Brake Pad Advice.

N80 · Jun 6, 2016

I've got a 2003 F150 XLT. The brakes have never been what I'd call great. They are adequate. I drove my son-in-law's 2012 F150 the other day and the brakes are far superior.

The tires are too big for the truck and that does not help either. They are reaching the end and will be replaced in the next few months. I'll go back to stock size.

I'm towing a lot more than I used to and would like to optimize brake performance.

The only thing I can really modify on these brakes is the pads. I can change the brake fluid but I don't think that is part of the problem.

So, I'm looking on advice for brake pads with better initial bite and better overall grip than OEM or OEM replacement pads. Brakes won't typically see high temps so that is not a big concern. The only pads I'm even aware of for better grip in trucks and tow vehicles is EBC Yellowstuff pads. Used them on the racetrack (once) but never in a truck. So looking for advice for some good grippy pads. I do not care about dust and noise if that is an issue.

Citydude · Jun 6, 2016

I have a 2003 F250. The brakes have always been subpar. I've changed the pads with little difference. Hoping to learn what comes out of this.

N80 · Jun 7, 2016

I've been doing a little research but not finding much. Hawk makes a pad for tow vehicles. I've used their racing pads before and they are good stuff. I'm used to paying $300 and up for racing pads. It looks like a set of their pads for tow vehicles will run around $190. Not used to paying that much for truck pads but I'd do it if I knew they would make a difference. The EBC pads I mentioned above are another option but I have not priced them. I'm not finding much else.

Citydude · Jun 7, 2016

I changed the front stock rotors out for heat dispersing rotors and a good set of pads a couple of years ago with no improvement. Im of the opinion there is nothing out there that will improve performance without large $$$.

The Fred · Jun 7, 2016

Pad friction material choice is paramount here.

You need a very aggressive friction that will ruin the brake disc but also stop the truck safely
I used a set of Wagner severe duty on my 2008 Silverado 2500 because the stock pads were not aggressive enough on the brake discs. I was impressed at how well the truck stopped after that. Be prepared to replace brake rotors more often with these pads but they work.

Generic parts store brake friction is what I call junk friction, use something quality that works.

Good luck, Fred

Heavy Duty Brakes & Severe Duty Brake Pads | Wagner Brake

Citydude · Jun 7, 2016

Thanks Fred!

N80 · Jun 7, 2016

Fred is correct. With racing/track pads there is a wide range of friction choices and heat resistance. I expect that there is at least some range of choices for truck/towing pads I just have not been able to find it. The downsides to improved friction and heat resistance are cost, noise, dust and rotor wear.

Fred, I will do some research on the Wagner pads. It sounds like what I need. Thanks. My truck does not get a lot of daily mileage so rotor wear won't be a big issue. Which is good because the front rotors are part of the hub assembly on my truck. There may be a good reason for that but seems like one of the stupidest design 'features' I've ever seen. There is no reason I know of that changing rotors shouldn't be quick, simple and easy. It has been on all my other vehicles.

radioman · Jun 7, 2016

have you replaced your brake fluid with new yet? sometimes with contaminated fluid it wont have that non compressed feel.

N80 · Jun 7, 2016

I'm not sure the fluid has ever been replaced. Maybe once. That is good advice and I will change it when I do the pads. However, in this case I don't think it is the problem. The pedal feel is okay, it just feels like there isn't much grip. This is nothing new; always been like this. I don't really notice it that much until I drive someone else's truck with better brakes or when I've got a load in the bed. When towing a trailer the trailer brakes make up for the difference.

For any of you who change brake fluid often, I highly recommend a product called the Motive Power Bleeder. It allows you to do a full brake job by yourself. No need to have someone pumping the brake pedal. Seems pricey (~$65) but I consider it priceless. A very simple device with a hand pump, a reservoir, a pressure gauge and a cap that screws onto your master cylinder reservoir.

The Fred · Jun 7, 2016

What you"ll notice with aggressive friction is reduced pedal pressure.

Personally I could care less about rotor wear or dust on the wheels, or squealing. Wash your nice truck more often, you will appreciate the better stopping power.

I can't stand any ceramic brake pads they just don't get the job done for me.

Ask any racer or drag racer you know for good brake pad advice, most of those guys have experience trying different frictions and could give their opinions here as well.

I had an old Volvo with a 500hp (dynoed) LS1 vette motor and the brakes I used in the end were EBC red. They worked very well at the end of the 1/4 mile.

One weekend I raced with cheap brake pads I had scarfed out of a set of loaded brake calipers I had; at the end of the 1/4 mile I darn near crapped myself.

Got rid of those pads the next week before I raced again. When I look for brake friction for my personal cars I try to use German specified friction that is R90 or 90R rated. Most of these frictions are quite aggressive and make tons of brake dust and wear the brake discs clean. I love it when my cars stop well.

ECE Regulation 9 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another thing you will notice is the more aggressive the friction is the brake rotors will shine more or look more like bare metal. If you have a GM or any domestic vehicle you will notice a brown shade or tint on the braking surface of the rotor, this is because the OEM specified friction is designed to NOT wear the brake disc. Instead they deposit a substance on the brake disc that improves the coefficient of friction and keeps the discs looking brown. Another good note is if you can see original machining marks in the brake discs after a few months then the friction you chose is not very aggressive.

Whatever you choose let us know the results and good luck, Fred