Brake pads
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Brake pads
I had my front rotors turned today on my E450. The shop owner said I should use Napa calipers, and genuine Ford brake pads. I was going to use Napa pads, but he advised against it. He said Ford wasn't much more money than Napa. Any thoughts? Stan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 164
From: Southwest Ohio
Napa pads are usually made by Bosch. If you’re towing anything, just stick with semi-metallic pads and you’ll be fine. You’ll never really notice a difference between pads.
Curious why you’re having rotors turned? They’re so cheap nowadays you are better off replacing with new. Don’t forget the main job of the rotor is heat dissipation. Turned rotors equals less material, which means they operate at a higher temperature.
Most parts stores, like AutoZone, have lifetime warranty on pads. Just pay once and when they wear out you swap them for a new set at no cost. Buy the ‘Gold’ line but NOT ceramic (usually offered in both ceramic and semi-metallic options for our vehicles).
-Dave
Curious why you’re having rotors turned? They’re so cheap nowadays you are better off replacing with new. Don’t forget the main job of the rotor is heat dissipation. Turned rotors equals less material, which means they operate at a higher temperature.
Most parts stores, like AutoZone, have lifetime warranty on pads. Just pay once and when they wear out you swap them for a new set at no cost. Buy the ‘Gold’ line but NOT ceramic (usually offered in both ceramic and semi-metallic options for our vehicles).
-Dave
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
I can't see paying for a 200.00 rotor from china, when I can keep original Ford rotors. If they were just a simple rotor, I might consider new, but these are the complete hub and rotor assembly with wheel studs. I think Ford wised up later on and made removable rotors. I have older Dodge Ram with the same hub and rotor assembly. Rockauto had a close out. I got both hubs and rotor assembly's and pads for under 100.00 shipped. From China of coarse. Stan
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 164
From: Southwest Ohio
Most parts stores offer ‘basic’ and ‘better’ rotors, if you ask what options you have. Brembo has a huge Mexico factory where they make rotors and stick store names on them.
If you tow and are using turned rotors instead of new, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ve have been involved with auto racing almost 40 years and have personally known acquitances that had brake failure from overheated systems that caused serious accidents. Care to guess what caused the rotors to crack on these vehicles? Heat, although they didn’t have crack issues before their recent brake job.
Dont worry about China and plain-jane brake rotors. The steel in those rotors would test no different than any other rotor.
This may affect your life or the lives of others. Don’t cut corners.
-Dave
If you tow and are using turned rotors instead of new, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ve have been involved with auto racing almost 40 years and have personally known acquitances that had brake failure from overheated systems that caused serious accidents. Care to guess what caused the rotors to crack on these vehicles? Heat, although they didn’t have crack issues before their recent brake job.
Dont worry about China and plain-jane brake rotors. The steel in those rotors would test no different than any other rotor.
This may affect your life or the lives of others. Don’t cut corners.
-Dave
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 24
From: Houston
I just put Bosch Quietcast coated rotors and Hawk LTS pads on my 2012 F350. I am very pleased with them. The seat of the pants meter feels like braking has been improved quite a bit. It could just be new pads and rotors with no measurable improvement over new stock pads and rotors. These pads do seem to generate more brake dust, but I am fine with it for the braking I get.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 2
All steel may not be created equal...Buyer beware!! LOL
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/b...eel-japan.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/b...eel-japan.html
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rusty_S
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
3
Sep 14, 2010 05:07 PM
John7894
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Jul 21, 2005 02:39 PM
