Brake Pad recommendation

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I was just perusing the Rockauto website and see pads listed for my focus from 22.99 all the way up to 55.00.

What are all you other focus drivers using? I'm not sure if mine are the original pads or not.. I would have to assume not.
 
If you dont mind spend a little extra coin, I'd get the Akebono ceramics at 55. otherwise the monroe ceramics for 35. I noticed a big difference on my car with the Akebonos. seriously.
 
On a Ford (not Focus) I put on Wagner Thermoquiet which for my application happened to be ceramic.

I am really impressed. I notice no difference when they are cold or when it is wet. The braking feel is precise, predictable and progressive.

And I got them for $14 after rebate.

Firestone use them as part of their standard brake job and they come with a lifetime warranty.

The research I did suggested the Wagner's were superior to the Monroe's.
 
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Brake pads are like ice cream, there's a flavor for everyone.

But around here we have been using NAPA adaptive one for years, it's one of the best street pads out there.

For my trucks we have a few running TQ's, and they seem to be nice.
 
Sure there are lots of 'flavors' but what works well in one application may not do well in another. Wagner TQ's are great pads and the tech support that we get from them is great.

But, I've had a couple of issues with TQ's and shall I say 'aggressive drivers'. I usually swap out the TQs for Akebonos .

TQ's are quite a bit cheaper at my store.

Wagner does offer a 'severe duty' (SX prefix) pad but these are usually for trucks and SUV's. These pads are almost always semi-metallic not ceramic.
 
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
If you dont mind spend a little extra coin, I'd get the Akebono ceramics at 55. otherwise the monroe ceramics for 35. I noticed a big difference on my car with the Akebonos. seriously.


I agree with rjacket: I recently replaced my truck's Monroe Ceramics with Wagner ThermoQuiet. The Wagner ThermoQuiet has a much better initial 'grab' than the Monroe's.

So, 2 votes against the Monroe Ceramics.
 
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I don't have a Focus, but have used Wagner Thermo Quiet on a Taurus, I wasn't impressed with either the performance or longevity.

Having used many brands on many vehicles for many uses I've become an advocate of OEM pads in most situations, particularly if noise is important to you. Most aftermarket pads do not include the insulators that OEM pads do and many won't allow you to use the existing ones.

For more performance oriented pads where noise is less a consideration, I've had excellent luck with Hawk HPS.
 
For OEM feel with low dust, a good ceramic like Akenono should do.

If you're looking for a performance type pad, I've used Stoptech Street Performance pads on a Mazda 3 Hatch with great results paired with Centric Premium rotors. I've also used the rebranded for truck equivalent Centric Fleet pads with the same success on my 4Runner with Tundra calipers. Pros - Great cold bite, light pedal force yet linear modulation, higher friction coefiicient, low noise, longevity, OEM like cost; Cons - dust
 
Brake pads have ratings stamped on them.
Like EE, EF, FF, and so on. The first letter is warm braking friction, and the second hot braking friction.
E is less than F, which is less than G, etc.
Napa's adaptive pads simply use different pad ratings on the inside and out. I don't care for this approach.

So look to this for important information.
Ceramics make less dust [or at least it does not stick or you can't see it!].
 
Have been using Akebono pads for the past 5 years on all my personal vehicles and family maintenced vehicles and have been very impress with the performance, quiteness, and lack of dust that these pads provide. I wont buy anything else unless I knew I was getting rid of a vehicle.
 
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