Crappy Ceramic Pads
mark_gober
09-26-2010, 05:38 PM
I'm looking for other's experience on this one.
About 2 years ago, I replaced the front brake pads on my wife's 2000 Windstar. At the parts house, I allowed the idiot behind the counter to talk me into buying ceramic pads. "They are much quieter....They have very little dust.....better performance, etc." I paid nearly twice what the normal pads cost and figured that I'd be happy with the ceramic pads. Fast forward two years.....
When I'm braking heavily, the front grinds terribly. It was to the point that about a year ago, I pulled the wheels off expecting to see metal/metal and there was TONS of brake pad left. Now my wife is complaining about it again and it did it to me the other day. It doesn't do it EVERY brake, but its almost always there when you are braking heavily.
Everything appears normal when you look at it. Has anyone else experienced similar problems?
Mark
About 2 years ago, I replaced the front brake pads on my wife's 2000 Windstar. At the parts house, I allowed the idiot behind the counter to talk me into buying ceramic pads. "They are much quieter....They have very little dust.....better performance, etc." I paid nearly twice what the normal pads cost and figured that I'd be happy with the ceramic pads. Fast forward two years.....
When I'm braking heavily, the front grinds terribly. It was to the point that about a year ago, I pulled the wheels off expecting to see metal/metal and there was TONS of brake pad left. Now my wife is complaining about it again and it did it to me the other day. It doesn't do it EVERY brake, but its almost always there when you are braking heavily.
Everything appears normal when you look at it. Has anyone else experienced similar problems?
Mark
phil-l
09-26-2010, 08:23 PM
I don't have ceramic pad experience, so I can't comment directly. But my '00 will need new front pads soon, so I'll be watching this thread closely...
old_master
09-26-2010, 09:30 PM
The friction material does not go all the way to the very edge of the rotor, (normal) so a rust ridge builds up at the outer edge of the rotor. As the rotor and pads wear, the friction material contacts the rust ridge. Ceramic pads will wear the rotor faster adding to the problem.
wiswind
10-02-2010, 07:46 AM
All "ceramic" pads are not created equal.
I have used Akebono pads and really liked them.
However, they cost $55 to $60.
While I have not used them, I would expect Rabestos "Advanced Technology" ceramic pads to be good also.
Another thing that can happen that has not been mentioned is that the calipers could be sticking.
If that is happening, I would replace both calipers.
I have used Akebono pads and really liked them.
However, they cost $55 to $60.
While I have not used them, I would expect Rabestos "Advanced Technology" ceramic pads to be good also.
Another thing that can happen that has not been mentioned is that the calipers could be sticking.
If that is happening, I would replace both calipers.
perrytime
10-03-2010, 04:12 PM
I have been very happy with Morse ceramic pads. quiet, low dust, etc. Maybe you just got unlucky with that brand or batch.
big white bufflo
10-03-2010, 09:24 PM
ceramic pads dont squeek like normal pads and they do brake better and will wear the rotor faster but with the cost of rotor these days there cheap for 50 to 60000 of driving you get on them i do lots of brake jobs and have had good luck with machanic choice from autovalue stores good braking low dust and wears goodthese past only cost less than 30$
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