I inspected the brakes on my EX earlier this week because I was planning to take it on a long trip which would have included quite a bit of mountain driving. I found the rear pads were worn too thin for the trip and the fronts were also questionable especially since one pad was worn more than the others. The rear rotors looked fine but one of the fronts had some gouging on one surface as if there may have been metal to metal contact. I'll probably end up needing to the replace the front rotors as a set. I've never noticed any pulsating from the brakes while stopping. The choices for pads and rotors seems quite extensive. I don't plan to tow anything but I want the brakes to be up to the job if I ever do.
What are the best rotors and pads I can get that will last? I've read here that OEM rotors are prone to warping but how about pads? I've always used OEM on most everything I've owned and they met my expectations. The aftermarket stuff has been hit and miss but mostly miss. Should I replace the calipers? They still looked good and didn't show any signs of leakage.
Thanks in advance.

 

Another thing, if I do end up buying aftermarket based on your recommendations, should I replace the bearing races? I've read here that some guys have replaced them with Timken races because the ones that usually come with them are junk.

 

I have a 2001 4wd that I use as a tow vehicle for our camper. When I did my front brakes I went with Power Stop Z36 Truck & Tow kit. Came with pads and rotors. I have been happy with it and have had no issues.

It was a little more than some others, but since I would be putting on a lot of towing miles I didn't think it was a place to cut costs.

Looking at RockAuto the 2wd kit is quite a bit more though. $348 vs $190. Not sure why the big difference.

 

The 2wd's front rotors and hubs are one piece. I was looking around and even the Ford OEM are chinese. That's disappointing.

 

True but Powerstop does offer the rotor hub assembly for RWD.

 

I never knew the hubs and rotors were available separately. It would have made more sense for Ford to have designed it this way in the first place.

 

Anyone out there got any suggestions? I've found some NOS US made front rotors and pads out there. I may just go ahead with those since I haven't heard much here.

 

I went with EBC rotors and pads. Power stop calipers.

 

Looks nice. Is it a good idea to rebuild or change the rotors. Mine still work fine and show no signs of leakage.

 

I dont know how relevant this is to your situation. I am also researching new rotors and calipers for Bertha's front end.

https://www.355nation.net/threads/no...d-drums.41051/

 

Here is what I did last year. Rotors are Frozen. I didn’t take numbers for distance, but I know it has saved me at least once from rear ending someone and I smell them less when I am on the twisting mountain back roads.

 

Thanks for the thread. I recently found a set of NOS US made rotors and today made the purchase. Even after reading elsewhere that Motorcraft rotors were junk I think it's because they're now made in china. I would trust the old US made ones over the current chinese ones. Besides they're all made there now and I found these for what would pay for chinese ones. I still need to find pads though I'm sure that'll be easier. I could always rebuild the calipers myself if needed.