Switching to Bendix Fleet Metlok Semi-Metallic pads!

N

Navi

Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Messages
773
Location
NYC
All my cars come with ceramic pads. The result is when braking it feels like sponges are between the calipers and rotors. No good! So I looked for semi-metallics and all the reviews are good for Bendix.

I understand about dusting and rotor wear.

So I ordered some on RockAuto. Will be here tommorrow and will go from there...not very expensive at $36 per set. Will update.

My 2023 GMC Yukon brakes were bad when new and they still bad today. For $3000 extra I could have gotten the Brembo upgrade package. I didnt think I would need it but then when it came time to actually stopping...now I can see why they have that option!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Although everything is always a compromise somehow, I think for a daily driver, ceramic is the best overall. I agree if you're towing or hauling a lot, and don't mind harsher braking action, semi-metallic becomes a worthy contender.
 
Squishy pads will soak up feel, but the master/booster combination can take out some of the brake feedback. Lotta things between your foot and the rotor.
 
I have tried a vast number of brake pads in the past such as...

Motorcraft Super Duty which were great but dusted way too much.

Akebono regular and sport. The regular Akebono last the longest of any brake pad. The sport version I could feel the effect but they did not last as long. Same for Raybestos EHT and Wagner OEX.

Wagner Severe Service. This was the best brake pad I ever had! It did not produce a lot of dust and it was indeed very durable. I understand the material is semi-metallic. There was one vehicle I had that called for semi-metallic pads and from experimenting the Wagner Severe Service was best...however, its only for a limited number of vehicles.

Stock pads...the stock pads are usually regular Akebono ceramics. Feels like I am stopping a boat!

So now im putting lots of miles on the 2023s I have and its time for a pad change. I looked at the Centric Fleet Performance but I only found 1 review for it and I did not know anything about "aramid" pads. However, I did see lots and lots of positive reviews for Bendix Fleet Metlok. They kind of sound like Wagner Severe Service. So I decided I will give it a try....
 
Navi said:
I have tried a vast number of brake pads in the past such as...

Motorcraft Super Duty which were great but dusted way too much.

Akebono regular and sport. The regular Akebono last the longest of any brake pad. The sport version I could feel the effect but they did not last as long. Same for Raybestos EHT and Wagner OEX.

Wagner Severe Service. This was the best brake pad I ever had! It did not produce a lot of dust and it was indeed very durable. I understand the material is semi-metallic. There was one vehicle I had that called for semi-metallic pads and from experimenting the Wagner Severe Service was best...however, its only for a limited number of vehicles.

Stock pads...the stock pads are usually regular Akebono ceramics. Feels like I am stopping a boat!

So now im putting lots of miles on the 2023s I have and its time for a pad change. I looked at the Centric Fleet Performance but I only found 1 review for it and I did not know anything about "aramid" pads. However, I did see lots and lots of positive reviews for Bendix Fleet Metlok. They kind of sound like Wagner Severe Service. So I decided I will give it a try....
Click to expand...
I've found the newer generation pads in carbon-ceramic-metallic compounds give great performance, tolerable dusting etc. We're currently running Raybestos EHT with great results in street cars and trialling a local brand called Bremtec Evolve which seems pretty decent.
I hope you don't mind once you get these can you report back on the compound just for interest sake?
 
One thing I discovered is these Bendix pads are old school. I found reviews dating back to 2002. So they been out there a long time. Hundreds of reviews on Amazon mostly positive. Bendix has been in business since 1924.

Im open to trying new things but cant afford to be a beta-tester. I did try out Raybestos EHT but they simply did not last as long as I liked. The best ones so far are semi-metallic pads geared towards severe service like Wagner Severe Service.

The rotors I always use are from the Raybestos specialty line and they advertise them as being higher in carbon. Never had issues with them and no warping even with semi-metallic pads. Raybestos makes most products for AC Delco gold line and also for NAPA.

Im done with ceramics and hybrid pads. On a serious work vehicle you need something more aggressive. A commuter can get away with the spongey OE Akebonos.

https://www.bendix-brakes.com/bendix_fleet_metlock.php

https://www.tirereview.com/bendix-offers-fleet-metlok-for-severe-duty-applications/

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Bendix pads are similar to Carquest WearEver, Duralast Gold/Elite and BrakeBest Select/ImportDirect - made in India by MAT Roulunds. Honeywell neglected the Bendix brand - Garrett licensed it to MAT Holdings. I remember as a kid, the parts house and even Grand Auto sold Bendix brakes.

Trucks for a long time got semi-metallic pads. The reason the OEs install “ceramic” is NVH. Metallic friction doesn’t “bite” well until they get hot. In your case, NYC livery(or even a Uber/Lyft driver in SF/LA), your brakes will get a chance to get somewhat warm. Toyota uses ceramic as default, and now that GM is using Akebono or Mando brakes on their trucks, the same is true. For suburban driving and non-trailering, it’s fine. I’d switch over to semi-metallic if you trailer or haul heavy stuff, or use it as a work truck.
 
Navi said:
I have tried a vast number of brake pads in the past such as...

Motorcraft Super Duty which were great but dusted way too much.

Akebono regular and sport. The regular Akebono last the longest of any brake pad. The sport version I could feel the effect but they did not last as long. Same for Raybestos EHT and Wagner OEX.

Wagner Severe Service. This was the best brake pad I ever had! It did not produce a lot of dust and it was indeed very durable. I understand the material is semi-metallic. There was one vehicle I had that called for semi-metallic pads and from experimenting the Wagner Severe Service was best...however, its only for a limited number of vehicles.

Stock pads...the stock pads are usually regular Akebono ceramics. Feels like I am stopping a boat!

So now im putting lots of miles on the 2023s I have and its time for a pad change. I looked at the Centric Fleet Performance but I only found 1 review for it and I did not know anything about "aramid" pads. However, I did see lots and lots of positive reviews for Bendix Fleet Metlok. They kind of sound like Wagner Severe Service. So I decided I will give it a try....
Click to expand...
I put those severe service on my F350.
Can't say I'm overly impressed.

They get so hot they smoke but don't stop any better than what I had before.
 
Navi said:
All my cars come with ceramic pads. The result is when braking it feels like sponges are between the calipers and rotors. No good! So I looked for semi-metallics and all the reviews are good for Bendix.

I understand about dusting and rotor wear.

So I ordered some on RockAuto. Will be here tommorrow and will go from there...not very expensive at $36 per set. Will update.

My 2023 GMC Yukon brakes were bad when new and they still bad today. For $3000 extra I could have gotten the Brembo upgrade package. I didnt think I would need it but then when it came time to actually stopping...now I can see why they have that option!
Click to expand...
I always wondered about the dealer installed option. Would most dealers keep the 2 new calipers and 2 new rotors of the customer didn’t say anything? I for one would like six piston calipers and 16” rotors. The way I see it is if I pay $3,000, I should get the old hardware returned.

I won’t lie I’ve NEVER had noise issues with ceramic Akebono ProACTs and various rotors, OE to aftermarket.

I’ve always had brake squeal with BMW OE semi metallic pads and OE rotors. Not initially. 20k down the road. Annoying but I live with it and turn up the Harmon Kardon. I wouldn’t want that on a family car like say a Tahoe. Even the dealer in good will removed all 4 and cleaned and apple paste when car was new and I first got the noise.
 
Navi said:
One thing I discovered is these Bendix pads are old school. I found reviews dating back to 2002. So they been out there a long time. Hundreds of reviews on Amazon mostly positive. Bendix has been in business since 1924.
Click to expand...
 
I’d be interested in how they do. I moved our cars and others I work on over to EHT. They are wonderful in my half ton, and their formulation for the Lexus sedan we used to own was spot-on as well. Generally low dust, pedal feel is much better, and superior bite. However, two sets I installed this year were a noise disaster. On one car I ended up swapping the fronts out with something else after every trick I had failed to work, which included roughing up both sides of the rotors (new, btw) with a belt sander. That has always worked as a last result. GMBoy mentioned they changed their manufacturer for these recently. I swapped that vehicle to the akebono ASP (not ACT). They have that similar pine-wood feel to them, but the bite is similar to the metallics. I may try the ASPs on the next couple of vehicles my friends ask for help with.
 
meep said:
I’d be interested in how they do. I moved our cars and others I work on over to EHT. They are wonderful in my half ton, and their formulation for the Lexus sedan we used to own was spot-on as well. Generally low dust, pedal feel is much better, and superior bite. However, two sets I installed this year were a noise disaster. On one car I ended up swapping the fronts out with something else after every trick I had failed to work, which included roughing up both sides of the rotors (new, btw) with a belt sander. That has always worked as a last result. GMBoy mentioned they changed their manufacturer for these recently. I swapped that vehicle to the akebono ASP (not ACT). They have that similar pine-wood feel to them, but the bite is similar to the metallics. I may try the ASPs on the next couple of vehicles my friends ask for help with.
Click to expand...
latest set of EHT squeal cold in reverse but they are in 1001 Brembo shape without ears.
Set fitted to wifes BMW September last year are perfection. Front EHT pads seem to be very similar compound to rear OE MSport pads. Functionality identical.
 
LordNilesStandish said:
latest set of EHT squeal cold in reverse but they are in 1001 Brembo shape without ears.
Set fitted to wifes BMW September last year are perfection. Front EHT pads seem to be very similar compound to rear OE MSport pads. Functionality identical.
Click to expand...
I have liked the EHT front pads on BMW E90, no squeal, no dust, good power
 
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