Ford OEM pads & Rotors or aftermarket.. opinions please
08-28-2015, 05:06 AM
#11
Moderator (Ret.)
Brake pad selection has a lot to do with how the truck is used. Do you tow or haul loads with the truck? Do you drive in lots of stop and go conditions?
Semi metallic pads are great for stopping power, especially when towing a trailer or heavy loads, but create dust. Ceramic pads create much less dust, but do not offer the stopping capability of a semi metallic pad needed for extreme braking conditions, such as towing or heavy load hauling.
Pads will rarely be a cause of a "soft" pedal, unless they are simply worn down. Most folks forget about replacing the rubber brake lines between the frame to caliper. These rubber lines swell over time, or the inner rubber gets soft, and allows for expansion, which produces the soft or spongy pedal, assuming there's no air in the braking system. They (stock ones) should be replaced after 5 to 8 years of service, or sooner if the brakes have been used harder then "normal" driving.
Brake fluid should be replaced (flushed) after 3 to 4 years (max). It absorbs moisture, and this too causes a spongy or soft pedal. It will also lead to corrosion of the calipers pistons/bores.
Slotted and drilled rotors are a great investment if you tow, heavy duty use, or drive over hilly type roads that make you use your brakes hard. They help dissipate the heat and gasses that can build up during hard or constant braking. If you do not drive under these conditions, then they are not required, and can help save on a brake job expense. But most buy them anyhow for the "cool look" factor.
It's more then just a pad and rotor change for a good brake job.
Semi metallic pads are great for stopping power, especially when towing a trailer or heavy loads, but create dust. Ceramic pads create much less dust, but do not offer the stopping capability of a semi metallic pad needed for extreme braking conditions, such as towing or heavy load hauling.
Pads will rarely be a cause of a "soft" pedal, unless they are simply worn down. Most folks forget about replacing the rubber brake lines between the frame to caliper. These rubber lines swell over time, or the inner rubber gets soft, and allows for expansion, which produces the soft or spongy pedal, assuming there's no air in the braking system. They (stock ones) should be replaced after 5 to 8 years of service, or sooner if the brakes have been used harder then "normal" driving.
Brake fluid should be replaced (flushed) after 3 to 4 years (max). It absorbs moisture, and this too causes a spongy or soft pedal. It will also lead to corrosion of the calipers pistons/bores.
Slotted and drilled rotors are a great investment if you tow, heavy duty use, or drive over hilly type roads that make you use your brakes hard. They help dissipate the heat and gasses that can build up during hard or constant braking. If you do not drive under these conditions, then they are not required, and can help save on a brake job expense. But most buy them anyhow for the "cool look" factor.
It's more then just a pad and rotor change for a good brake job.
Last edited by Mod (Ret.); 08-28-2015 at 05:10 AM.
08-28-2015, 06:56 AM
#12
All I know is when I went from Wagner Thermoquiet pads from MC, all else equal, my stopping power went up exponentially. MC pads weren't worn at all, think I had them on for 25k, tops.
08-28-2015, 08:12 AM
#13
Mark
iTrader: (1)
I flush my brake system every 30K miles... pretty sure that's a required maintenance. item.
08-28-2015, 08:15 AM
#14
Moderator (Ret.)
I'd bet that many do not perform this. There's a lot of vehicles out there way past a 30K or 3 to 5 year mark that are still braking with the same brake fluid that came with the vehicle.
And these would be the ones that question why a shop charges so much for a simple brake job.
08-28-2015, 08:57 AM
#16
Senior Member
2WD here. Centric front hub/rotor conversion with Wagner Thermoquiets. Got it all on Amazon. Pads put out a lot of dust initially, but no complaints now.
