30k miles ago, I changes the brake pads on my 2007 Lincoln Navigator. Due to the continuous issue of picking up customer trailers with non-functional trailer brakes, I decided to beef up the brakes a little. After reading a lot of information and reviews, I decided to give the Hawk LTS pads a go.
From everything I read, there were definitely improvements in both stopping force and fade resistance to be had with the LTS pads. I purchased front and rear pads through Amazon, since they have a fantastic NQA return policy. At the same time, I decided to again flush my brake system with new Wildwood DOT4 brake fluid.
After I put everything in and broke in the pads according to Hawk's direction, I ran a few tests to see what exactly I would get. The difference between my old Wearever Frontline semi-metallic pads and these were night and day. Initial bite was nothing shocking, unless I gave about 40% pressure to the pedal. Then the beast comes out. Brakes went from being good and solid, to feeling like two anchors were thrown out of the back. I also discovered that not only are these pads fade resistant, but actually get meaner the hotter they get.
The first true test the LTS pads got was when we were hauling a 7 ton load, and the surge brakes on the trailer dumped the brake fluid leaving the trailer wire no brakes. Had to continue the trip, an entire 10 tons relying only on the truck's brakes. Braking was surprisingly good and predictable. Stopping distances were ridiculously short, enough so to manage the trailer even in stop and go traffic. When we stopped at a gas station to double check everything, I found that the brakes were so hot that the heat radiating from the wheel could be felt at 1 foot away from the wheel, but brake performance never suffered. Close, consecutive braking still resulting in an increase in braking force.
After 30k miles of this sort of abuse, nothing has changed.
This is not however, without its drawbacks. The rotors will not survive for a second service. The aggressiveness of the pad has thinned the rotors a good deal. At this rate, they'll be done by 50k miles. Given the abuse they've seen, I can't say I would call this abnormal, on the other hand.
Also, it is necessary to use something like CRC Disc Brake Quiet, or other tacky spray-on material on the backs of the pads, or they will squeal like a pig.
And of course, they are not cheap.
None of this has stopped me from having these installed in every service truck we have that they are made for, and also my Ram. My drivers immediately rendered positive feedback about the brakes, except for one who thought there was something wrong with his brakes because they stopped so well.
Hawk also offers an even more aggressive pad than the LTS, but I'm told it's severely aggressive and should be reserved for a dedicated tow vehicle. I'm not unsatisfied with what I have, so I feel no need to go any further.
From everything I read, there were definitely improvements in both stopping force and fade resistance to be had with the LTS pads. I purchased front and rear pads through Amazon, since they have a fantastic NQA return policy. At the same time, I decided to again flush my brake system with new Wildwood DOT4 brake fluid.
After I put everything in and broke in the pads according to Hawk's direction, I ran a few tests to see what exactly I would get. The difference between my old Wearever Frontline semi-metallic pads and these were night and day. Initial bite was nothing shocking, unless I gave about 40% pressure to the pedal. Then the beast comes out. Brakes went from being good and solid, to feeling like two anchors were thrown out of the back. I also discovered that not only are these pads fade resistant, but actually get meaner the hotter they get.
The first true test the LTS pads got was when we were hauling a 7 ton load, and the surge brakes on the trailer dumped the brake fluid leaving the trailer wire no brakes. Had to continue the trip, an entire 10 tons relying only on the truck's brakes. Braking was surprisingly good and predictable. Stopping distances were ridiculously short, enough so to manage the trailer even in stop and go traffic. When we stopped at a gas station to double check everything, I found that the brakes were so hot that the heat radiating from the wheel could be felt at 1 foot away from the wheel, but brake performance never suffered. Close, consecutive braking still resulting in an increase in braking force.
After 30k miles of this sort of abuse, nothing has changed.
This is not however, without its drawbacks. The rotors will not survive for a second service. The aggressiveness of the pad has thinned the rotors a good deal. At this rate, they'll be done by 50k miles. Given the abuse they've seen, I can't say I would call this abnormal, on the other hand.
Also, it is necessary to use something like CRC Disc Brake Quiet, or other tacky spray-on material on the backs of the pads, or they will squeal like a pig.
And of course, they are not cheap.
None of this has stopped me from having these installed in every service truck we have that they are made for, and also my Ram. My drivers immediately rendered positive feedback about the brakes, except for one who thought there was something wrong with his brakes because they stopped so well.
Hawk also offers an even more aggressive pad than the LTS, but I'm told it's severely aggressive and should be reserved for a dedicated tow vehicle. I'm not unsatisfied with what I have, so I feel no need to go any further.
