Brake pad advice ??

[ratterrier]

Hi,

I'm way overdue for a brake job on my '96 XLT and am wondering if anyone recommends an aftermarket pad as opposed to Ford's own parts ?? Are the OEM pads semi-metallics ??

I'd normally do this myself but have recently relocated and don't have all my shop equipment yet...so a AAA selected GoodYear place is doing the job and letting me bring in my own pads. Plus I'll probably need the rotors turned since I waited until 44000 miles to change the pads (yes...I'm an idiot !!)

Thanks

 

[Rhett]

I run Performance Carbon Friction Metallic pads, available at AutoZone. They're not cheap but my truck stops a lot better now, even tho my old pads were not down too much. I did the job myself and saved $$ and it was not too difficult to do.

 

[jimmiecakes]

Brake pads come in many densities - it's important for the consumer to decide which is the most appropriate for his/her driving conditions (including driving "style"). What works great in my area, doesn't necessarily work great elsewhere simply due to dust, mud, rain, climate....

When you reline your brakes, I recommend resurfacing the rotors - no if's ands or buts. This reduces the chance of building a squeal into the brakes and improves their efficiency. If you feel that you deserve no more than a "pad slap", at least have the thickness of the rotors measured to determine if they are still safe. Thin rotors WILL fail just when you need them the most...

 

[towdriverb]

a socket set english and metric pry bar and water pump pliers are all you need . just did this job 20 minutes and 87 dollars later that includes 2 new rotors

 

[TSTONE]

one more tool i'd buy - a really big "C" clamp for compressing the pistons on the calipers, the first time you slip and tear the rubber expansion gasket you'll understand why you should have spent the xtra $7.50