My nephew just graduated high school and his parents bought him an F150 similar to mine. His is an 08 F150 XL, 5 speed, with 109K miles. I admit that it's in great shape. It just needs a few minor mechanical repairs, such as the brakes.
Here is where we get into a p*****g contest on what he should use as brake pads. I suggested semi metallic Wagner Thermo-Quiets all around, but his dad is gung ho on using Duralast Gold ceramic.
The rotors are in such great shape that I suggested just roughing them up with some emory cloth and install the pads. At least he agree's with me on that.
Any suggestions on how to convince him he only needs semi metallic pads instead of ceramic pads or am I missing something here? He will only be driving it to school (LSU-23 miles one way) and on weekends when he needs to go to the store or a friends house.

 

It's not worth arguing over at all in my opinion. Either of the new pads you suggested will be better then the old ones. Let them buy what ever they want and maybe you can help your nephew put them on.

 

Golden rule: If dad's paying, dad decides.

Either of those suggestions work, so give in to dad.

 

Get what ever he is paying for but they will all be cheaper from Rock Auto

 

As the manager of a brake shop, I've used both the Duralast Ceramics, BrakeBest Select, and Wagners on hundreds of vehicles. Any of those ceramic pads will improve braking. But my personal preference is Wagners, I have yet to have a come back for any reason with Wagners!

And personally I have a set of Duralast Ceramics on my F150 (which I recieved free from an Autozone Regional Manager as a trial), and I personally do not like them. They produce a lot of dust and they are very hard on the brake rotors. I've had them on my truck for 15,000 miles and I'm starting to develop a pulsating brake peddle.

 

Not worth arguing over IMO. As long as they safely stop the truck, that's all that matters. If they have some other disadvantage such as rotor wear or what have you, let them find out the hard way. Their money.

 

The ONLY reason I jumped in to give my .2 cents, and to help my nephew was because the dirtiest his dads hands have ever been from working on a car was when he had to change a flat tire on his car. And, that was because his cell phone had no service where he was located, in order to call AAA.
What he knows about cars is what he has read in my old CAR CRAFT and POPULAR HOT RODDING magazines.

 

It does not matter what dad knows, or how dirty his hands have ever become...if he's paying, guess who is going to win?

Now if the son wishes to cough up the brake repair money, then he can decide.