Which brake pads to get for the fronts? - Want more bite and firmer pedal feel. (But no excessive dust or squeal.)

[ImmenseJake]

I don't need new brakes, only have 5,000 miles on the truck. But I would like the pedal to feel firmer.

I already bled the system and it didn't have any air in it, so I am assuming the OEM brake pads are the culprit. (There's nothing WRONG with them, but I just want a firmer feel.) I've read that some people have similar issues with their Diesel Gladiators, talking about vacuum pressure and whatnot. I dunno if that's the cause for mine, but I'd like to try new pads first to see if it helps.

So, I wanted to just swap out the pads on the fronts. The most important things would be: no squeal, and no excessive dust (So for squeal, I am worried about ceramic pads, and for dust, I'd be worried for semi-metallics.)

I know PowerStop is popular around here, but I don't want a full kit with pads and rotors, just better pads. (I also don't want drilled and slotted rotors; no reason for that on a daily driver.)

Here are the choices: https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...rged,3452796,brake+&+wheel+hub,brake+pad,1684

Any of those choices are within my budget, so Premium are totally fine, if they will work better. And I have read about EBC green or yellow pads, but I'd need to get them somewhere else besides Rock Auto, not a problem.

Thank you!

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[LouisvEarlleJT]

The pedal will still feel the same with different pads. To change the feel/feedback from the pedal you have to modify the pressure in the system (I.e. booster, master cylinder, etc.). These trucks already have dual-piston front calipers which, IMHO offer plenty of clamp force.

 

[Commodus]

I don't need new brakes, only have 5,000 miles on the truck. But I would like the pedal to feel firmer.

I already bled the system and it didn't have any air in it, so I am assuming the OEM brake pads are the culprit. (There's nothing WRONG with them, but I just want a firmer feel.) I've read that some people have similar issues with their Diesel Gladiators, talking about vacuum pressure and whatnot. I dunno if that's the cause for mine, but I'd like to try new pads first to see if it helps.

So, I wanted to just swap out the pads on the fronts. The most important things would be: no squeal, and no excessive dust (So for squeal, I am worried about ceramic pads, and for dust, I'd be worried for semi-metallics.)

I know PowerStop is popular around here, but I don't want a full kit with pads and rotors, just better pads. (I also don't want drilled and slotted rotors; no reason for that on a daily driver.)

Here are the choices: https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...rged,3452796,brake+&+wheel+hub,brake+pad,1684

Any of those choices are within my budget, so Premium are totally fine, if they will work better. And I have read about EBC green or yellow pads, but I'd need to get them somewhere else besides Rock Auto, not a problem.

Thank you!

Louis is correct the least expensive way to is to change your rubber brake hoses out for braided

 

[PuddleJumper]

For pedal feel you'll need steel lines. I have rusty's and i can't recommend them enough. For bite i have Z36 Powerstop pads and i like em a lot. Also i swapped my fluid out to Prestone DOT4 MAX since i had to swap the lines anyway. the MAX is rated for a good bit more heat then the OEM stuff

 

[pharmfrank]

I switched to Hawk Performance LTS pads two years ago and have been pleased, later this
month I plan to swap the rear pads as well, caveat here, I also switched to slotted rotors
at the same time

 

[rharr]

EBC Green pads bite good but are messy and make lots of dust. The yellow pads are good to, make a little less dust and offer more initial bite but may wear the disks faster.

 

[ImmenseJake]

Thanks everyone. This is why it's confusing to me. Some people said different pads won't make a difference, and some said it would. I don't want to cause an argument. Maybe there is a difference between 'pedal feel' and initial 'bite', and different pads AND steel lines would both make a difference (meaning, I could be using the wrong terminology to describe what I mean!!)

But, I just got a P0341 Camshaft error, and found there is a TSB to fix the wiring harness, so now that's on top of my to-do list.

That gives me time to look into changing out the brake lines for braided steel brake lines!

 

[rharr]

Thanks everyone. This is why it's confusing to me. Some people said different pads won't make a difference, and some said it would. I don't want to cause an argument. Maybe there is a difference between 'pedal feel' and initial 'bite', and different pads AND steel lines would both make a difference (meaning, I could be using the wrong terminology to describe what I mean!!)

But, I just got a P0341 Camshaft error, and found there is a TSB to fix the wiring harness, so now that's on top of my to-do list.

That gives me time to look into changing out the brake lines for braided steel brake lines. Which shouldn't be too hard; I was just looking at my brake line the other day, because I am planning for a modest lift, and I was looking at the lines and they seemed a bit short to me. I think they'd be fine, even with a 1.5"-2" lift that I plan, but I'd be more comfortable with a BIT more slack.

yes, steel braided will make a firmer pedal feel and likely less pedal travel, the rubber lines blow up like a balloon when you apply pressure causing some of the pressure/fluid to inflate the brake lines and not initiate the caliper piston as fast giving a mushy feel.

Bite is how fast brake friction engages. This is effected by pad materials. Old glazed cheap ceramic pads will give a brake feel like wood blocks where it will feel like it takes ages for the truck to stop even though you are stomping on the pedal. Pads with high friction will make it feel like you are slowing down as soon as you apply pressure to the pedal, to much friction and you bounce your face off the windshield. Organic and semi metallic/sintered pads have high friction. Ceramic are low dust and long lasting less friction.

You can start by pulling your pads and sanding the surface of the friction material using sand paper on a flat surface, maybe you braked hard and glazed the pads, sanding will remove the glazing and give back the friction.

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