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When installing friction on a vehicle, it is important to decide what type of material you are going to use. The two most common friction types are ceramic and semi-metallic. Consider the following questions when deciding which friction material to go with.
• What was the original equipment on the vehicle?
• What type of vehicle is this going on?
• What is the vehicle used for?
• What is the driver’s driving style?
• What features and benefits are most important?
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In this video, we discuss how to determine what type of brake pads were on the vehicle you are working on. We also discuss how to determine what type of material to put on your vehicle.
What Friction was on Your Vehicle?
When doing a brake job, take a look at the surface of the rotor. This will tell you what type of friction was on the vehicle.
If there is a lip on the edge of the rotor and/or the rotor surface has a bumpy surface, that tells you that semi-metallic pads were on the vehicle.
If there is a layer of friction material on the surface of the rotor, that tells you that ceramic pads were on the vehicle.
Semi-Metallic Friction
This formula is best for larger trucks, vehicles used for towing and specialty vehicles. This pad is great for drivers who use their vehicle for situations beyond every day driving. It is a great formula for drivers looking for strong pedal feel, great stopping power and a solid performance.
Ceramic Friction
Ceramic is the most common material in the marketplace today. The biggest strength of ceramic is it provides a clean, noise-free, and low-dust operation. This formula is best used for everyday drivers looking for premium braking performance.
i put ceramics on the motorcycle & it make a huge difference over stock organic.
I’m so confused why wouldn’t you want ceramics for an heavy load usage? Wouldn’t they be way better? Less brake fade, and last way longer
I haul every day. Yes semi metallic does the job to stop. The down side warps your rotors due to excessive heat. Every time I go to change the brake pads might as well change the rotors but becomes more expensive. I mean can turn those rotors but over time will warp even more 🤷♂️.
Just go back to the ceramic brakes does stop just a little bit of distance. For hauling within 5-6 months or less depending how much braking.
Don’t go organic 😂 those will wear out within a month or less especially hauling. They are way way way too soft. Those I recommend to seniors only go to groceries and doc visits. Compare young bucks going to work, hwy or freeway or beltway with constant stops.
Thank you for posting this 7 years ago!
I am going with those Raybestos Specialty (PER) Rotors for my 2009 Subaru Outback that warped OEM & now parts store replacement rotors.
I know this is an older video, but: Question if you’re still out there.
You mentioned putting OEM Ceramic pads back on that truck. Did you consider selecting the Raybestos Element 3 EHT Enhanced Hybrid Technology (EHT) pads that will likely outperform OEM Ceramics? Price appears close. Thanks!
Thanks for the guidance. I just swapped to ceramic pads and I love the results but I’m not hauling anything or towing.