Good pad and rotor combo for a heavy SUV

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Hey folks I have some centric rotors and Akebono performance ultra ceramic pads for my ford flex. It is a heavy vehicle and I loaded it up heavy and drive a lot through SE PA mountains and WNY hills and tend to brake aggressively and late.
Never had problems with brake fading or anything like that but my brakes do last a short time. I will give the akebonos a try. I also read good things about hawk LTS pads made for trucks and SUVs?
Do rotors themselves make a noticeable difference in feel and stopping distance in a calmly driven SUV brake feel?

 

[Jetronic]

No, rotors mostly make a difference in squeal. Pads rated for higher temperatures do last longer in hard use.

Stopping distance is dictated by the tyres, ultimately.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

No, rotors mostly make a difference in squeal. Pads rated for higher temperatures do last longer in hard use.

Stopping distance is dictated by the tyres, ultimately.

Ah right most modern brakes have enough power to lock up tires.
Didn't know about temperature ratings.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I used the Hawk LTS on my Sequoia. I was happy with them.

Driving habits are hard to change but normally safer and more fuel efficient to get in to looking further ahead, coasting some etc. This is especially true when dealing with heavier loads, trailers etc.

I had done some slotted/drilled rotors but the noise drove my wife crazy. Best compromise was the better pads and factory Rotors. Other quality rotors like Centric, Powerstop with a coating would be good also.

Best braking and probably longer lasting are semi-metallic BUT you deal with more squeal and dust. Police, taxi etc normally run them for a reason.

Even being good 99% of the time there might be occasions where they get a "bit" warmer than normal and will wear faster.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

I am not sure about semi metallics for the flex. Last semi metallics I had chewed through the rotor really fast and at the end of the rotor life warped the rotor.

 

[The_Jeff]

I would keep doing what you're doing. I don't think I've ever worn a set of pads out. Always get some issue like rotors rusting from non-use, a stuck pin, a pad ear that swells from rusts and gets stuck in the bracket, etc.

How fast is fast? 30k miles? Slap another set on and rock on.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Hey folks I have some centric rotors and Akebono performance ultra ceramic pads for my ford flex. It is a heavy vehicle and I loaded it up heavy and drive a lot through SE PA mountains and WNY hills and tend to brake aggressively and late.
Never had problems with brake fading or anything like that but my brakes do last a short time. I will give the akebonos a try. I also read good things about hawk LTS pads made for trucks and SUVs?
Do rotors themselves make a noticeable difference in feel and stopping distance in a calmly driven SUV brake feel?

Larger rotors will give a little more thermal mass to delay the onset of brake fade and better brake performance if you also have to extend the distance of the caliper from the hub.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

I would keep doing what you're doing. I don't think I've ever worn a set of pads out. Always get some issue like rotors rusting from non-use, a stuck pin, a pad ear that swells from rusts and gets stuck in the bracket, etc.

How fast is fast? 30k miles? Slap another set on and rock on.

4800 pound car loaded with big cooler, ice, lots of camping gear, enough plate mail to do battle of agincourt 2.0 barreling up and down the Appalachian mountains for a 7 hour trip to and 7 hours back. The views are great and the flex is the only car with so much driver space, I dare say way better than ford explorer even. The price to pay is the brake wear.

 

[97prizm]

Hey folks I have some centric rotors and Akebono performance ultra ceramic pads for my ford flex. It is a heavy vehicle and I loaded it up heavy and drive a lot through SE PA mountains and WNY hills and tend to brake aggressively and late.
Never had problems with brake fading or anything like that but my brakes do last a short time. I will give the akebonos a try. I also read good things about hawk LTS pads made for trucks and SUVs?
Do rotors themselves make a noticeable difference in feel and stopping distance in a calmly driven SUV brake feel?

The rotor quality is all over the map as are brake pads. I've read that the EBC's work well. I have hawk blues on my Mazda race car and they absolutely chew up rotten until they get hot. One thing that you can do is have the rotors cryo treated. A number of scca drivers I've met say it makes their rotors last longer.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

All versions are a tradeoffs.

I put in '18 Flex on RA. You could look at maybe Powerstop Z36 or other truck/tow. Advics was also mentioned in many posts. IMO stay away from the Raybestos Element 3. Mine all had issues of fast wear recently. You can grab the RA discount code here on forum.

'18 Flex RA Pads

Totally different, maybe grab some Autozone Elite lifetime pads. Should be easy to get and if your rotors are still good, easy to swap and get replaced so life won't matter as much.

I just did them on daughters CRV as I needed something close, in stock as she was leaving in a day or two. Beware the first couple brake times has a coating supposed to wear into the rotor. Sounds like full grind like you messed something up.

 

[edyvw]

I am not sure about semi metallics for the flex. Last semi metallics I had chewed through the rotor really fast and at the end of the rotor life warped the rotor.

That greatly depends on the manufacturer.
Flex has average weight for it size. However, brakes are not that big. Front brakes on 3.5 V6 are only 325mm diameter. The minimum weight of Flex is around 4,400lbs and 4,800lbs in full package. To give you some comparison, the brake rotor on E90 BMW 328, which weighs around 3,350lbs, RWD base model, is 328mm.
So, the problem you have is that there is not much of a brake to dissipate that heat. When you pair that with a mediocre manufacturer, you get short life, warping, vibrations, etc. Akebono is a reputable manufacturer. They are not performance pads by any means. If you want performance, look elsewhere, primarily EBC, HAWK. I don't see Euro manufacturers making brake components for Flex except BOSCH, which is very generic.

 

[BrendanC]

carquest platinum ceramics on everything i own. dead quiet, good stopping power and virtually zero dust.

 

[UncleDave]

Frozen rotors/ rotor pros - and Hawk LTS pads.

 

[Johnny248]

I've had really good results with the PowerStop Z36 Pads and both their Evo Drilled/slotted and Evo coated rotors. We use them a lot at the shop and never have any issues.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

Powerstop drilled and slotted rotors.

Autozone Elite lifetime pads.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Hawk LTS pads and Powerstop Geomet coated rotors

 

[D1dad]

Frozen rotors/ rotor pros - and Hawk LTS pads.

How are frozen rotors? I’ve looked at them but can’t plop down that much money unless I’m dang sure they’re worth it.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Hawk LTS pads and Powerstop Geomet coated rotors

They don't make pads for HD flex brakes

 

[slacktide_bitog]

They don't make pads for HD flex brakes

EBC Ultimax2/Blackstuff is a good choice and they make them for your Flex with heavy duty brakes.

 

[UncleDave]

How are frozen rotors? I’ve looked at them but can’t plop down that much money unless I’m dang sure they’re worth it.

They were pretty good.
I had a chevy 1500 I towed with that was a notorious pad imprinter before I landed on Hawks.
I got 2x the life out of frozens Vs stock OEM.