It is nearing the time when I need to replace the pads on my 02...does anyone use ceramic or high performance pads on there truck?

 

I switched to NAPA Ceramic pads and they are excellent. The problem is they warped my cheap JC Whitney rotors. I replaced with cryogenically treated rotors from here
http://www.frozenrotors.com/Search.b...on+F150+rotors
and so far so good but they have only been on for a week or two.

 

Thanks...do they leave much dust? These factory pads are horrible about leaving brake dust everywhere!!! I still have factory rotors so hopefully the warpage will not be an issue.

 

I put Bendix ceramics on mine with Brembo rotors (from Tire Rack) and couldn't be happier. They stop better than the factory pads and produce much less dust. I've now got over 11,000 miles on the front set with virtually no visible wear on the rotors.

 

I used Napa Ceramix as well on my last F-150 with Autozone rotors which also warped in less than a year. I only recommend ceramic pads if you upgrade your rotors. Otherwise, Bendix Titanium pads are great and low dusting.

 

WLF and APT.

Looks like you have both learned...............Stay away from "cheap" rotors, they will give you problems no matter what pads you use.

 

So if I am gonna go with ceramics...ditch my factory rotors?

 

It is always best to start with new (OEM) rotors, but since your truck is a 2002 (first brake job) and you haven't gone metal-to-metal. You can just get them machined, and you will be fine. I have a 2003 F150 and got a set of Akebono Ceramic Pads on my truck shortly after I bought it. Smooth, quiet, and low dust! Rock Auto or Tirerack are great internet companies to get them from. Good Luck!

 

Thanks. I'll check into that!!

 

Not to make myself sound like a dumba**, but I was under the impression that our trucks were equipped from the factory with ceramic pads. Is this incorrect?

 

Reloader, OEM pads are semi-metallic.

 

Thanks for clearing that up. I heard on here that OEM pads were ceramic, but I guess someone was incorrect that stated that. I suppose semi-metallic OEM pads are just fine for our trucks. What is the difference between the two, like pedal feel, how ceramics wear compared to semi-metallics, How well they actually stop the vehicle.......

 

Yes!

 

I just put ceramic pads on my '99 about a month ago. They feel fine - just like OEM during normal driving. Haven't driven hard or done any panic stops.

So far, there is NO brake dust. This is the big change from the last set of pads I had (Carquest, I think, which were dustier than stock).

Some of the confusion on whether the stock pads are ceramic may come from www.tirerack.com When I recently searched for pads for my '99 truck, tire rack says that ceramic pads are specified. Last time I searched tire rack for pads a few years ago I don't remember their site saying anything about ceramic being recommended.

 

When the 1997 F150's first came out they originally had ceramic pads, the part number was F65Z-2001-AA these were made by Akebono, but due to the automakers continual goal to cut cost semi-metallic pads were then used. I do not know how long, months or years, but these trucks did come with the ceramic pads. This is why you see conflicting information about this platform.