Ceramic pads
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
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Ceramic pads
I have a problem with horrible brake dust accumulation on the front aluminum wheels on my 2003 E-150. To remedy the situation, someone recommended ceramic pads, which are not supposed to be so dusty.
Does anyone know if the characteristics of the ceramics are appropriate for a heavy van? It's an 8 passenger, and we load it with our 5 kids and their stuff, but that's about all. I've only towed with it twice: once with a lawn mower trailer, and once to pull a broken Buick.
What do you think?
Thanks!
Does anyone know if the characteristics of the ceramics are appropriate for a heavy van? It's an 8 passenger, and we load it with our 5 kids and their stuff, but that's about all. I've only towed with it twice: once with a lawn mower trailer, and once to pull a broken Buick.
What do you think?
Thanks!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
it is ideal for it. try www.kragen.com i use the satisfied brand. veru good pads and at a decent price about 75.00
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
I put the CarQuest brand ceramic pads on my '03 Taurus (the daily driver) and loved them. Virtually zero dust and excellent performance. I had been using Performance Friction Carbon Metalic pads on my Clubwagon for years. They worked well but I hated the heavy black dust. I liked the CarQuest "Blue" ceramic pads on the car so much I got a set of the heavy duty (Gold) ceramic pads for the Clubwagon.
I have had them on the van for about 6 months now and they are performing well, at least as good as the Carbon Metalic pads. Most impressive is NO DUST!!! I really didn't want to give up any performance since I really only use the van to tow but so far I think they are at least comperable if not superior.
I would for sure say to try a set, you will most likely love them.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
I have had them on the van for about 6 months now and they are performing well, at least as good as the Carbon Metalic pads. Most impressive is NO DUST!!! I really didn't want to give up any performance since I really only use the van to tow but so far I think they are at least comperable if not superior.
I would for sure say to try a set, you will most likely love them.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon XLT
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: The Show Me State
All,
I hear everybody about dust, but what about rotor wear? Are the ceramics harder on the rotors? What about brake fade? Any issues there?
One last thought, for those of us with four wheel disks and ABS, I'd think it would be "best" to upgrade all four brakes at the same time to ensure all four wheels respond the same...
DadVan
I hear everybody about dust, but what about rotor wear? Are the ceramics harder on the rotors? What about brake fade? Any issues there?
One last thought, for those of us with four wheel disks and ABS, I'd think it would be "best" to upgrade all four brakes at the same time to ensure all four wheels respond the same...
DadVan
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 7
From: Saint Augustine, FL
Dadvan, I don't have enough data yet on rotor wear of the ceramics but my experience with the van is that the carbon metalics are pretty hard on them. I replaced the rotors when I put the ceramics on and so far they still look new. I have had them on the Taurus for about 30K miles and the rotors are still perfect.
My experience with the Carbon Metalic pads was that the rotors wore out before the pads! As for heat, the ceramics are noticeably less heat sensitive. I don't get the same fade that I did with the Carbon Metalics. But then I use them REALLY hard too.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon
My experience with the Carbon Metalic pads was that the rotors wore out before the pads! As for heat, the ceramics are noticeably less heat sensitive. I don't get the same fade that I did with the Carbon Metalics. But then I use them REALLY hard too.
Steve
'95 Clubwagon
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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I ran ceramics exclusively on a Dodge van and went from changing the pads every 30K to every 60K. Better stopping than OEM and you have to like the long life and no dust. They also seemed easier on the rotors, (less wear).
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 289
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From: The Show Me State
All,
I actually have ceramic pads on my wife's 2000 Mazda Protege ES, where they do a GREAT job with less dust and rotor wear. But, having said that, I also know that automotive technology doesn't always transfer between compact cars and full-size vans, so I jumped at the chance to participate in this thread before I replace pads next spring.
BTW, I have heard, anecdotally, that ceramics will sometimes chatter more after heavy braking (long, steep, downhill grades), but that their braking power remains unaffected. Comments?
DadVan
I actually have ceramic pads on my wife's 2000 Mazda Protege ES, where they do a GREAT job with less dust and rotor wear. But, having said that, I also know that automotive technology doesn't always transfer between compact cars and full-size vans, so I jumped at the chance to participate in this thread before I replace pads next spring.
BTW, I have heard, anecdotally, that ceramics will sometimes chatter more after heavy braking (long, steep, downhill grades), but that their braking power remains unaffected. Comments?
DadVan
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2005
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I had a 99 e-150 and put ceramic pads on it. It doubled the life of the pads and did not tear up the rotors like the metallic pads, big improvement. They also did not make any noise, and I had no problems with them and used them for 100,000 miles.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 109
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Originally Posted by DadVan
All,
I actually have ceramic pads on my wife's 2000 Mazda Protege ES, where they do a GREAT job with less dust and rotor wear. But, having said that, I also know that automotive technology doesn't always transfer between compact cars and full-size vans, so I jumped at the chance to participate in this thread before I replace pads next spring.
BTW, I have heard, anecdotally, that ceramics will sometimes chatter more after heavy braking (long, steep, downhill grades), but that their braking power remains unaffected. Comments?
DadVan
I actually have ceramic pads on my wife's 2000 Mazda Protege ES, where they do a GREAT job with less dust and rotor wear. But, having said that, I also know that automotive technology doesn't always transfer between compact cars and full-size vans, so I jumped at the chance to participate in this thread before I replace pads next spring.
BTW, I have heard, anecdotally, that ceramics will sometimes chatter more after heavy braking (long, steep, downhill grades), but that their braking power remains unaffected. Comments?
DadVan