Brake Job

For normal driving, vented rotors are unnecessary

Can't help you there, but avoid the Midas, Car-X, Meineke shops unless you want to buy a "complete" brake job.

Buy a good quality pad, don't buy on price alone.

Don't buy on price alone. Quality is like buying oats... if you want nice, clean, fresh oats you will have to pay a price... oats that have already been thru the horse can be had somewhat cheaper...

Mike

And where would one buy these quality pads? Napa? Autozone?

Well said. I have no problem spending the money. My problem is knowing *where* to spend the money.

Craig C.

Craig, if you're interested I can put you in touch with my mechanic in Plano. Ping my screen name using comcast dot net as the domain.

Drilled and slotted rotors are simply for looks, and will actually decrease braking performance by decreasing surface contact area. Just have your stock rotors resurfaced and you'll be fine and it will save you money.

Use a ceramic pad. They sqeal, but at such a high frequency that humans can't hear it. Be carefull, as some ceramic pads are not recommended for towing.

Very carefully follow the instructions for properly bedding the pads.

In a word, Raybestos. More expensive than the economy pads and worth it. (IMHO, anyway)

Ken

NAPA is OK, Autozone...... never!

Mike

A few months ago I did my brakes and had to replace a damaged rotor, the replacement purchased from NAPA. They had two rotors one for about 35$ and the other for about 60$. They were identical physically so I asked what the difference was between them and the parts clerk said: "The least expensive one is made in China the other is made in the U.S., other than that they are the same." I told him given that they are functionally the same I will take the least expensive one. To which he replied: "If it were me that is what I would do too." No issues thus far, works fine. regards, Joe.

PS: I DID however opt for the premium quality pads which were a few bucks more than standard OEM replacements since my past experiences have shown me that the better pads wear significantly longer than standard issue.

Craig,

Everybody has an opinion on brake pads....like people do with car wax..(!?!)..but let me make just two remarks:

1. A good number of years back, we had a portion of the braking material crack off a pad of our sport-class road racing car. With few options, we ran to the closest discount store, got a set of "Performance Friction" pads, and ran them for the closing practice session and the entire next day. While not replacements for the Hawks we were supposed to be running, my brother (driver of said car) was so impressed with their performance that he advised putting them on the hauler and our daily drivers -- very progressive feel with no heat fade and no squeal. I must have installed a couple dozen over the years, with nary a complaint -- save for the fact that I think they've made them slightly less aggressive over the years, and you quickly get used to a hair less response when dead cold. I drive like a real jerk when I can, and I've gotten years out of sets. Even on contractor's trucks, I only had the chance to warrantee two pair (lifetime warrantee - worn to spec) -- the boss's truck and the service truck.

1. I don't have many beefs about the Chinese rotors (and I'm currently running a pair), but on German cars that utilize a tapered retention screw, I've seen them crack at that spot. With no dimensional difference, I think we're seeing the reality of a lesser alloy. In addition, each set I've seen lately has been sold with a "turned" surface -- where you have to take an abrasive disc and give it a non-directional finish. No big deal if you have the equipment and don't mind doing so, but it is one extra step. If you look at the big name brand, you'll see that they do indeed give the braking surface a superior finish -- one that you feel immediately at the pedal if you don't resurface the cheap stuff.

Caveat emptor -- Jon

Since you're asking about a mechanic, it's clear that you are taking your truck to a shop.

Most shops are not happy when you bring in your own parts. About all you can do is ask around, and find a place that installs semi-metalic pads. Which last three or so times longer than organic pads.

A couple vehicles ago, I used organic pads on the front of my dodge van. Had to replace them about eveyr year. I remember them being about $11, adn th4e semi metalic were about $30. The semi metalic were the bargain, cause I only had to change them once, compared to three times for the organic.

Actually, AZ sells a brake carbon-metallic pad from Performance Friction. It is very good.