Which Brake Pads?

[DogramTD]

This just may be a fantasy of mine; but has anyone found a "dust free" (as dust free as it could be anyway) pad with OEM performance? I'm anal when it comes to my truck being clean...and that brake dust drives me nuts!

 

[AH64ID]

My OEM pads are the most dust free pad I’ve ever used on any rig.

 

[mwilson]

My OEM pads are the most dust free pad I’ve ever used on any rig.

Same here, the only time the wheels dirtied up was when the OEM pads were worn almost out...and then it was more of a brown haze....

 

[GrantP]

This just may be a fantasy of mine; but has anyone found a "dust free" (as dust free as it could be anyway) pad with OEM performance? I'm anal when it comes to my truck being clean...and that brake dust drives me nuts!

I've always used a "ceramic" pad partly for that reason. They've always been quiet and very low dust. No complaints about braking performance either. I'm currently running the Power Stop pads and rotors on all my vehicles, price is right and have had zero problems with any of their kits. To each his own though.

 

[jgillott]

I've always used a "ceramic" pad partly for that reason. They've always been quiet and very low dust. No complaints about braking performance either. I'm currently running the Power Stop pads and rotors on all my vehicles, price is right and have had zero problems with any of their kits. To each his own though.

I tried Duralast ceramic pads on my '07. I will also say that they produced very little dust and stopped the truck well. I just couldn't get any mileage out of them. I'd have to check the exact #'s, but I know it was less than 30K before they were worn out.

 

[GrantP]

I tried Duralast ceramic pads on my '07. I will also say that they produced very little dust and stopped the truck well. I just couldn't get any mileage out of them. I'd have to check the exact #'s, but I know it was less than 30K before they were worn out.

I know driving habits and usage vary drastically, but my front OEM pads were done before the truck hit 50k. I have never tried the Duralast pads (and probably never will) but overall have been happy with the longevity with ceramic pads. It might be brand dependent but I'm well over 40k on the Power Stops and I don't think I'm at 50% worn yet. But as someone else mentioned these "which brand is best" arguments whether it be transmissions, oil, tuners etc can get stupid. Just sharing my experience.

 

[jgillott]

I know driving habits and usage vary drastically, but my front OEM pads were done before the truck hit 50k. I have never tried the Duralast pads (and probably never will) but overall have been happy with the longevity with ceramic pads. It might be brand dependent but I'm well over 40k on the Power Stops and I don't think I'm at 50% worn yet. But as someone else mentioned these "which brand is best" arguments whether it be transmissions, oil, tuners etc can get stupid. Just sharing my experience.

I understand completely. I tow a lot, so I agree that driving habits and use very greatly.

 

[seafish]

I know driving habits and usage vary drastically, but my front OEM pads were done before the truck hit 50k.

It is true that the people like myself who are getting 100k plus from the oem pads are driving trucks with the G56 and use the manual transmission often to downshift and slow the truck down, as opposed to those driving AT trucks using the service brakes exclusively to slow down. Of course those of us also with either an aftermarket, or the oem, exhaust brake benefit even more from longer life of the service brakes.

 

[GrantP]

It is true that the people like myself who are getting 100k plus from the oem pads are driving trucks with the G56 and use the manual transmission often to downshift and slow the truck down, as opposed to those driving AT trucks using the service brakes exclusively to slow down. Of course those of us also with either an aftermarket, or the oem, exhaust brake benefit even more from longer life of the service brakes.

That's a good point. My AT truck with 37" tires and no exhaust brake is going to use up a set of pads much faster than yours. As they say...your mileage may vary....

 

[Mark31]

As a rural mail carrier, I learned to be easier on brakes. I could get 10k out of (only) OEM pads on my S15 GMC and RHD Cherokee. My wife's Honda INSISTED on OEM pads. All this "programmed" me to not even consider anything but OEM premiums when My sig truck got new pads at 150k. There was still meat on 'em. It took just a touch to clean up the rotors. Mark

 

[Regcabguy]

As a rural mail carrier, I learned to be easier on brakes. I could get 10k out of (only) OEM pads on my S15 GMC and RHD Cherokee. My wife's Honda INSISTED on OEM pads. All this "programmed" me to not even consider anything but OEM premiums when My sig truck got new pads at 150k. There was still meat on 'em. It took just a touch to clean up the rotors. Mark

Our 2005 Pilot is on it's 4th set of pads @ 160K. All OEM except the present O'Reilly ceramics. I had Bosch rotors installed at the same time. I am seeing more dust with these pads.

 

[dougsram]

An excellent source of information about brakes and brake pads especially, can be found on on Genos's homepage. On the homepage find "Product info" then click on Tech Information. Then under Turbo Diesel Register, click on the PDF "The Perfect Collection." Page 77-82 talks about brakes in general and 83-85 is about pads. All this info comes from past TDR magazine issues. Major take-away is that our trucks' OEM pads are designed to meet the conditions that they will perform under. Explains why a number of posters like the OEM pads. In addition, there are not magic pads that meet all requirements such as longevity, dust free and silent.