Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

ezbtr

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My "lifetime, for mfg. defect." Raybestos/Brutestop pads need replacing, they worked well but always squeaked.(2 yrs or so) I'm hearing bout ceramics and using Bendix, that are real good and dont squeak. Please let me know how they are rated. Thx, Heinz
 

LubeDude

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

I have always used and had great results with Rabestos. The squeaking usually is due to not turning the rotors before installing them and not using an anti squeeking compound under the pads.
 

ezbtr

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

The ones I have on are Raybestos semi metallic BruteStops, worked great bu always squeaked even though I turned rotors and used squeakstop silicon on pads. Just high metal compound. Squeaked lots less when hot though. Will look into ceramics, supposed to be better wear and NO squeak, will do this wknd. Thanks though,
 

POINTER94

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

Heinz,<br /><br />The ceramic brakes are fine for day to day but you will find them a little slippery if you pull a trailer. They don't have the same gripping ability as the raybestos semi-metalic. Yes the ceramic disapate heat better and I have found they don't hurt the rotors as much but that is an impression not a fact.<br /><br />I would be careful if this was my primary tow vehicle and you don't have trailer brakes. I would use 20% greater pressure as an idea of what you can expect. Other than that, I like them and use them on my automobiles...OEM on my olds. :) <br /><br />Check out this site I have bought tires and parts from them for the past 8 months and have been very satisfied. I just picked up a set of Yokahama's for my olds intrigue and they transformed the car into something I look forward to driving... :D <br /><br /> http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

But which ones are best for stop and go?<br />100 mile ever day on mail route.
 

POINTER94

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

SBN,<br /><br />This is one of those Ford/Chevy arguements. I like the ceramic on my car. The lower heat transfered by the ceramic should allow you rotors to last longer and provide extended wear for the pads. They tend to leave less brake dust on your rims and they don't squeek.<br /><br />Downside, they are more expensive than standard replacement pads, and in my opinion they provide a somewhat vague feel with slightly increased stopping distances. Personally when I get a pant load and slam the brakes the ABS kicks in long before the limits of these shoes are reached. But with my wandering mind, an extra foot or two in traffic can sometimes result in being somewhat closer to the vehicle in front of me than I would like. I solved this by moving to the country.. :D I like the dependable and predictable feel of the raybestos brake shoes, yes they wear out but they give me just what I am looking for which is critical when trailering a load.... (45 minutes to put on a new set every couple of years, I did my Bronco two weekends ago in the driveway on Sunday morning before anyone was awake.) :D <br /><br />Stop and go - I would use them (ceramic), and difference in stopping distances you will figure out and get used to. (Slight increase in pedal pressure) They now have Kevlar brake shoes that are supposed to provide the best of both worlds. 75-100 bucks a pair. Check the above web site under the performance upgrade section.
 

jimr

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

I put ac delco durastop pads on my truck right after i bought it in 98 because the top of the line wagners that were on there squealed bad. that was at 42000 miles now at 115000 i have never had a squeal and they are still in good shape. the parts salesman i used to deal with told me to just throw them on without turning the rotors and if they squealed he would give me 2 rotors and any pad i wanted. i got them at cost and i think they were 60 bucks then and will buy them again if i ever have to.
 

ezbtr

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

Boy those Durastops sound great! I went ahead and put same Brute Stops on yest., so far NO squeak, I did put silicone on back of pads and greased all bolts, calipers etc. Seem to work great! Had about 25% left on old pads, rotors looked fine. Thanks,
 
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DJ

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

Does anybody ever consider OEM pads? I won't use anything else.<br /><br />They were/are designed for the vehicle and have thoroughly tested to match the chassis. NO aftermarket brake lining can match that.<br /><br />Some people think thst aftermarket pads must meet the OEM specs. Not true. Also, they are NOT tested to meet OEM spec's stopping distances.<br /><br />Brakes are by far the most important part of a vehicle, yet people do not replace the friction material with what was designed for it.
 

Spidybot

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

DJ, just a note:<br /><br />I won't say anything against OEM, but...<br /><br />Aftermarket brakes, if picked carefully, outperforms OEM with ease. No serious hi-perf car driver would use OEMs. When upgrading a car one of the first things to decide on is brakes. Larger rotors, large friction area pads, calipers with more pistons. Pads and rotors that cope with higher temps, are better self cleaning and much more.<br /><br />Did you ever see a pro racing car with standard chicken brakes? I'm sure not.<br /><br />For standard use of a standard car, OEMs work fine. For more serious use, more serious gear is needed. Even regarding brakes and there are plenty semi pro pads for standard rotors that copes with heat and/or has better friction than standard. Recommended for heavy duty, high loads or extended use of brakes.<br /><br />Some of the suppliers: <br /> http://www.ebcbrakes.com/ <br /> http://www.brembo.com/ <br /> http://www.overboost.com/obs/browse_cat.asp?cat_id=14&cat_name=Brakes
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

Originally posted by DJ:<br />Does anybody ever consider OEM pads? I won't use anything else.<br /><br />They were/are designed for the vehicle and have thoroughly tested to match the chassis.
That might be true in everyday nomal driving conditions but this is not normal conditions I operate in.
 
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DJ

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

UU,<br /><br />You're talking about MODIFYING a braking system for racing. They don't have to worry about a child on bike darting out in front of them. Not making a standard one perform to its best ALL AROUND efficiency.<br /><br />OEM pads are not "chicken". They're are specifically designed and the " friction formula" calibrated for the chassis. <br /><br />You want fade resistance, you're going to give up stopping distance.<br /><br />You want stopping distance, you're going to give up wear and fads.<br /><br />There's no magic here. Those are the facts.<br /><br />My point is that NO aftermarket pad HAS TO (nor do they test for) meeting FMVSS standards for performance as to the combination of fade, stopping distance and wear. They only test they have to meet is that they fit......<br /><br />I've tested them. They give up something.
 

ezbtr

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

Actually some OEM pads are just fine, but Jeeps(91-93 XJ CHerokee) in particular had two inherent weaknesses, first front brakes were OK for light duty use, I had OEM when I first got it and hated em, too long stopping distance and mushy feel - I tow at times so I NEED the extra stopping power semimetallics have, I love em, some squeaks but stop MUCH better, second Jeeps had borderline cooling systems, I upgraded mine to 3 row, and HD fan and electric fan. Just my reason for not using SOME OEM parts.
 

POINTER94

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

OEM is always a balancing act between price, quality and performance. Do you think that the OEM tires on a Dodge Neon are the best available. Plain and simple. NO. Could they use cross drilled rotors on all cars and trucks? Yep.. Do they? Nope.<br /><br />How about oil. Anyones new buick come with Mobile one? The Corvette does.. Are the exhaust manifolds backfiled and polished? Nope, but they could be. And your car would breath better. Spark plug wires, best available nope. As I idicated, above I use OEM equivantent brake pads on my car, but to think that the use of OEM is always, frequently, or sometimes the best I would have to disagree. On my bronco alone there are four different front end assemblies all utilizing the same chasis. (Two different suspension packages and two different brake packages)<br /><br />There is a lot of accountant driven engineering going on in all areas of products including auto's. I will agree that putting oem parts will not hurt you but when working your vehicle within specific envelopes of performance (racing, towing, off roading, etc), you can frequently improve your vehicle by examining the aftermarket product offerings.<br /><br />Not arguing with DJ, just my experiences in new product development, and cars. ;)
 
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DJ

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

We'll have to agree to disagree.
 

KennyKenCan

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Re: Ok which pads best, towing longevity? XJ?

I have Raybestos Ceramic brake pads in my K1500 Blazer, and I have not experienced any of the complaints, especially towing!<br /><br />The ceramics stop my truck 15ft shorter than the last set of brakes I had, and there is a substantial improvement in braking while towing a trailer without brakes, without any brake fade what-so-ever!<br /><br />I'm really impressed with the way these ceramic brakes work, and would recommend them over any other brake pads.<br /><br />Almost every form of auto racing in the U.S. uses ceramic brakes on their race cars, so they must know something!<br /><br />Bottom line, ceramics work best for trailering, for me anyway.
 
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