Big Brake Kits?
Big Brake Kits?
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
A big brake kit can still warp...there's no guarantee there.
I use a local 4wd shop for my work and advice. Their master mechanic will advise this...ditch the really high end rotors, and buy the chinese made typical blanks for $50 a piece. He advises to spend really good money on a good solid pad. He's a Ford guy, drives a very well cared for 2002 F350 7.3l diesel. He talked me into $53 rotors, and the best Motorcraft pad we could buy for my 2006. Why MC pads? They come with all the springs, clips, shims, etc so you don't have to reuse existing equipment. Most aftermarket pads won't include all of it. His theory, run the inexpensive rotors til they warp, throw them out, rinse, repeat. For $50ish a piece you can go through 3-4 sets before you reach the cost of one aftermarket kit.
I ran that inexpensive rotor and good pad combo for 35k miles and didn't have the issues that I had in 8k miles on the prior rotors.
I know that's not what you wanted to hear. However, Bear, SSB or Brembo would be my choice if I was dead set on spending hundreds to thousands on a big brake kit.
I use a local 4wd shop for my work and advice. Their master mechanic will advise this...ditch the really high end rotors, and buy the chinese made typical blanks for $50 a piece. He advises to spend really good money on a good solid pad. He's a Ford guy, drives a very well cared for 2002 F350 7.3l diesel. He talked me into $53 rotors, and the best Motorcraft pad we could buy for my 2006. Why MC pads? They come with all the springs, clips, shims, etc so you don't have to reuse existing equipment. Most aftermarket pads won't include all of it. His theory, run the inexpensive rotors til they warp, throw them out, rinse, repeat. For $50ish a piece you can go through 3-4 sets before you reach the cost of one aftermarket kit.
I ran that inexpensive rotor and good pad combo for 35k miles and didn't have the issues that I had in 8k miles on the prior rotors.
I know that's not what you wanted to hear. However, Bear, SSB or Brembo would be my choice if I was dead set on spending hundreds to thousands on a big brake kit.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 57
There was a huge write up about brakes on the Diesel Stop several years ago.
Warp rotors are somewhat of a myth..... its variable rotor thickness.
Either way same result.... basically the same fix.
The fix is easy enough..... lube the caliper pins with the correct grease (silicon based grease) and use a more aggressive pad (as stated above, MotorCraft works).
You can change your rotors if you want, but the more aggressive pads will true the rotors back up over time.
I went through this with my '02 250. Solved the issue. Just remember to re-lube the pins every now and then.
Warp rotors are somewhat of a myth..... its variable rotor thickness.
Either way same result.... basically the same fix.
The fix is easy enough..... lube the caliper pins with the correct grease (silicon based grease) and use a more aggressive pad (as stated above, MotorCraft works).
You can change your rotors if you want, but the more aggressive pads will true the rotors back up over time.
I went through this with my '02 250. Solved the issue. Just remember to re-lube the pins every now and then.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 4
stumbled onto that a few years back.....old timers don't want to believe it but the evidence is there to support the claim that rotors don't in fact "warp"
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
JK and Cunmud are correct, and driving style has far more to do with warping rotors than anything else.
-Warped- Brake Disc and Other Myths
-Warped- Brake Disc and Other Myths
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 57
I wasn't convinced until I followed the guys advice..... and it corrected the problem.
Hard to argue with results.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
I have a 2011' F-150 5.0 and had the rotors turned for the first time at about 15K than again at 27K. To solve the problem I purchased expensive drilled and slotted rotors, it didn't help so I had the original rotors turned a third time put them back on the truck and purchased Pep Boys OEM pads, I now have about 45K on the original rotors and PB pads and no warpage, problem solved. I believe the FOMOCO pads are generating too much heat when the brakes are applied. Just my 2 cents.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
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Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
Tim I've found that ceramic pads are a little more prone to scraping the rotor as compared to a similar semi-metallic. The ceramics that I had on my Explorer were pretty good...came from Napa if my memory was correct.
The MC pads that we put on my '06 gave me no issues and it's no secret that I drive my trucks hard at times. I wish I could find my invoice from 2011 to locate that MC part #.
The MC pads that we put on my '06 gave me no issues and it's no secret that I drive my trucks hard at times. I wish I could find my invoice from 2011 to locate that MC part #.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
I warped my stock rotors @ 12K, my fault though, I had them turned and then went ahead an ordered EBC Sport rotors that are slotted and "dimpled" (not drilled) for $415.00 a pair and Hawk Ceramic pads for $82.00 a pair. I haven't had any issues since, which I haven't driven as "aggressively" since either and virtually no brake dust. I've heard of other folks that have had problems with EBC, so far that hasn't been the case for me. Baer and Hawk also make good kits, so I'm told, for the F150. As far as the big brake kits, they are really expensive, or at least the ones i've priced.
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