Going on a week and half with mine and little to no dust!! I couldn't go a day without dust with the other pads. I also tow a boat. I haven't heard that ceramics were bad for towing. I guess I will find out.

 

I've looked at ceramics from 39.99 to 120.00, all seem OK. The only thing I don't like about them is every site with a comparison say they don't stop as well at low speed, or when cold. They all stop better when hot, or at high speed.

This matches my results last time I used them, on a sportscar in the ninties. They were absolutly the best at high speed, but you had to push harder at 5-15 miles an hour. And they were great after several high speed stops, where the semi-metallics would start to go low on the pedal.

The exact same results as when we jumped from the original to semi-metallic.

I have no dust problems since I put on the KleenWheels, but I like all the braking I can get.
Chris

 

OK, I work at a NAPA!

Heres what I know,

NAPA offers two grades of ceramic pads, A ceramic blend, the ss----x pads, and the full CMX---- pads. The blend pads are great fro all of the newes cars today with noise dampened iron rotors, with low dust.

The big daddys CMX full ceramic pads are where it's at though( Yea a little more ~$100) but they are worth every penny. You know that you get what you pay for. We do also offer preimum rotors, which are exactly like OE's sometimes better, and a performance rotor. Again that rotor is expensive, but it is drilled and slotted. this is the way I am going to go when my dusty *** original pads go.

Also, EVERY highway patrol camaro that has a brake job gets this treatment, the Preformance rotors and CMX full creamic pads from NAPA.

to me there is not a better alternative from a parts store, other than upgrading the whole brake setup like BAER of BREMBO.

Just my 10 cent!

 

Got my Wagner Thermo pads(supposed to be ceramic) installed yesterday. They work great, will know in a week if the dust is better.

 

I'm with you bluejay. I can't find these deals anywhere, even after calling Autozone and Napa. Anyone in the DFW area found 'em for less that $99?

 

Auto Zone and Advance Auto Parts both have ceramic for under $50 in my local area

 

Checker, Kragen, Schuks has them for 49.95

 

Bought Akebono's for all around from Tirerack. Installed today....braking is excellent.....will update on dust.

 

Bought my full ceramic (Friction Masters) at Advance Auto yesterday. Price was 44.98. Autozone and Pep Boys both wanted 98.00 for comparable pads.

 

Hey NAPA Guy,

In your honest non-NAPA-company-line-opinion, are the NAPA CMXs better than the Porterfield ceramics? I'm staying away from these $40 & $50 pads people are talking about, becuase, like you, I have learned that you do get what you pay for. The cheapies can't be comparable.

Thanks

 

$50 bucks ain’t exactly cheap for one set of pads

 

UPDATE:
Ok, I have had the pads on almost a week. By now, with the originals, my front wheels would be charcoal and the rear would still be shinny, just road film. With the new Wagners, the front look just like the rear, no excessive brake dust. I have since found out that though I specifically requested ceramic pads, these are not ceramic, but semi-metallic as are the factory pads. These are just much better quality. No vibe, no noise, good stopping and most of all, no brake dust. I am irratated at the sales guy, happy with the results. The Wagner part number is MX-1083 and cost me $45 and a couple of hours. I did not turn the rotors, just cleaned them. with 13,189 miles.

 

Sure it is. Look at the size compared to other pads. I paid $65 for pads for my Mustang (Bendex titanium) parts counter guy said they were great well I had them on for about 180 miles before I ripped them out and through them in the garbage. (I think Autozone $10 pads would have worked better) Went to Pepboys and got Rabestos ceramics for $89.00 and they were 100x better. Im probably going that route again.

 

So the more expensive ones are thicker?

 

I had " the cheapies " on a ranger for years. Not a damn thing wrong with the one I use ( Satisfied Pro Ceramics ) A lot are made by the same company anyhow and re-packaged!