 miles... just replaced my 4th set of pads on the front... and had to replace the rotors this time...



Thanks.

Something is way wrong there... My original pads were only about half worn out at 60k miles.



Yea, the e-brake helps, but didnt put it on until maybe 25k miles.

 

[Challenger-II]

WOW!!!! I'm not alone. I am also ready to put on my 4th set of pads with only 56,000 miles. My last set of CM lasted 10,000 miles I will also be trying the new ceramics pads. I dont even tow anything either. My outside pads always wear faster too.



Someone made a comment about not lubing the caliper slide rails because it will collect crap and hang up?? I always grease them... . what's the opinion on this?

 

[LSMITH]

I grease all of the slide surfaces on the calipers and knuckles, if I don't I get brake pull. Every 15-20K miles I do pull the wheels and "change the grease" as it does collect some garbage. If you are eating pads in 10K miles running empty you have calipers that are not completely retracting or binding in the knuckles. Clean up the slide surfaces with a file and lube them, I think your pad life will be extended dramatically. Be sure to use only a grease specifically for caliper lube.