Brake Pad Question

[04GT]

I've been having some vibration with the front brakes for a couple of months. Car has 42K miles on it. Finally decided to get them fixed, so I took it to a shop that is supposed to be good. Anyway, they said that the rotors needed turned (which is what I expected) and they recommended getting new pads. They said that if you put the old pads on with turned rotors, they wouldn't work very good and would probably squeal. This sounded a little weird to me, but I figured the pads probably only had another 15K miles left in them, so I agreed to new motorcraft pads. It this true about turned rotors and new pads?

Also, they asked me if I had work done on the brakes before b/c one of the pads was missing a shim and the pads are ceramic. Then they told me that the pads they put on were not ceramic (they are ford motorcraft and cost $89 for the set). So I asked "Are you telling me you put a lower quality pad on the car?" They said the pads they put on the car are cheaper, but probably won't warp the rotors b/c they don't get as hot as ceramic. Is this true? Do ceramics perform better but put more wear on the rotors?

Third question...should I be doing anything special to break these new pads in? They used to say that you should not ride the brakes when the pads are new because they won't break in properly...though I wouldn't do that anyway. My last couple of cars were leased, so it's been about 10 years since I had new brake pads put on a car.

They don't seem to stop as well as the old one, but I'm guessing they gotta break in, right? (I guess that makes 4 questions.)

Thanks

 

[newstangman]

I've been having some vibration with the front brakes for a couple of months. Car has 42K miles on it. Finally decided to get them fixed, so I took it to a shop that is supposed to be good. Anyway, they said that the rotors needed turned (which is what I expected) and they recommended getting new pads. They said that if you put the old pads on with turned rotors, they wouldn't work very good and would probably squeal. This sounded a little weird to me, but I figured the pads probably only had another 15K miles left in them, so I agreed to new motorcraft pads. It this true about turned rotors and new pads?

Also, they asked me if I had work done on the brakes before b/c one of the pads was missing a shim and the pads are ceramic. Then they told me that the pads they put on were not ceramic (they are ford motorcraft and cost $89 for the set). So I asked "Are you telling me you put a lower quality pad on the car?" They said the pads they put on the car are cheaper, but probably won't warp the rotors b/c they don't get as hot as ceramic. Is this true? Do ceramics perform better but put more wear on the rotors?

Third question...should I be doing anything special to break these new pads in? They used to say that you should not ride the brakes when the pads are new because they won't break in properly...though I wouldn't do that anyway. My last couple of cars were leased, so it's been about 10 years since I had new brake pads put on a car.

They don't seem to stop as well as the old one, but I'm guessing they gotta break in, right? (I guess that makes 4 questions.)

Thanks

First, turning down the rotors makes them thinner and MORE likely to heat up and warp again. I would have opted for new rotors as they are cheap (around $30@). Second, i believe starting with the '04s, Ford went to ceramic linings as mine make absoletely NO DUST. Mechanics like to cover their asses by installing new linings after turning down rotors; not to mention additional profits. Lastly, just take it easy on your stops for the first 100 miles. Linings break in very quickly nowadays! Hope this helps.

 

[ForPointSex]

Everything they said is correct. I tried ceramic pads and they did brake better, but warped the rotors within 6 months. I replaced them with new rotors and motorcraft pads and no more vibration. The Ford dealer charges around $60 for front pads, not $89.

If you want better brakes, get the cobra kit.

 

[bdcardinal]

if you want even better brakes get the cobra R kit

 

[UhadMEatGT]

Ceramic pads should not heat up as much as OEM, and cool down quicker to reduce brake fade. Warped rotors would come from the quality of rotor, or a Semi metallic in my previos experience. I switched to ceramic because of the heat my OEM pads/rotors were putting out. I have had my truck since new, and the brakes have never been this smooth....and no more brake fade!!

 

[04GT]

Didn't wanna buy new rotors. I think they cost a bit more than $30 each. Anyway, I'm saving up for new shocks and struts.