2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission new rotor advice

[Grinder1]

Having some problems with new cross drilled/slotted front brake rotors. Have about 3k miles on them. Work fine until you really put a load on them, then they cause my disc pads to get so hot that they smoke! Plus I'm getting brake fade which has never happened before. I've had this truck since '98, done many a brake job on it, never had these problems. Towing same equipment as always. Nothing has changed in my driving habits. I'm using Bendix Fleet MetLok pads, which I've used for many years. I'm thinking that there's not enough disc surface, due to holes and slots, for the pads to grab, so more braking pressure needs to be applied, causing more heat. Has anyone else had this problem with drilled and/or slotted rotors?

OK... ..... I need to decide which brand rotors to buy to replace the "mistake" #@$%!. I'm going back to stock rotors, the best HD premium ones that have a good track record. So far I'm looking into Raybestos, Centric, AC Delco, and NAPA. Any ideas?

 

[Coalsmoke]

Raybestos will always be a good choice. I have never run slotted rotors, but I have run Raybestos severe duty rotors with their severe duty pads on my 12,000lb welding rig and they worked very well. Lots of stopping power, no smoking, and no brake fade.

 

[Grinder1]

Raybestos will always be a good choice. I have never run slotted rotors, but I have run Raybestos severe duty rotors with their severe duty pads on my 12,000lb welding rig and they worked very well. Lots of stopping power, no smoking, and no brake fade.

Thanks Coalsmoke, would the HD Raybestos be the "Advanced Technology" rotors they sell? Are you running with semi-metallic or ceramic pads?

 

[Coalsmoke]

I'm sorry, I'm not sure about the advanced technology, but they were heavier built rotors and I thought they were semi metallic pads if memory serves me. Our parts guy said that they were the ambulance spec ones vs the standard duty.

 

[Garlic]

On my 96 I am running the NAPA drilled and slotted rotors with HD United pads for a Chevy 1 ton. With 70,000 on the rotors and a pad change 20,000 ago (They were only at 50% but changed them any way). No smoke, warp or fade, granted it is a gasser, but hauls the same load as the 07. 5, about 11K. AT$90. 00 each for the rotors and $60. 00 for the pads I can't complain.

 

[Regcabguy]

OK... ..... I need to decide which brand rotors to buy to replace the "mistake" #@$%!. I'm going back to stock rotors, the best HD premium ones that have a good track record. So far I'm looking into Raybestos, Centric, AC Delco, and NAPA. Any ideas?

Exactly my experience with the '98. 5 I had. I bought some premium STOCK rotors from NAPA and stock pads from Dodge. Returned to same old mediocre braking performance but better than the slotted/drilled rotors and trick pads. Dodge should have put rear discs on those things in '94. The Fords and Chebbies of those years sucked to in the braking dept too. I don't understand why the manufacturer's don't over engineer certain key components,charge you,and then use that upgrade as a marketing tool. Novel concept:rear discs.

 

[Grinder1]

Carbon Kevlar Pads?

Exactly my experience with the '98. 5 I had. I bought some premium STOCK rotors from NAPA and stock pads from Dodge. Returned to same old mediocre braking performance but better than the slotted/drilled rotors and trick pads. Dodge should have put rear discs on those things in '94. The Fords and Chebbies of those years sucked to in the braking dept too. I don't understand why the manufacturer's don't over engineer certain key components,charge you,and then use that upgrade as a marketing tool. Novel concept:rear discs.

Been talking with EGR Brake regarding brake fade problem. They are confident that their Carbon Kevlar pads will solve my problem, and will work fine with the drilled/slotted "mistake" rotors already on my truck. What do you guys think? Regcab, what exactly were your "trick" pads made of?

 

[Joe Mc]

Some months and miles ago (around 15k anyway) I put new standard rotors (either Bendix or Wagners - can't remember) and went with ceramic pads on a gamble. The original rotors were wearing and had already been cut 50 or 60k prior to clean them up (truck has 184k on it presently).

The stopping power w/new rotors and the pads has increased significantly over the stock "situation". Being the rear has drums the truck's stopping power never really impressed me at all, but in MHO the ceramics helped improve the stop-ability a good deal. Forget what the brand was on the ceramics - got them at Autozone - I know eek! - but they're working real good for me?

 

[Bob Cochran]

Been talking with EGR Brake regarding brake fade problem. They are confident that their Carbon Kevlar pads will solve my problem, and will work fine with the drilled/slotted "mistake" rotors already on my truck. What do you guys think? Regcab, what exactly were your "trick" pads made of?

EGR seems to be a quality company would tend to believe them unless I proved them wrong from some personal experiance.