Front Brake Pads / Rotors Question?

[LibertyTC]

Ok folks here is the deal...When I bought the Jeep from dealer (08), they had serviced 0r turned the rotors, and I recently discovered that they used their low budget line of front pads which are Organic, and stop poorly. This is something I want to address as boat pulling season is approaching.
So since the value line of organics are basically a POS...
For low dust, and longer life, I think the ceramics are the way to go..not semi-metallic..
SO I can use the dealer OEM ceramics...or...what is everyone else recommending I use for pads up front...?? I'm not sure I want to go Napa either..I think full on ceramics may be better...
Also in rotors department..I may be ok with current rotors..but I have not had them measured, and If I need new rotors what is good quality..that aint going to warp and are US or Canada made?

In the rear Im using Napa ultra premium rotor (which I heard can cause some issues) made in china? and adaptive one pads.
Input greatly appreciated folks..

 

[cplchris]

i have never had an issue using napa brakes but my other recommendations would be either ebc or hawk

 

[LibertyTC]

I guess I should have asked if anyone has used the Dealer Jeep Ceramic pads and if so how do they compare to after market?

 

[CactusJacked]

Akebono brand (made in Japan) is the original equipment brakes manufacturer for Chrysler, GM, Ford, and many other foreign models as well. You're not being unfaithful to the "Jeep brand" if you go with another. With that said, I tend to favor Raybestos ceramic brake pads and their rotors, and get them from rockauto. They've always performed flawlessly and worn well on any of the brake jobs I've done. And with a fleet of at least 6 cars at home at any given time, over the years I've done quite a few.

 

[Leeann]

I got Evolution ceramic pads and Raybestos rotors from my local auto parts supply house (not a chain store). They stop awesomely well…and were available the day I needed them, for a good price.

Others have had good luck with the NAPA upgrade ceramic and rotors.

 

[mu2bdriver]

I used the wearever gold line from advance on my wife's. They have a lifetime warranty, priced right, and stopped very well. And she drives it like a police car/taxi cab.

 

[02blue]

I have Raybestos Ceramic now and they seem fine. I've also used Akebono and EBC (greenstuff) without any problem. They all stopped fine. My trick has been getting good rotors. The Napa ultra premium are the best. I've tried "inexpensive" ones (name brand) and even tried drilled and slotted EBC and they warped in about three months. I've got Napa drums on the back of mine, too.

 

[tjkj2002]

Ceramic pads.................


-do not work well when cold
-overheat the rotors under heavy use(do not dissipate heat well)
-not recommended for offroad or towing


Semi-metallic.............


-work great cold
-recommended for offroad and towing
-dissipates heat better
-less noisy then ceramic pads


Organic pads............


-parts store low end house brand pads
-outdated
-fades




Napa's Ultra Premium rotors are made in the USA,Centric Premium rotors are also very good but made in china.




I'd recommend Black Magic's front brakes(rotor/pad combo) or Adaptive One pads(ceramic/semi metallic hybrid pads).

 

[02blue]

Ceramic pads.................


-do not work well when cold
-overheat the rotors under heavy use(do not dissipate heat well)
-not recommended for offroad or towing


Semi-metallic.............


-work great cold
-recommended for offroad and towing
-dissipates heat better
-less noisy then ceramic pads

I've been schooled again. :icon_idea: I knew ceramics didn't work well in the cold and could be noisy (mine are) but didn't know about the overheat. Guess that's why I've had trouble with rotors on the KJ, while my 98 Ranger with 143k and semi-mets still has it's original rotors.

 

[CactusJacked]

Semi-metallic pads...
Based on past experiences (not opinion), not recommended for use on a car that may sit over the winter, or the pads will rust the rotors creating a pitted low spot where the pads were resting, give you a bouncy brake pedal, and force you to buy new rotors.
Never experienced any stopping issues with the ceramic when cold, and damn it was extremely cold this winter. I don't tow heavy loads, nor panic stop, so mine have never overheated. For my use, ceramic is hands down the far better choice.

 

[tjkj2002]

not recommended for use on a car that may sit over the winter, or the pads will rust the rotors creating a pitted low spot where the pads were resting, give you a bouncy brake pedal, and force you to buy new rotors.
.

That happens on any rotor regardless of pads used.Bare metal tends to rust regardless.

 

[Dave]

I used NAPA premium rotors and ultra premium pads when I did mine. They seem to be holding up well.


Dave

 

[Snail Farmer]

I bought ceramic pads from my local parts store (not a chain store). I love how well they stop, and they aren't noisy at all. But I don't use my brakes very often. I downshift.

 

[tjkj2002]

I bought ceramic pads from my local parts store (not a chain store). I love how well they stop, and they aren't noisy at all. But I don't use my brakes very often. I downshift.

I'd love to be able to install a set of carbon ceramic brakes on the KJ,no noise,works hot or cold,zero brake fade regardless of brake temps,but cost a buttload to replace!!!!

 

[TheBlueKJ]

I'd love to be able to install a set of carbon ceramic brakes on the KJ,no noise,works hot or cold,zero brake fade regardless of brake temps,but cost a buttload to replace!!!!

Yea theyre like 3-4k a rotor or something like that

 

[tjkj2002]

Yea theyre like 3-4k a rotor or something like that

Yeah and those new Z28 owners are going to get a shock of a lifetime when it's time to do brakes!!!!!!!

 

[LibertyTC]

^ ouch that is crazy! ^^$$
As Troy mentioned Semi metallics are not effected by cold, but my concern is my 17" chrome clads will be, as in brake dust accumulations.
It is a real PITA to scrub off brake dust even with wheel cleaners and a tooth brush LOL.
So I guess ceramic is the way to go for me...OEM,Napa,Raybestos, or these Ideal Made in Canada...
Link to ideal: IDEAL Brake Parts Inc.: Jeep / Liberty / 2004

 

[tjkj2002]

^ ouch that is crazy! ^^$$
As Troy mentioned Semi metallics are not effected by cold, but my concern is my 17" chrome clads will be, as in brake dust accumulations.
It is a real PITA to scrub off brake dust even with wheel cleaners and a tooth brush LOL.
So I guess ceramic is the way to go for me...OEM,Napa,Raybestos, or these Ideal Made in Canada...
Link to ideal: IDEAL Brake Parts Inc.: Jeep / Liberty / 2004

The last ceramic pads I ran(besides OEM pads) dusted more then any semi-metallic pads I've ran since.Not the cheap ceramics pads either,they were EBC Yellow Stuff pads which sucked bad.

 

[CactusJacked]

but my concern is my 17" chrome clads will be, as in brake dust accumulations.
It is a real PITA to scrub off brake dust even with wheel cleaners and a tooth brush LOL.
So I guess ceramic is the way to go for me...OEM,Napa,Raybestos, or these Ideal Made in Canada...

That's another point I meant to bring up. With ceramic pads, I get no pad dust/wheel staining. On a couple of our other cars that have factory equipped semi metallic pads, the wheels look like crap and are darkly stained. Even after cleaning, the finish isn't nearly as good as they once were. If you have semi-metallic disc front/rear drum brakes, there's another good reason to rotate your tires front to back, so all the wheels have that matching ****** look to them.

 

[Cardhu]

my napa premium pads and rotors dust a bit but nothing a wheel brush and simple green and pressure washer won't take care of. heard that purple iron x stuff works well too but haven't seen it except on the interweb

Brake the boat with as little issue as you can hope for.