Brake pad upgrade?

[DrDusty86]

I have posted about doing some minor upgrades to my Escort zx2.
I am now looking to upgrade the front pads from the $17 cheap lifetime AZ pads to the $31 ceramic pads. He said just pay the difference. Will the ceramics stop better? What about noise and dust? Are the ceramics "worth it"?
Thanks,
Dusty

 

[eljefino]

Try to find friction ratings for both. They're printed on the pad material itself if you can't find a spec sheet.

Will be something like EE or FF, later in the alphabet is better. First is cold, 2nd hot performance.

Ceramics have a rep for being less dusty. If you want noticeable change, you may have to mail order some EBC Greenstuff or similar.

 

[FusilliJerry82]

I made the same move; not a huge difference in stopping power, but a huge bump in longevity.

 

[DrDusty86]

Was there a noticeable difference in stopping?

 

[dparm]

Ceramic is not less dusty. By definition, dusty = better stopping.

Ceramics simply produce lighter-colored dust which is harder to see.

 

[Johnny248]

Most likely the pads will not make much of a difference in stopping power. If you really want to increase your grab, you will have to find some pads with a harsher friction rating than what you have now. They could be any sort of formula. EBC pads are pretty good if you don't mind spending the extra money.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Ceramics are good for longevity and less dust, but they really don't work better than semi-metallics. GENERALLY, they just don't have very good initial bite, especially when cold.

There are better choices if you want to upgrade your brakes from a performance standpoint.

 

[offroadrider12]

Here is what I've found on my pickups.

Ceramic--whiter dust, harder to see. Stops good, pads wear longer, rotors wear quicker, seems easier to warp rotors with ceramics.

Semi-metallic--darker dust, more visible. Stop great, pads have shorter life, cheaper, rotors wear less, rotors don't seem to warp quite as easily as with ceramics.

 

[mechtech2]

Ceramics DO seem to run cleaner. I don't think it is only the color of the residue. The composition does not seem to stick like metallic residue.

That said, I'd go for best braking. Look on the side of the pad for the rating. It is like oil, with a low temp and a high temp rating. These are friction coefficient ratings.
E grabs less than F, which is less than G. You will see EE, EF, FF, and so on. Motorcycles often have the GG or better pads.
So get an FF pad or better.

I have used all sorts of pads on my ZX2. From stock to expensive Hawk pads. Right now, I believe I have AZ metallic in FF. Good as any.

 

[wiswind]

I like Akebono, made in USA, and for my car have the FF rating.
Not all "Ceramic" pads are created equal.
Akebono is viewed by many as one of the better "Ceramic" pads.
I bought mine through Rockauto.

 

[mikefxu]

I like my Hawk HPS's, little dirty, but my car has been downgraded to a beater, so its all good.

 

[CharBaby]

I only drive regular cars/SUVs(no diesel pickups w/trailer) and don't tow/haul anything but people.

I have up graded to ceramic pad in my vehicles that didn't have them OE. I don't knotice any better stopping power/bite but, no less power/bite either.

The ceramic brake dust is typicaly lighter in color but not always(it could be black/gray). The dust from ceramic pads is not supposed to impregnate into aluminum wheels adding to the already pitting effects over time of aluminum especially during salty winters. And ceramic pads are also supposed to be more rotor friendly. My experience for both issues has been very good...Rotors seem to last much longer and aluminum wheels seem to clean up easier.

I have had brakes that made noise "from one time or another". Wheather it was the first thing in the morning after a rain when backing out of the driveway(GROOOOAAN) or driving through downtown city traffic on a hot summer day and lots of stopping(SQUEEEEEL) or just that aggressive sounding metal to metal contact when braking. And I'm talking about when the brakes are in new/near new condition. My daughters Mazda 3 experienced all three of these noises daily(and they were in good shape) so, I change them over to ceramic pads on all four corners. Hasn't made a noise since and stopping power/bite is the same which was good!

IMHO, stopping power with ceramic pads are very good in all situations including very hot and cold outside tempuratures summer/winter, long driving situations or stop-n-go in the city, etc. Even when driving on long family vacations(not towing anything) but, while still carrying luggage and people through the mountains of PA, WVa, Va, NC, SC all the way down to GA. Never an issue stopping down hill or in the wet or both. Just smooth/quiet braking power.

I can't answer for brake fade while using ceramic brakes as I never esperience any fade while in city traffic and making lot's of stops. One may experience brake fade under very hard repeated stopping during aggressive driving such as oval track racing/street driving or with a heavy duty truck while towing/hauling. Not me!

And to end my review of ceramic pads is: that the ceramic pads always feel the same and the pedal always feels the same wheather it's during the HOT summer and brutaly COLD winter even when driving through that sloppy slush.

 

[SteveSRT8]

It is a serious error to assume because the word 'ceramic' is on the label that the pad is automatically superior.

Brake pads are like ice cream. There are a million flavors.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
It is a serious error to assume because the word 'ceramic' is on the label that the pad is automatically superior.

Brake pads are like ice cream. There are a million flavors.


What should one assume about Wagner TQ semi-metallic vs ceramic pads for same vehicle and close to the same price.

 

[SteveSRT8]

We run thermo q's on our fleet trucks. They are a smooth long lasting pad.

But in my limited experience the semi metallics will be better stopping under adverse conditions, and will produce more dust and noise/vibration.

The same distinctions cannot be assumed of other manufacturers. Many have caught on to the consumer's preference for 'ceramic' pads and are marketing them as the second coming!

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
We run thermo q's on our fleet trucks. They are a smooth long lasting pad.

But in my limited experience the semi metallics will be better stopping under adverse conditions, and will produce more dust and noise/vibration.

The same distinctions cannot be assumed of other manufacturers. Many have caught on to the consumer's preference for 'ceramic' pads and are marketing them as the second coming!


You run TQ semi-metallic or ceramic on fleet trucks?

 

[VK56VD]

Does anybody know the friction rating of Bendix CT-3 Ceramic pads?

 

[EricF]

the CT-3's I saw one time were FF

I did see one set of Bendix's that read GG, but I can't remember what they were for..

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Spartuss
Does anybody know the friction rating of Bendix CT-3 Ceramic pads?


The ones I put on my Hyundai were GG rated. The OE pads were FF rated.

Here's a link to the full thread (ignore the B-S from some members questioning the country of origin of these pads. They're made in Canada).

Link to CT-3 pics/review

 

[MonumentOiler]

Originally Posted By: wiswind
I like Akebono, made in USA, and for my car have the FF rating.
Not all "Ceramic" pads are created equal.
Akebono is viewed by many as one of the better "Ceramic" pads.
I bought mine through Rockauto.


I have had good experience with Akebono ProAct pads.

RockAuto is a good place to look.