Rotors, which ones?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,837
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Rotors, which ones?
Ok guys, I have spent the last few hours reading about the differences in rotors and pads and calipers, etc. I am still open to suggestions about what you have run and had success with, but I think I have narrowed my choices down to some sort of lifetime warranted rotors from either Napa or O'Reillys, and EBC Yellow Stuff pads. My question is which brand of rotors from O'Reillys or Napa did you go with? Keep in mind I am shopping from their website because I'm still overseas in the sandbox, so a link from their website would be perfect. I am trying to get the pieces together so my wife can take the truck to my mechanic to have everything installed prior to her next trip towing the 5er.
Thanks a ton for the help, it can be difficult trying to do upgrades to the truck from thousands of miles away......
Thanks a ton for the help, it can be difficult trying to do upgrades to the truck from thousands of miles away......
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,102
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
I went with the bosch quiet cast ones from o'riellys on the wife's truck. About 2k on them now w/o issue. I'm staying away from napa brake parts after having a bad experience w/ their pads. Had a set fall apart on me and tear up a rotor and caliper.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
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OEM Ford Motorcraft brakes are the best choice. I can't see if you have a superduty or not, but they last for 150k plus miles. Other than OEM I'd go EBC rotors with Redstuff pads. EBC might even be better than OEM but Im not sure.
I've boughten the premium pads from Napa and they glazed in less than a year and that was with premium pads too. Plus that was just on a 150 conversion van. Just not worth it anymore to play with the cheap stuff because it has a warranty, if the cheap crap didn't have a warranty nobody would buy it at all. The warranty is the only thing keeping the cheap stuff in circulation. Everyone is quick to throw OEM away and whine cuz it cost more. Of course it cost more. Its a highly engineered piece, made of superior quality material.
I've boughten the premium pads from Napa and they glazed in less than a year and that was with premium pads too. Plus that was just on a 150 conversion van. Just not worth it anymore to play with the cheap stuff because it has a warranty, if the cheap crap didn't have a warranty nobody would buy it at all. The warranty is the only thing keeping the cheap stuff in circulation. Everyone is quick to throw OEM away and whine cuz it cost more. Of course it cost more. Its a highly engineered piece, made of superior quality material.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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Good info, thanks. I guess I just have a hard time believing the OEMs are the best. I dont mind spending more money for quality. I tow heavy often so braking performance is very important to me.
I thought the EBC Yellow Stuff pads are the best for heavy towing applications, is there a benefit with going with the Red Stuff pads instead?
Oh, and the truck is a superduty F250, 2003.
I thought the EBC Yellow Stuff pads are the best for heavy towing applications, is there a benefit with going with the Red Stuff pads instead?
Oh, and the truck is a superduty F250, 2003.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,102
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
I go OEM most of the time but when I can't get the parts in time I typically pick high end aftermarket. Those bosch rotors aren't cheap and they were actually thicker than the motorcrafts for about the same price. Orielly's can get the motorcraft rotors & pads but in my case I couldn't wait a couple of days so I picked the bosch's. Unlike most aftermarket rotors these are actually balanced and come with the oem style 1/2 moon cutout wear markers. Put ceramic pads all round.
Some of the cheap rotors might save ya a few dollars now but you'll be doing another brake job in a year
Learned my lesson on our VW Jetta TDI - used the advance auto "house brand" yeah they didn't cost much when I put them on - 8months later when the "hood was bounc'n" every time we braked I discovered my cheap rotors had cost me: 1 set of upper strut mounts, a set of upper strut bearings, a pr of tires & worn out lower arm bushings! I spent 15x the cost of the rotors replacing all the torn up stuff!
Some of the cheap rotors might save ya a few dollars now but you'll be doing another brake job in a year
Learned my lesson on our VW Jetta TDI - used the advance auto "house brand" yeah they didn't cost much when I put them on - 8months later when the "hood was bounc'n" every time we braked I discovered my cheap rotors had cost me: 1 set of upper strut mounts, a set of upper strut bearings, a pr of tires & worn out lower arm bushings! I spent 15x the cost of the rotors replacing all the torn up stuff!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 362
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From: middlesex county, nj
Oem from rock auto...when I eventually need brakes that's what ill do....looking for discount brake parts ???? Not me...it baffles me that people would even consider cheap brakes or tires, the cost could come back to bite you in the a$$ if either fail when you really need them. Just my $.02
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you can't fix stupid!
Joined: Mar 2008
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i have the ART slotted & cryo'd rotors all around and those paired with stainless brake lins make my f350 stop like my focus.......youll be amazed......
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: southeat Ga.
I don't know about the rotors, I went with factory replacements, but you do NOT want lifetime pads on your 250!! I had a set and they last a lifetime because they have no stopping power at all. I don't tow heavy very often but my next set of pads will be EBC green or yellow stuff.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
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From: Norco,CA
I don't know about the rotors, I went with factory replacements, but you do NOT want lifetime pads on your 250!! I had a set and they last a lifetime because they have no stopping power at all. I don't tow heavy very often but my next set of pads will be EBC green or yellow stuff.
I went with ford pads about 20K ago and now my front sometimes shakes,
some times. It just started so even though my rotors looked good I guess
I should have replaced them 158K on them. Chet
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,193
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From: D.C. but heart's in TEXAS
I got the Bosch QuietCast rotors for the rear of "HERS", and I LOVE them. I need to replace the front rotors, but I'm having a heck of a time finding anyplace that carries them for a 4x2 truck for the front rotors. O'Reilly has tried twice to inquire for me (where I got the rear rotors), and come up dry.
If anyone knows where I can get the Bosch QuietCast front rotors for a 4x2, I'd appreciate it!
If anyone knows where I can get the Bosch QuietCast front rotors for a 4x2, I'd appreciate it!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 765
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From: Eastern Ohio
Unless they changed alot, factory rotors for these trucks are complete junk. I had 4 or 5 sets put on under warranty before I decided just to live with them being warped. Every time I hooked a trailer up the rotors were done. That was pulling 5k or so. New trailer with brake on both axles. A friend had the same problem with his, even with a 5.4 and a 5spd. BTW, we both where truck drivers, so experience and driving to hard for terrain was not the issue.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,102
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
My factory rotors held up pretty well incl towing in some really hilly country. Changed them out @ 75k with another set of OEM rotors. I just put Bosch Quietcast's on the "other 1/2's truck about 2k ago. So far so good. Out of our 8 trucks 7 are running OEM pads & rotors.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
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From: Temperance, MI
Read this it might help, I just went threw a bunch of crap with my truck about this https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-fed-up.html so far so good
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