Replacement brake Pads

[mscher]

What the difference between organic, semi metallic and ceramic disc brake pads, concerning wear (on the rotors also) and braking functionality?

Our 06' highlander hybrid has 100k on the factory pads, which don't appear to be anything special, so longeveity is not a big issue.

The difference in cost is $21, to $67 per axle.

 

[partskenn]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

They will all stop your car, the cheapest ones will also probably drive you crazy with squealing noises. We usually put midgrade pads on to keep customers happy.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

I have had excellent luck with Raybestos Advanced Technology pads and rotors. Can't beat Rock Auto for prices either.

 

[raven7]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

I went with Wagner Thermal Quiet semi metalic pads and they practically elimanated that nasty brake dust you see on the front wheels.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=460867&page=1

LOL I would still use the NAPA premiums....... I stick to my decision!

I did the pads and rotors on my small toyota at 75K and used the Napa premiums. I thought the safety of my wife/family was worth the money and I did the swap myself. I also did the same thing on my 4runner about a year ago

 

[mscher]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=460867&page=1

LOL I would still use the NAPA premiums....... I stick to my decision!

I did the pads and rotors on my small toyota at 75K and used the Napa premiums. I thought the safety of my wife/family was worth the money and I did the swap myself. I also did the same thing on my 4runner about a year ago

LOL, I forgot about that post. Must have been about 8k miles ago.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

I paid $35 (wholesale) for A/C Delco semi-metallic Lifetime warranty pads 5 years ago when the Denali needed pads at 50K. Just turned them back in for another set a month ago - 92K now on the Denali. Easy do it yourself job and no cost for the pads the second time around, or any other time as long as I keep the Denali. Works for me. (BTW, the cost of the pads would now be $50 wholesale and $85 retail)

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

Akebono Ceramics

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

Over the years I've boughten many different types of pads.
The low cost cheap pads usually wear out in a couple of years. You spend lots of time cleaning your front rims.
I put on a cheap to mid grade heavy duty pad on my truck.... sometimes it sounds like a school bus stopping with the squeal it makes. But they've been on the truck for 5 years now.. Granted the truck gets probably 1000 miles per year (if that).

Ceramics. Had one set of those. liked them, but you have to make sure you have the right rotors for them. Cheap bottom of the line rotors will warp with ceramics.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

I have had excellent luck with Raybestos Advanced Technology pads and rotors. Can't beat Rock Auto for prices either.

+1 on Rock Auto

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

+1 on Rock Auto

+2 on RockAuto.
Also go to Retailmenot.com
http://www.retailmenot.com/view/rockauto.com

There are coupon codes there that you can use at check out to get 5% off.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

Hate the Wagner ceramics I put under my Avalanche. Long stopping distances, now no matter how hard I stomp the brake pedal the ABS won't even kick in.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

I put 120K on the Tahoe before the pads and discs needed replaced. I got 120K out of the first set so why change? Stayed with OEM discs and pads.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

OK, back to the OP's question.

Basically, organics are the softest, ceramics are the hardest, and semi-mets are somewhere in the middle. The harder the pad is, the faster the rotor wears. Braking performance under normal conditions is not affected by the type of pad construction. A ceramic will not overheat as fast (more correctly, it will not fade as much when overheated), and therefore would be better for your race car. For any street vehicle, if you are getting your brakes hot enough to matter, you are doing it very wrong. The harder the pad is the longer it will last, and the shorter the life of the rotor. Softer pads wear more quickly, but the rotors will last longer.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

+1 with Wifisher.....I like organic or semi-metallic....rotors last a very long time with these...unless other problems occur,bad caliper and such

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

OK, back to the OP's question.

Basically, organics are the softest, ceramics are the hardest, and semi-mets are somewhere in the middle. The harder the pad is, the faster the rotor wears. Braking performance under normal conditions is not affected by the type of pad construction. A ceramic will not overheat as fast (more correctly, it will not fade as much when overheated), and therefore would be better for your race car. For any street vehicle, if you are getting your brakes hot enough to matter, you are doing it very wrong. The harder the pad is the longer it will last, and the shorter the life of the rotor. Softer pads wear more quickly, but the rotors will last longer.

+1 on this answer.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

Not sure where you guys get your info that ceramics wear rotors faster than semi-metallics.
http://www.tirerack.com/brakes/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=88

I love ceramics. A lot less brake dust on the wheels. My 2005 Lexus GS300 has 130K miles with original rotors and ceramic pads. The 2004 Ford F-150 that I had generated a ridiculous amount of brake dust until I switched to ceramics. I will only put ceramics on my vehicles.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Replacement brake Pads

OK, back to the OP's question.

Basically, organics are the softest, ceramics are the hardest, and semi-mets are somewhere in the middle. The harder the pad is, the faster the rotor wears. Braking performance under normal conditions is not affected by the type of pad construction. A ceramic will not overheat as fast (more correctly, it will not fade as much when overheated), and therefore would be better for your race car. For any street vehicle, if you are getting your brakes hot enough to matter, you are doing it very wrong. The harder the pad is the longer it will last, and the shorter the life of the rotor. Softer pads wear more quickly, but the rotors will last longer.

This is how I look at it also. Anytime you have two wear items, with that much constant use, one will wear the other out if they are not close to equal in material. Throw metalic pads on and watch your rotors get trashed (pads will look new). Use Organics or soft pads and they will wear quicker but rotors will be fine.
I use what the factory put on and usually get 70K out of them. I never used ceramics but I dont have a sports car now.