3 weeks ago I changed the Front Pads on my wife's 04 XLT. Got tired of the constantly dirty rims, wash it on Sunday rims dirty Tuesday. I installed a set of Satisfied Ceramic Pads from Kragen. This morning after she had put about 200 miles on it, I washed the Expy. I found a lite coating of dust that you could not see on the chrome rims. Did not have scrub just washed them like the rest of the vehicle. They were a little pricey at $75 but it was worth it. No noise and the braking seem normal or a little improved. So I am a happy person. The Expy spends most of it time in the garage that why its not washed that often. Now that gas is at $3 a gallon it might spend more time in the garage. We are both retired so it is easy for us to use my truck to run around in and save the big gal for trips where the mileage is better.

Tom

 

Are they expected to last a little longer? Might make the purchase price a bit more agreeable.

 

I think they will. The OEM pads are soft and they will tend to wear faster hence the dust. These are a different material and harder and will probably last longer. On my Toyota pickup the OEM pads lasted about 22K put 2 sets on in 45K miles it now has Ceramic pads. The way I drive pads usually last about 35-40K before I replace them, as I don't wait till they are down to the warning divice and start squeeking. The Ceramic pads on the Expy are quiet and I have noticed very little dust. One thing else Ceramic pads tend to cost a little more any way. But they are cheaper than the OEM pads at the dealer. You have to remember the enginers design brakes to be quiet and easy on the rotors they design for the general public who want cars qualities in their trucks. How hard these will be on the rotors I will not know for a while. Past experience with Ceramic pads on other vehicles I have owned,has shown no premature wear on the Rotors. I think a lot has to do on how you use the brakes.

Tom

 

I have satisfied ceramic on the front and rear of my 2001, and you are right about the dust... much much less than normal, and they are wearing just fine, ive had them on for about 15k so far, still a decent amount of pad left. I will say that they do not break as hard as the EBC pads i used to have, but those made my wheels dirty in 2 days. I like the satified better. i think you can get them a little cheaper on tirerack.com, thats where I got mine.