Has anyone used the premier ($~60) or the ceramic (~$105) front disc brake pads from NAPA auto parts?

I have a 97 F-150 ext cab and the rotors have warped twice. I purchased new rotors from NAPA and they have 3 levels of pads.
-Cheepo
-Premium
-Ceramic $$$$

I hate to spend $105 for pad but I am sick of the excessive brake dust from the performance friction pads and the surging I get with the warped rotors as I slow down.

Any info is much appreciated.

Thanks

 

Napa Ceramics: They are good but do not develop any more friction than good quality OEM linings

Performance friction: Good braking, increased friction but very dirty compared to OEM.

Recommendation: CarboTech Engineering Street Fighter lining. High friction co-efficient, less dust than OEM linings. $130 a set.They have a web site.

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Member: Never trust a person over 40 who drives a Chevy club
Flatheads ain't so bad!
Certified backyard mechanic I & II

 

Just wondering if the P.F. pads you are using are the "Z" pads?

I installed a set of "regular" P.F. carbon-metallic ones on the Expedition and have not noticed any more (or less) brake dust than the OEM pads.

 

I don't remember if they were the Z pads or not. But these pads are much much dirtier than the OEM. They also have much more stopping power than the OEM pads had.

 

Do the Carbotech pads have a good feel to them or do they feel grabby (technical term) due to the higher friction co-efficient?

 

They have a very firm feel to them, no grab like action has been observed to date. Although they come with anti squeel (vibraion) shims for the disc, you must use the anti squeel glue also, otherwise they make a little noise in very heavy traffic. Pedal modulation is very controlable. My wifes 97 Cougar Sport (V8), 4 wheel disc, stops straight with very light steering correction at 100 mph, no brake fade observed, still had more than enough braking power to lock up all 4's at 50 mph if desired (vehicle does not have anti-locks).

Jeff

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Member: Never trust a person over 40 who drives a Chevy club
Flatheads ain't so bad!
Certified backyard mechanic I & II

 

Had a shop with a Napa parts agreement sell me on the Ceramic pads and Napa rotors. Rotors went out of round in less than 12000km and had to be re-cut, I have problems again after another 10000km. Previously would get about 80000km out of the fronts, and didn't pay the close to 2x premium Napa wants.
Can't afford to be doing brakes every 6months, will never buy Napa again.

 

Holy smokes this thread is almost 8 years old

 

 

What is the deal here?

I see one person post a question and he is told he should have done a search because that question has been answered.

Then I see another person do a search and comment in the thread he finds and he is told that is not right either.

 

Buy Carquest blues, great brake pads with low dust, I put Wagner thermo-quiets on and again great pads and very low dust....