Brake Pads

[smallxfires]

PLEASE forgive me if this has been discussed to death (i feel like it probably has) but i have a 05 1500 5.3, and pretty much every brake pad/rotor combination i have tried from the local autozone has left me with nothing but squeeks and brake fade, i have tried the gel they sell you on, and the spray etc, i have always done the bed in process according to the manufacture...i have a feeling that all the products they have to offer might just be too cheap

what have you guys been using that works? are the akebonos that come from the factory worth it? rotors?

[sierra99]

I was told to get original GM parts for brake pads and I have with very good luck. I did get 147k out of my original set and said what the heck, if they lasted 147k, then I want the same thing back on it. I had my rotors turned, to get the glaze off them and put the $80 ac/delcos back on. no problems.

Very good decision. Oh yeah, I am hard on my brakes on every other truck I had and I used to get 40k off a set of autozone or napa pads. Go with the original AC/DELCO's. You will be happy.

99 silverado z71 4x4 extended cab.

[ColoradoSilverado]

I use the cheap Autozone ones with no problem, never had any sqealing or whatever, OEM parts are a waste of money, my brakes lasted 90,000 miles so far and I actualy use my truck, hauling a ton in the bed or pull a 4-5 ton trailer.

Bert

[j cAT]

I have used since 2000 on my 2000 sil 4X4 5.3L truck the OEM pads until this year. I replaced the original rotors 4 with advanced auto lifetime warr parts including the lifetime pads. so far no problems.

I also had to replace the rear calipers 2 lifetime warr.what I found was the caliper pistons were sticking at a certain point when pushing back.this caused the pads to rapidly wear when they wore down to this area.

squeal is an easy fix. just coat the metal pad backing with an anti seize paste. this I have done for a very very long time and the brakes are quiet.

brake pads need in most cases filing on the metal backing plate ..this is due to the poor machining of the brake pad metal backing. the pads need to slide easy...also the caliper pistons need to be pushed back with ease. when I service the brakes I open the bleed screw THEN with a C clamp push the piston back. this then will reveal if they stick, also the bad fluid in the piston is discarded.

the caliper pins need lube and inspection for rust/binding replace if so. It may also need some filing if the pins fit too tightly into the caliper housing....

If you do this I'm sure you'll find the cause, and your braking will improve... with the pads sliding easy it will take less pedal pressure, and also the pads when not braking can slide back and not get hot from touching the rotors.

[RickMan]

I have a 99' XCab with 4.8. It has 152K miles on it (11yrs). Never had a brake job since I bought it new. I just had it at the dealership last week for some scheduled maintenance and they checked my brakes... 50% left on my pads and no grooves on the rotors. Normal driving, some dirt roads several times a year during hunting season. When I do need a brake job, it's going back to the dealer for OEM parts that came on it when I bought it. If these have lasted this long, I want the same stuff put back on it.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by RickMan

I have a 99' XCab with 4.8. It has 152K miles on it (11yrs). Never had a brake job since I bought it new. I just had it at the dealership last week for some scheduled maintenance and they checked my brakes... 50% left on my pads and no grooves on the rotors. Normal driving, some dirt roads several times a year during hunting season. When I do need a brake job, it's going back to the dealer for OEM parts that came on it when I bought it. If these have lasted this long, I want the same stuff put back on it.

its nice living in a dry climate ...the brake hardware lasts a very long time...bring that car up to new england one full winter and it will rapidly turn into a rust bucket...

I have seen very old daily drivers in tucson,az all smashed up scrapes etc....no rust at all...amazing to me...a rust belt driver...

[cramer_77]

Originally Posted by smallxfires

PLEASE forgive me if this has been discussed to death (i feel like it probably has) but i have a 05 1500 5.3, and pretty much every brake pad/rotor combination i have tried from the local autozone has left me with nothing but squeeks and brake fade, i have tried the gel they sell you on, and the spray etc, i have always done the bed in process according to the manufacture...i have a feeling that all the products they have to offer might just be too cheap

what have you guys been using that works? are the akebonos that come from the factory worth it? rotors?

its possible that AZ is selling you a very high ceramic pad, which will take A LOT of brake application to get the truck to stop(more heat). my personal opinion take the AZ crap back and get the good stuff like raybestos or monroe, thats all i use at the shop i work at, and i even use that stuff on cop cars with no complaints. I replaced the rear brakes on my 01 hd about a year and a half ago with all raybestos(pads, rotors, and calipers) no problems what so ever and i can actually say that i use the truck like its suppose to be used. Hauled 5500lbs on a 20ft trailer an hour north to scrap yard, 2500lbs of scrap in back of truck, and numerous demolition derby cars. No problems at all. It is possible that your hearing a sqeak from the metallic in the brake pad itself or it could be the metal shim on the brake pad. But seriously i would drop AZ, i went through a serpentine belt from there in 1 year(12xxx miles), and wiper blades in 8 months, and i don't live in the city where it rains or anything i live in indiana out in the country i drive 10 miles a day round trip to work and back, where it rains a decent amount but nothing crazy. hope this helps.

[wafrederick]

Wagner quiet stop pads are another choice.Avoid ceramic pads,known for eating rotors ups.There is a cheap line of raybestos brake pads and are not worth it.Had nothing but problems with them with the Carquest name on the box.Sent a set back to the Carquest parts where my father and I get parts from,worn out early and the rep asked this question in front of my father: What did you do wrong?This rep basically thought it was installer error and it was not.My father was not too happy and this rep was fired later on.Another thing to check on the rotors are the fins,they rust out badly and braking power is effected.If you you see the fins rusted out badly,pitch them and get new rotors