Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) thoughts on soft brake pads versus hard pads

[Pit Bull]

I've alway liked the soft pads that wearout faster compared to the hard pads that wear the rotors out faster. I replace more pads but I replace fewer rotors. I have never done a comparison of the overall cost but it seems like it would be cheaper replacing the pads more often?

 

[TKilgore]

What Pads?

I think I would agree with you as I buy lifetime pads so it would be just labor.



What pads have you had sucess with?



Thanks



Tom

 

[AlFischer]

WAY back in 73 I bought a New Ford Pinto. When the pads wore out I went and bought the best longest warranteed pads (and hardest) available. Within one month the rotors started to wear (and the wear was uneven). Had the rotors turned. Problem persisted. Threw the hard pads away and bought the cheapest (softest) pads I could find. End of problem.



Same sort of thing on my new Toyota Camry. The original pads are soft like butter. Silent. Lasted about 35k miles. Bought the best Napa pads. Harder. They squeal like a stuck pig!! They are not wearing. Next pads will come from Toyota. They won't squeal.



Guess I vote for soft pads changed more often than hard pads that destroy rotors.



NOW, how about the amount of brake dust on the front wheels of my new DC TRUCK??? Disgusting...

 

[Sky]

Originally posted by afischer





NOW, how about the amount of brake dust on the front wheels of my new DC TRUCK??? Disgusting...

When I first got my truck just about 2 years ago I had really bad brake dust but it went away, now I have 71k on my truck and still have over 55% on the pads. I pull a 4-5k lbs trailor about 800 miles a week and still on the original pads, needles to say I am VERY happy with my brakes I should get well over 100k out of these pads.

 

[jerrethomas]

i would rather buy the pads then the rotors. esspecially if you have a dodge 4x4. what a nightmare. your talking like 3 hours of labor per rotor unless you know a shop that can turn the rotors on the truck. cause i think to get the rotor off the truck you have to pull the spindle and everything the way it is put together.

 

[Rob Thomas]

I can have all 4 rotors off my truck in 20 min from when I pulled into the garage. Like Sky said, I'm very happy with my brakes, 62,000 miles, about half worn, and stop great. I dont worry about brake dust all that much, 'cause I wash my truck.



Later, Rob

 

[dresslered]

I went through a phase where I used nothing but Metal Masters on my BMW. They squealed, clunked, and wore out the rotors in no time at all. They did NOT produce brake dust and were superior under EXTREME braking conditions where lots of heat was produced. I soon learned and went back to the OEM soft, dusty pads.



I originally would get a little dust on my Ram's front wheels but as soon as I added the exhaust brake, it has pretty much gone away. I am expecting to get at least 100,000 miles out of the OEM's. After that, I'll replace with new whether it needs it or not.

 

[illflem]

If you use Carbo-Met pads from tdr brake guru Sam Peterson you get the perfect match for your rotors. Soft enough that they don't wear rotors yet hard enough that you don't get excessive dust and rapid pad wear. Best of both worlds, plus they don't squeal. Excellent man to do business with also. Call 8-5 Pacific time 360/357-4958

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by illflem

If you use Carbo-Met pads from tdr brake guru Sam Peterson you get the perfect match for your rotors. Soft enough that they don't wear rotors yet hard enough that you don't get excessive dust and rapid pad wear. Best of both worlds, plus they don't squeal. Excellent man to do business with also. Call 8-5 Pacific time 360/357-4958

I have heard good things about these, I will try a set next change.

thanks

 

[Turbo Trucker]

Since I haul heavy loads, my brakes wear out fast. I put on regular semi metallics, and I got like 7-10 K miles out of them. I then went to Performance Friction carbon metallic, they have done a lot better. I have 118k on the rotors and they're still working fine.

 

[DCMille290]

For 4 years I have been bouncing around North America and every year do 2-3 sets of pads up front and 1 set of rear linings on my 98. 5 towing a 12,500 fifth wheel trailer.

Last brake job I bought Severe Stop, Carbon pads up front and I can tell you these pads are great. Small amount of dust, no signs of wear on my new rotors and stops much better, pulling problem gone, with a lot less fade.



JMHO and . 02



DC Miller

Marbleman

 

[lschultz]

Sam Petersons email -- email address removed --

My son put a set on his 99 and what a difference. I have a set for mine but they don't need replacing yet.