Brake pad and rotor replacement

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rollinstone

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Did a search and really couldn't find an answer as to recommended brand of replacement rotors and pads. Expy is 2014 LTD, we tow a 3500 lbs camping trailer about 5000-6000 miles a year. Very easy on the brakes if used at all on downhill grades as the tow system provides engine braking.

Being an older truck up for replacement in a couple years I don't need top of the line...adequate or close to OEM will be fine. Or maybe just go with Motorcraft, but dealer prices are crazy.
 

07navi

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Did a search and really couldn't find an answer as to recommended brand of replacement rotors and pads. Expy is 2014 LTD, we tow a 3500 lbs camping trailer about 5000-6000 miles a year. Very easy on the brakes if used at all on downhill grades as the tow system provides engine braking.

Being an older truck up for replacement in a couple years I don't need top of the line...adequate or close to OEM will be fine. Or maybe just go with Motorcraft, but dealer prices are crazy.
No silver bullet with them, I would just use metallic ones for towing that little trailer.
 

ManUpOrShutUp

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There's not one right answer. Just avoid the complete junk. I run AC Delco professional rotors and Akebono Pro-ACT ceramic pads. No issues hauling/towing from 1,500-7,000 lbs on a regular basis. I buy from the cheapest source at the time (Amazon, eBay, RockAuto, Pep Boys, etc.). It always pays to shop around. Sometimes even the traditionally expensive places (e.g. Pep Boys) have a deal going that makes them the cheapest option.
 

shinysideup2

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I've run Hawk for street and racetrack for many years (and Porterfield for race). I currently have Hawk LTS (ferro-carbon compound) on my 2017 Expedition EL towing a 6300 lb travel trailer about 10x/year. These pads provide incredible braking power when towing, but they have started to squeal very loudly. Hawk recommends re-bedding the pads in these situations, so I will be replacing rotors with a slotted set, hoping for less noise. I would NOT recommend drill rotors for heavy-duty use as you risk catastrophic failure (cracking) if they are frequently heated (heavy towing downhill) and cooled (splash of water).

If adding adding substantial braking power is not a priority for you, I would go with Ceramic pads as they offer a bit more power than stock organics or semi-metallics, but are less dusty and quieter than more aggressive Ferro-carbon pad compounds. Ferro-carbon pads will give you the most power, but they may get noisy and/or dusty. I don't mind the trade-off so much, so I generally go with the option that gives the most braking power (ferro-carbon)... and tolerate the dirty wheels and occassional squealing noise.

https://www.hawkperformance.com/par...79723&model=89186&submodel=312059&note=383196
 

ExplorerTom

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I like Hawk LTS pads. Rotors- a good quality blank rotor is fine. I run the Hawk Talon rotors. They weren’t significantly more $$ than quality blanks when I was looking. The LTS have great cold bite and really good heat resistance.

And contrary to what some people say, there is a HUGE difference between cheap pads and good pads. Some people just have experience with anything other than “normal” stuff.

I’m not a fan of ceramics myself. My experience has been that when they are cold (think that first brake application coming off the highway- or a panic stop) their performance isn’t good. But once warm, they are good.
 

07navi

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I like Hawk LTS pads. Rotors- a good quality blank rotor is fine. I run the Hawk Talon rotors. They weren’t significantly more $$ than quality blanks when I was looking. The LTS have great cold bite and really good heat resistance.

And contrary to what some people say, there is a HUGE difference between cheap pads and good pads. Some people just have experience with anything other than “normal” stuff.

I’m not a fan of ceramics myself. My experience has been that when they are cold (think that first brake application coming off the highway- or a panic stop) their performance isn’t good. But once warm, they are good.
But they never have the stopping power of the metallic ones.
 
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rollinstone

rollinstone

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My last truck still had the stock rotors on it at 205k miles when I sold it......never a problem.
Approaching 62,000 and definitely getting shimmy/wobble when gently applying brakes on downhill grades even without trailer attached. I don't mean aggressively or over-using brakes, just to maintain traffic separation. When towing I usually let the TOW/HAUL feature use the engine...stay off the brakes. I'm just thinking I've got signs of warped rotors. You know what a shop will say if I take it in to get mic'd. Wonder what else it could be?
 

Thunderbirdsport

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But they never have the stopping power of the metallic ones.

Do you know anything at all about Hawk pads? Have you ever seen them in person?

I have some on my Mustangs and my Flareside truck...
To say they're much better than stock is a huge understatement. Even with stock rotors they're about a world of difference.

You're comparing stock to aftermarket and then saying the Hawk pads aren't as good as metallic....
Can you stick your foot any further into your mouth? LOL...
 
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