Vehicle:
2010
Ford F150 Platinum
4x4 Towing Package
5.4L Automatic
154k miles

Myself:
Resources: Medium-High
Competency: Medium-High
I have lots of nice tools
I have replaced many parts (radiator, alternator, handles, on vehicles)

Usage:
-Daily
-Heavy Towing, (once per month)

Brakes:
When I am braking there is a slight pulsation as I slow down.
My dad (who has much more experience with cars than I am) said that wasn't normal and to get a set of brakes for us to change-out.

I was Looking at:

• Power Stop K3166-36
  Power Stop K3166-36
• Detroit Axle
  Detroit Axle
• PMC
• Generic

But after viewing this thread: https://www.f150forum.com/f38/brakes...cement-542155/
I am considering something else now.

FWIW, I really like(d) my current brakes. They lasted forever (5 years, 84k-150k maybe longer, unknown brake history prior to 84k).
They stopped well-enough except when towing and braking super hard, but trailer has brakes and I use the controller to brake mostly when stopping these days.

Should I replace the rotors too (I assumed the pulsation meant they are warped)?

Main question:
Which brand is best for my application (for pads &/or rotors)?
NAPA?
Power stop?
EBC?
Motorsport?
Akebono?Second question:
What level of replace/repair should I be doing?
I assume this is dependent on the wear on the used items, but based on the symptoms (pulsation while braking)

1. Pads
2. Pads & Rotors
3. Pads & Rotors & Relube

Third question:
Which video replacement guide is recommended (not overly detailed, but includes all steps).

1. You Tube
2. You Tube
3. You Tube
4. You Tube

 

i never heard of Detroit axel , power stop is decent

 

Detroit Axle is literally the cheapest brand. They aren't from US. they are typical chinesium garbage seller. They use the cheapest materials and resources. Powerstop is great. I've used their pads and rotors in multiple different versions on several of my vehicles with zero complaints.
For some reason, the 12th gen trucks seem very prone to material transfer. Aka, the pads/rotors get hot and pad material gets embedded on the rotor creating high and low spots which is what causes the pulsation when slowing. I had this issue with my 2011 STX supercab 4x4 and the way I solved it was by using the Powerstop Z36 pads and rotors. I am usually an OEM parts only kind of guy. But the Ford pads and rotors are terrible in this respect. I'll never put OEM pads or rotors on my truck ever again. Full disclosure, I am a ford parts guy.
On my current truck, a 2013 XLT S-crew 4x4, I am running Powerstop "stock" replacements on the front. I think I'm close to 10k on them. So far so good. I only bought these because I found them for super cheap on marketplace. I have whatever cheap pads and rotors the selling dealer put on and they too will be swapped out for the powerstops extremely soon.

 

Most people here seem to like Powerstop, but I get the most complaints from customers who use them. Especially on trucks. I personally like Raybestos rotors and Wagner pads. I put that combo on all my tow vehicles. The Wagner pads have great cold bite and seem to resist fade better than anything else I've used. I've never had a Raybestos rotor warp.

 

.

 

For the vibration, you'll have to look. It could just be you need new pads and rotors, but it would also be likely that it is caused by a caliper.; At this age, it would be a good idea to replace the brake hoses if it hasn't been done, and inspect the calipers to see if they are still working.

I've been liking Raybestos Element3.

 

forget powerstop. crap product and they give off more dust than a week in the desert. i have had great success with the napa gold brand of pads and rotors. i have also ran wagner thermo-quiet pads and had no noises but they did make a little more dust than the napa brand.