Brake Pad Material??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Canton MI
Brake Pad Material??
I know that when it comes down to it, this may be another timeless "matter of opinion" thread but I want to ask anyways.
What is the best brake pad material to use on my 73? I'm redoing the rear brakes and putting new pads up front as part of my suspension rebuild. The car is a cruiser...no racing or anything. My top priorities are 1) that the car stops well, 2) that they're quiet, and 3) that they put out a low level of dust.
With those things in mind, what type of brake pads are best?
Thanks!
What is the best brake pad material to use on my 73? I'm redoing the rear brakes and putting new pads up front as part of my suspension rebuild. The car is a cruiser...no racing or anything. My top priorities are 1) that the car stops well, 2) that they're quiet, and 3) that they put out a low level of dust.
With those things in mind, what type of brake pads are best?
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I use ceramic pads for the same 3 reasons but not necessarily in the same priority. HOWEVER, I am not an expert in brakes (nor on a lot of other topics either 
). The popular performance choices are semi-matallic and ceramic.
My brake & muffler guy told me steel strands used in semi-metallic pads to provide strength and conduct heat away from rotors also generate noise and are abrasive enough to increase rotor wear. He said he doesn't even sell organic pads to people that drive cars with alloy rims.
Ceramic pads use ceramic compounds and copper fibers in place of the semi-metallic pad's steel fibers. I had metallic pads before the ceramic pads I have now. The metallic pads squeeled, even with the anti-squeel layer between the pistons and pad backs. The ceramic pads I have now don't squeel at all. My brake & muffler guy says they still squeel but above the human frequency hearing range. They can't be too bad because our yellow lab doesn't seem to mind.
). The popular performance choices are semi-matallic and ceramic.My brake & muffler guy told me steel strands used in semi-metallic pads to provide strength and conduct heat away from rotors also generate noise and are abrasive enough to increase rotor wear. He said he doesn't even sell organic pads to people that drive cars with alloy rims.
Ceramic pads use ceramic compounds and copper fibers in place of the semi-metallic pad's steel fibers. I had metallic pads before the ceramic pads I have now. The metallic pads squeeled, even with the anti-squeel layer between the pistons and pad backs. The ceramic pads I have now don't squeel at all. My brake & muffler guy says they still squeel but above the human frequency hearing range. They can't be too bad because our yellow lab doesn't seem to mind.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
im using carbon metallic pads on my 74. they are awesome. the braking is great. they dont seems to overheat. also best of all i see little to no brake dust. the only thing ive been cleaning off of my wheels is road grime.... the only down side is the pad is much smaller... (not surface area) but the thickness... so they might wear down fast... ohh and they are pretty expensive. they were about 70 bucks for front and 60 for the rear.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Organic may be OEM for a 73. Monroe now has brake pads and probably several grades of quality. There top of the line organic or metallic would be a good choice. There are those that prefer some highly promoted exotic brands but are basically the same, just cost more. 
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 625
Likes: 49
From: Southern California
I went with the "yellow" EBC brake pads awhile back on a late model hotrod. I don't have a ton of miles on them yet , but so far they are dead quiet, stop better than the originals, and if I had to say, I'd say there is even less dust than the origianals. I'm sold on them, and I'm going to get another set for a different car coming up soon. You can order them online, just google and you'll be in business
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,930
Likes: 15
From: Calgary Alberta
I have brand new ac delco pads on my brakes right now...haven't even driven the vette yet. I've noticed that they kick up some dust in and around the brake calipers...this is just from rotating the rotors several times over the past few months...I might have to buy myself a new set.
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