Brake Recommendation
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3rd Gen Ram Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,596
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From: Cádiz, Spain
Brake Recommendation
So, it's been a while since I've had to do the brakes (rotors, specifically) on my vehicle. Last time I replaced them, I went with the Power Slot rotors and Hawk LTS pad combination that was pretty popular on there. No complaints with the upgrade, but I'm in need of new rotors and the pads are about due to be replaced at this time, as well. What's everyone using these days?
I was looking at the Power Stop kits (Power Slot is now Power Stop, IIRC), but can't find anyone to ship here. Cheapest I can find through a local place is over $600 just for the pads and rotors! I'm sure there's someplace out there, so I'll keep looking. Just trying to see if there's a new stock upgrade combination that people are relying on recently.
I was looking at the Power Stop kits (Power Slot is now Power Stop, IIRC), but can't find anyone to ship here. Cheapest I can find through a local place is over $600 just for the pads and rotors! I'm sure there's someplace out there, so I'll keep looking. Just trying to see if there's a new stock upgrade combination that people are relying on recently.
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 348
Likes: 10
From: Canada West
My opinion.
Brakes are not sexy. They are functional equipment that work hard and wear out. Brake pads and rotors are wearable parts that are thrown away when they are done. It is wise not to sink alot of money in them. Be practical, get decent quality to keep the truck safe, keep your confidence level, and keep as much money in your wallet as possible.
Watch the autoparts shops for the seasonal sales to buy when the parts are 1/2 price or 4 for 3 type sales. Often can get into sets of premium parts without the premium price. Since the sales rarely line up with the maintenance cycle usually what happens is buying of the parts proactively, and just put the parts on the shelf in the garage until it is time. Never buy the bargain economy rotors or pads. You will be replacing those frequently due to warpage (shudder/shake) and short wear life. Stay away from the economy, no name, fancy name, flashy name, shiny painted stuff unless you are riding a Prius.
On my vehicles, usually this approach results in some combination of NAPA rotors and pads, or Wagner rotors and pads, sometimes Monroe pads, ... or some combination thereof. With NAPA you won't know exactly what (root brand) you are getting as their house parts are bulk buys. Regardless, they stand for their products and I honestly have never had a bad set, always satisfied. With Wagner or Monroe you know pretty well what you are getting. The best performance, durability, and life on my trucks across quite a few brake service replacement parts has been the NAPA ultra premium rotors under the Wagner pads. A good balance of cost, durability, and performance.
From past experiences, nowadays I find myself to be really picky about the rotors and less so the pads. Rotors are made from different quality of steels. It is quite easy to tell which ones hold up well and which don't. A good rotor will out run 2 to 3 sets of pads. A poor rotor will be grooved out, cracked, and done before the first pad set is finished. The metallic pads also destroy rotors much more quickly than ceramic or organic. So the advice is have the scrutiny to spend the bigger money on the rotors, the lesser money on the pads and shy away from metallic pads.
Take for what you will. Since there are alot of makers with alot of options that may or may not be readily available in your area. You really do not need to go far, long, or hard, to find what you need. I hope the essence of the above message is clear and will be helpful when looking at the options and in you making an optimum balanced decision for your vehicle based on what is in the auto shops local to you.
PS: you can never go wrong with OEM parts. Other than on some parts the OEM is the much more expensive option.
Brakes are not sexy. They are functional equipment that work hard and wear out. Brake pads and rotors are wearable parts that are thrown away when they are done. It is wise not to sink alot of money in them. Be practical, get decent quality to keep the truck safe, keep your confidence level, and keep as much money in your wallet as possible.
Watch the autoparts shops for the seasonal sales to buy when the parts are 1/2 price or 4 for 3 type sales. Often can get into sets of premium parts without the premium price. Since the sales rarely line up with the maintenance cycle usually what happens is buying of the parts proactively, and just put the parts on the shelf in the garage until it is time. Never buy the bargain economy rotors or pads. You will be replacing those frequently due to warpage (shudder/shake) and short wear life. Stay away from the economy, no name, fancy name, flashy name, shiny painted stuff unless you are riding a Prius.
On my vehicles, usually this approach results in some combination of NAPA rotors and pads, or Wagner rotors and pads, sometimes Monroe pads, ... or some combination thereof. With NAPA you won't know exactly what (root brand) you are getting as their house parts are bulk buys. Regardless, they stand for their products and I honestly have never had a bad set, always satisfied. With Wagner or Monroe you know pretty well what you are getting. The best performance, durability, and life on my trucks across quite a few brake service replacement parts has been the NAPA ultra premium rotors under the Wagner pads. A good balance of cost, durability, and performance.
From past experiences, nowadays I find myself to be really picky about the rotors and less so the pads. Rotors are made from different quality of steels. It is quite easy to tell which ones hold up well and which don't. A good rotor will out run 2 to 3 sets of pads. A poor rotor will be grooved out, cracked, and done before the first pad set is finished. The metallic pads also destroy rotors much more quickly than ceramic or organic. So the advice is have the scrutiny to spend the bigger money on the rotors, the lesser money on the pads and shy away from metallic pads.
Take for what you will. Since there are alot of makers with alot of options that may or may not be readily available in your area. You really do not need to go far, long, or hard, to find what you need. I hope the essence of the above message is clear and will be helpful when looking at the options and in you making an optimum balanced decision for your vehicle based on what is in the auto shops local to you.
PS: you can never go wrong with OEM parts. Other than on some parts the OEM is the much more expensive option.
Last edited by FaceDeAce; Feb 6, 2018 at 02:15 PM.
