correct brake pads to use

05AZgmc · January 2, 2007

about to do my brakes, rotors and pads. Last time i did them i got the rotors turned and bought the more expensive ceramic pads. seems like the pads straight up ate away at the rotors. i was wondering, what is used from the factory, and should i stay with that? i mean its only been maybe 10 15k miles since i did my brakes last and its time again, so something is wrong i think, and since i put those ceramic pads on they have always squeaked coming to a stop.

also does anyone kno if you can replace just the little dust boots on the calipers, mine are all cracked and buying new calipers is really not needed, but id like to keep those seals protected especially for the arizona dust i drive in all the time, and the occosianal dirt roads and wet weather puddle jumping haha. thanks for the info ahead a time. oh also any recommendations on a brand of rotor and pads? im willing to pay the extra for the best or the better, i like to do things right not find the easy cheap way out with this truck, very picky about it, want to see it make 200 300k miles with out any major overhauls.. thanks

C & A s Dad · January 2, 2007

I will offer what advise that I can. I am in the Auto Parts Industry and work for CARQUEST. Please do not take the following advise as a "plug" for CQ.

Your truck did come from the factory with Ceramic Pads. There are many different quality of pads and rotors on the market and there is no regulation on the contents of "ceramic" pads. In other words, a company can formulate their pad with 5% ceramic material and label them as "Ceramic. OE style rotors are almost 100% supplied from China. The few American Rotors left around will not be around long. Once again, there are many differing qualities avail in rotors from China. Some are premium and others are literally cast in dirt.

I am assuming you truck is a 1/2 ton. If so, here is what I would recommend.

We have a Blue and a Gold line of Ceramic Pads avail. both beign provided to us by Raybetos. The Blue series is our best seller and is "middle of the road". The Ceramic content is good, they are very quiet and will outlast most competetive Ceramic pads in this price range such as Wagner's ThermoQuiet. The Gold pads are our best. They contain more ceramic material and will be a little harder on your rotors but will last longer. Both the Blue and the Gold have silencer pads installed and are "guaranteed quiet" as long as you install them correctly. You will need to make your decision from there.

On the rotors. Our normal like is a very high quality piece from China. You can upgrade to a drilled and/or slotted rotor but I do not beileve you will get any better life from them, but maybe better braking. We offer a severe duty drilled rotor but just like others, they are expensive.

If your truck is a Extended Cab 6400 or 7000 GVW or a Crew Cab with rear disc brakes with vacum power assist, you will need the following pads BCD 1092 or GCD 1092 depending on which you want the Blue or the Gold. If your truck is a 6400 GVW with Hyd Power Brakes, or a 7000 GVW Crew Cab with rear drum brakes you will need: BCD 785 or GCD 785.

For the rotors: 55097 for the vacum power brakes or 55054 for the Hyd Power Brakes. The severe duty rotors are avail only for the Hyd Power Brakes. They are SD 55054L and SD 55054R.

One last thing. No matter what you buy, be sure you clean the rotors with alcohol just before placing the calipers on them. You want all residue removed.This will hold true whether you have turned your rotors or bought new.

Good luck.

05AZgmc · January 7, 2007

Thanks sounds good, ill replace them both with most likley the middle of the road stuff, and hopefully get rid of all this noise i have now from my recently cut rotors and new top of the line autozone cermaic pads. thanks.

Mr. Smith · January 7, 2007

Thanks sounds good, ill replace them both with most likley the middle of the road stuff, and hopefully get rid of all this noise i have now from my recently cut rotors and new top of the line autozone cermaic pads. thanks.

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I have those pads from AZ but I put them on new rotors and they are quiet. Maybe it is the fact the folks that cut the rotors didn't finish them properly?

C & A s Dad · January 9, 2007

Mr. Smith is correct. A turned rotor that has been done incorrectly can cause all types of problems. If the final cut was done too fast, it will leave grooves in the surface much like the grooves in a record album. (Oh yea, I just dated myself). These grooves will literally try to lift the pads when they grab the rotor. Also, grease, metal filings and other contaminents probably cause more noise issues than anything else. Just be sure and clean them good with alcohol.

If you go with our Blue series pads, you will not be dissapointed. They are not quite there with the Premium Gold but they are far from "middle of the road".

Good luck.