Aftermarket Brake Pads - Improve/Fix Factory Brake Feel?

[WendysOrBust]

I know I'm not the only one who has issues with the factory brake feel on these trucks as there is a 4+ page thread that's covered this issue before.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/168632-brakes-insufficient/

 

To recite the above, I think the overall braking performance on these trucks is fine. The truck produces great stopping distances and several users tow constantly with the truck without issues. I think my gripe is the overall poor pedal feel and initial "bite" feedback the brakes give back. I have to really get on the brakes to get it to stop. I had a similar, but opposite, complaint when the truck was still on the factory tune with poor throttle performance but thats been rectified now that I have a Black Bear tune on it.

 

I don't want to turn this into a debate vs Ford or Dodge. But for comparison sakes the only two other trucks that I've driven on a constantly basis was 2012 F150 and a 2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500, both had tremendously better brake feel than my 2014 CCSB GMC. However, on my 2500 I replaced the oem brake pads after a couple of months due to wear with some "top of the line" Wagner brake pads from the local parts store. Those brake pads felt very similarly like my truck does now. After some research I discovered that the OEM pads for the Dodge were far better than what I had put on there. So after a few months I spent $200+ on a front and rear set and the brake feel and bite were above and beyond better than what I had.

 

Which leads me to believe that part of the problem is GM uses ceramic factory brake pads. If you want to know more about ceramic brake pads vs semi-metallic pads this is a good read.

 

http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/the-best-brake-pads-ceramic-or-metallic.aspx

 

Basically its a trade off, ceramic pads last longer, are quieter, produce adequate stopping distance don't "bite" as hard as semi-metallic pads.

 

So I created this thread for a couple of reasons.

 

1) For other users to give feedback on their oem/aftermarket brake pads

2) To list are current available aftermarket brake pads.

 

Hawk Performance

I'm personally a big fan of Hawk Pads. I religiously used their HP Plus pads a couple of years ago when I autocrossed. I daily drove a set of HPS pads and switched to HP Plus pads on track time. Both were great pads. All of the Hawk pads are made from a non ceramic Ferro-Carbon compound. Here is what Hawk offers for our trucks;

 

HPS - High Performance Street Compound

Front P/N: HB561F.710

Rear P/N: HB568F.666

 

http://www.hawkperformance.com/performance-street/pads/high-performance-street

 

 

 

The High Performance Street compound offers a higher coefficient of friction over stock brake pads and can provide you 20-40% more stopping power and higher resistance to brake fade than most standard replacement pads. Less fade means you will have a highly durable brake pad with less brake dust.

Key Features

- Increased stopping power

- High friction/torque hot or cold
- Gentle on rotors

- Extended pad life

- Low dust

- Virtually noise-free

- Ideal for import and domestic automobiles

 

LTS - Light Truck and SUV Brake Pads:

Front P/N: HB561Y.710

Rear P/N: HB568Y.666

http://www.hawkperformance.com/performance-street/pads/light-truck-suv

 

 

Engineered By Truck Brake Pad Experts
At Hawk Performance, we understand that traditional car brake pad technology just doesn’t cut it on today’s trucks. This is especially true if you haul heavy payloads or trailers. Install our LTS brake compound and dramatically improve your truck’s stopping power and fade resistance. Additionally, Hawk Performance LTS compound will out last the competition in terms of rotor and pad wear.

 

Key Features

- Designed for large brake systems found on full-size trucks
- Engineered using technology from Fleet & Military applications
- Ferro-Carbon friction material delivers more braking power and fade resistance than OE pads
- Low dust
- Excellent pad and rotor life
- Virtually noise-free
- Ideal for import and domestic full-size trucks, vans and SUV’s (1/2 ton) with moderate towing and hauling duty

 

SD - Super Duty Severe Duty Truck

Front P/N: HB568P.666

Rear P/N: HB561P.710

http://www.hawkperformance.com/performance-street/pads/superduty

 

Unequaled For Sever Duty Use
Hawk Performance SuperDuty brake pads utilize our OE and aftermarket sever- duty friction technology. This product has been engineered for class 2 and higher on- highway commercial trucks. This unique Ferro- Carbon material delivers extremely high fade resistance, with superior high temperature rotor and brake pad wear. This product is not recommended for personal or recreational trucks and SUVs.

Key Features

 

- Engineered from technology used in heavy- duty
on/off- highway and Military applications
- Extremely high coefficient of friction and fade resistance
- Recommended for professional fleets (greater than 1 ton)
and light trucks towing excessive payloads

 

 

EBC Brake Pads

I've never used EBC brake pads my self. But they are a world wide company and I know many people who have had positive experiences with them. My main gripe with them is they don't list brake pads by application. You have to look through one of their vendor sites to see which pads are available for your vehicle which just made putting this list more time consuming. To make things harder some of their brake pad lines have "sub" lines such as their Green Stuff pads. They have the Green Stuff 2000 pads which are for cars. 6000 line which are for trucks and 7000 line which are for trucks and 4x4 trucks. But when looking up pads online few sites really tell you which ones you are getting. Very confusing. And unlike Hawk, EBC uses different brake pad materials depending on their line, they use ceramic to their own armid-fiber compound. Anyways here is what they offer for our trucks from lest to most aggressive;

 

Ultimax Brake Pads

http://ebcbrakes.com/product/ultimax-brake-pads/

http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3069A0A0.aspx

These are ceramic pads basically an OE replacement pad.

 

 

If you simply need a quality OEM replacement pad, look no further than the Ultimax2™ brake pad. Made in theUK Bristol EBC Brakes manufacturing plant the Ultimax2™ brake pad is a beautifully engineered brake compound that lasts well, produces minimal dust and is the perfect choice for the urban or daily driver. Why spend more if all you need is a quality replacement pad.

 

 

Green "6000" Stuff Pads

http://ebcbrakes.com/product/greenstuff-brake-pads/

http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3070A0A0.aspx

These are advertised to be a light improvement over OE pads but still a lower friction coefficient than the Yellow pads.

 

 

Greenstuff 6000 series is regarded as a first level brake improvement over stock and can deliver up to 15% improvement in stopping power. However Greenstuff 6000 is not a hard and long lasting pad and drivers may find Greenstuff last less miles on light Trucks and SUV than stock units which in our opinion are designed primarily to pass the warranty period but 6000 are a good quality pad replacement with medium dusting and good brake effect.

 

Green "7000" Stuff Pads

http://ebcbrakes.com/product/greenstuff-brake-pads/

http://www.carid.com/2012-gmc-sierra-brakes/ebc-greenstuff-7000-brake-pads-4255539.html#product-details-tab

In my opinion this is an odd pad. Its basically a longer lasting, low dust "Green 6000" pad.

 

Features:

• Offers all the benefits of Greenstuff 6000 series pads in a more concentrated formula
• Provides extremely long pad life with the lowest amount of rotor wear
• Engineered to better resist mud, sand, and grit that accumulate on brakes during off-roading
• Friction coefficient of 0.45 is equivalent to the Greenstuff 6000 series
• Produces the lowest amount of brake dust of all EBC brake pads for trucks or SUVs

 

 

Red Stuff Pads

 

http://ebcbrakes.com/product/redstuff-brake-pads/

 

http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3071A0A0.aspx

 

These are a kevlar and ceramic compound. I think these are aimed at heavy luxury cars since the main selling points are quiet, and low dust.

 

 

 

There are two reasons our customers love Redstuff, First because they are the lowest dust pad we have encountered by reducing dust by 60-90%. Plus the minimal dust you see is very easily removed with a simple sponge wash as it contains no steel fibre particles as in all other pads. Second they brake like an alligator right from cold (as good as Original pads or better) and just get better as they heat up.

 

Truck Yellow Stuff Pads

 

http://ebcbrakes.com/product/yellowstuff-high-friction-truck-sport-brake-pads/

 

http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/61A3072A0A0.aspx

 

If I was to choose any of the EBC brake pads these would be the ones I went with. They are non-ceramic aramid- fiber compound. They seem to be a much more aggressive pad than the oe or other EBC offerings.

 

 

 

Because of its huge heat range, the applications whereEBC Yellowstuff will deliver benefits range from fastest street use on higher horsepower sedans to Trackday and Race use on most street based cars and even as a brake upgrade on Trucks and SUV. Truck Yellowstuff Sport brake pads are especially appreciated on Trucks for towing and heavy loads and where wheel and tire oversize upgrades have been fitted. These pads are a full FMVSS grade higher in friction level than most stock pads and as such will feel stronger on the pedal after install and bedding. The pads are also a race developed friction material designed for heavy heat and brake abuse. As an ideal upgrade pad when fitting oversize tyres and wheels.

 

There are mother companies that offer aftermarket brake pads such as Raybestos, Stop-Tech, Posi-tech, Wagner but I chose the two above since they are the most reputable and well known.

 

And as far as brake rotors go stay away from fancy black, premium coating, slotted, drilled rotors. They will not affect braking distances or performance.

 

http://automotivethinker.com/brakes-2/rotors-blank-vs-cross-drilled-vs-slotted-and-warping/

[newdude]

Have you done any maintinance to the brakes? As in clean and lubricate pins and pad clips?

[WendysOrBust]

Have you done any maintinance to the brakes? As in clean and lubricate pins and pad clips?

 

The truck only has 20k miles. It doesn't, nor should it need any of those things done until the pads get replaced.

[newdude]

The truck only has 20k miles. It doesn't, nor should it need any of those things done until the pads get replaced.

 

Bone dry from the factory on almost every new truck I've seen. I do mine once or twice a year. Made a big difference on my 2004 and my 2006 both were purchased used.

[Spurshot]

WOB,

nice write-up. Thanks.

 

I ran some EBC grooved and dimpled rotors and Yellow Stuff pads on the front of my 08. It gave a good bite. But the dust was horrendous. One week and the silver front wheels were really black with the dust. I put OEM pads back in on the EBC rotors. Still an improvement, but not the level the pads provided.

[WendysOrBust]

WOB,

nice write-up. Thanks.

 

I ran some EBC grooved and dimpled rotors and Yellow Stuff pads on the front of my 08. It gave a good bite. But the dust was horrendous. One week and the silver front wheels were really black with the dust. I put OEM pads back in on the EBC rotors. Still an improvement, but not the level the pads provided.

Yea, unfortunately when you move away from ceramic pads dust really becomes an issue. I'm glad you had a positive experience with the Yellow Stuff pads. Really debating between those and the Hawk HPS'.

 

IDEALLY, I would love to have your big brake setup. So if you ever get tired of those you could always send them my way.

 

[Spurshot]

Yea, unfortunately when you move away from ceramic pads dust really becomes an issue. I'm glad you had a positive experience with the Yellow Stuff pads. Really debating between those and the Hawk HPS'.

 

IDEALLY, I would love to have your big brake setup. So if you ever get tired of those you could always send them my way.

 

 

Well, if you're running 20's, you can fit the 16" rotor kit. That should really be a huge improvement. I've been tossing around the idea of putting the big Wilwood rears on. But I have a backlog of mods for now.

[Jon A]

I've had good luck with Hawk LTS pads in daily driving and towing. They only make noise occasionally but do put out a fair amount of dust.

 

There's really no free lunch with pads--any that give a significantly better bite or resist fade significantly better are going to cause more noise, brake dust or rotor wear or some combination of the three. The only real way around that is to change to a completely new larger braking system that gives you the braking you want with less agressive pads--the trade off there is the upfront cost (assuming it's sized properly to work with the ABS correctly, etc).

[nadrojcote]

If anyone is looking for a good cheap oe replacement, I ordered Powerstop Z17 pads and they're really good. Cheap and improve braking by up to 20%

 

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3957996&cc=3294374&jnid=445&jpid=15

[Dunc]

I'm personally a big fan of Hawk Pads. I religiously used their HP Plus pads a couple of years ago when I autocrossed. I daily drove a set of HPS pads and switched to HP Plus pads on track time. Both were great pads.

+1. I use the HP+ in my turbo Integra and love them (was a daily driver.) They didn't squeek or anything, which surprised me as I expected them to, for me and had great stopping power. I put in a set of their track only pads on time for no reason other than to try them. The braking was insane. They squeeked like hell, but god lord they would plaster your face on the windshield. Still have them in box after 1 use so I'd have to go check the compound type.

[Jennabear]

 

Well, if you're running 20's, you can fit the 16" rotor kit. That should really be a huge improvement. I've been tossing around the idea of putting the big Wilwood rears on. But I have a backlog of mods for now.

 

Pretty sure you would love having the 14" on the rears to. I have the 16/14 kit on mine, stops on a dime!

[RobZ71LM7]

HPS is an OLD compound and was good 10-15 years ago. I'd recommend LTS for your truck. The HPS is being replaced by the 5.0 street pads which I put on my wife's Honda and I'm very happy with them, but probably wouldn't use them on a truck. I did run conventional HPS on my GMT-800, and they stopped much better than factory pads, but wore out in no time.

 

I actually have a Wilwood big brake kit on order for the front of my K2 Silverado.

 

I used to autocross with HP+ pads and they were good, but took a run to get up to temp and produce good bite.

[OmniGLH]

I'm still on the stock stuff on my Sierra - but in my previous truck (2007 Avalanche) I installed a set of Performance Friction street pads and they were FANTASTIC. Huge improvement in stopping bite and power.

[TJay74]

I am really surprised GM put ceramics on the trucks, every GM vehicle I have owned have came with semi-metallic.

[VdellaV]

Im planning on Buying a set of EBC YellowSuffs soon, hope they are as good as it is said