I have a 03 Expedition and I need to replace the brake pads. While I am mechanical enough to do the job I dont know much about what type of pad to get (semi-metalic, ceramic, etc) or what brand. I dont tow heavy loads, but I do live in a rainy climate. I am too old and boring to drive fast so high performance brakes are not my thing either, just looking for a good set of breaks without breaking the bank.

Thanks,
Salmonmaster

 

One step above the cheapy pads should be fine for your style of driving.

 

If you want to keep dust down go with ceramic. I don't think because you don't drive fast you shouldn't get good pads. It never hurts to be able to stop better at any speed, and a small percentage in price spread out over the life of the pads is not all that much to pay. I've used both Raybestos Quiet Stop and more recently Hawk Performance Ceramic. The Quiet Stop line was replaced by another line, I don't recall which line. Both pads were good, although I think the Hawks dust a little more.

 

Scroll way down on the main forum page to the Vendors page and click on it. Then look at the thread started by a new sponsor, Brakemotive.
They are giving a great discount thru May. Read some of the posts and get a quote from their rep.

 

i use hawk pads all around. no dust, and they stop this pig pretty good. i'd still like better, but i think my only other option is the racing caliper setup from brembro or someone like that.

 

I have Raybestos Ceramics on my 99 and they work good and wear very well.
I have about 40,000 mi on them and I would guess 3/8 to half still left. This is what I am putting back on. I use Wagner Thermal-Quites on everything else.

 

I've always used NAPA ceramics because I have a discount on our account. They're good and I've never had any problems.

Depending upon how many miles, you may need to replace the caliper bolt bushings. NAPA has a brake parts kit that includes those.

 

I always use ceramics when I can. I dont like the dust produced by semi-metallic.

I have a Chevy (bad word) Astro and it has AutoZone Duralast Semi Metallics and they have been good. They were out of ceramics when I went to the store and the van was all apart so I just got what they had.

 

Iwas told by alot of wrenches to use motorcraft pads and cheap napa rotors so far I got 22000 mi on this combo I was only getting a little over 15000 mi with others I did here good things about hawk pads but havent tried those yet. Good luck

 

Thanks for the information. I just got done putting on some cheepo's from NAPA. I got to looking at the rotors and they are nearing the end of their life, but moneys a bit short right now to do the whole enchilada so I will run these for a while and then maybe do it right The "standard" ones at Napa were only about $23 so even if they only last a year I'm not out much.

Are the fronts harder to change than the rear? I had the rears changed in about 30 minutes and that included getting it on the hoist, digging up the right tools, and cleaning up. I know when I go to change the rotors I'm in for a treat from what I've been reading on here. Sounds like a sawsall, a chisel, and a good hammer is the way to go-------cant wait

 

The rears generally take a little longer if you take off the rotors to clean and inspect the parking brake, followed by an adjustment of the parking brakes after reassembly. Other than that, fronts and rears are the same.

 

I put ceramic pads on about 65,000 ago and do not have any brake problems. There is about 3/8 inch of pad left. The rotors have never been turned since I have owned it.
This 99 Expedition has 176,800 or so on it now.
PS I do my own work and repairs.

 

I've had good service life and performance out of the Bendix Titanium Metallic series pads.
JL

 

I replaced the pads with ceramic and new rotors on the front. The front rotors were extra difficult to get off, finally had to take it in and have the left one removed. The ceramic pads did keep my wheels much ckeaner and worked great. I don't do a lot of hauling or heavy use but they were cleaner.

 

I managed to get 102k out of my factory original rear pads before they needed replaced. My fronts have been replaced 3 times so far, rotors once. The shop I take my Expy to for big service work uses Raybestos Professional Grade semi-metallics and I managed 60k out of my last set of front pads.