are ceramic brake pads any good?
Ceramic Brake pads July 20th, 2009
I work on a fleet of police cars, and have begun converting them from metallic pads to ceramic pads due to noise complaints from the deputies who ABUSE these cars.
Ceramic pads are quieter, offer better resistance to brake fade under heavy use, and produce less dust. the pedal feel is only slightly different than the metallic pads.
The downside is that ceramic pads wear rotors out at a much greater rate, and due to their heat resistance, have a tendency to hard spot and warp rotors that are not designed for heavy use.
If the car/truck you are planning to install them on is your daily driver, your satisfaction with ceramic pads will be dependent upon how hard you use them. they are great for high performance and severe service applications (given that you have made the appropriate mods to the rest of the system), but be ready to "pay the piper" if all you are doing is installing pads.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:22 am
yup, they are the best. for least amount of dust, wear life, and braking power.
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July 20th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Yes. Next to Brembo pads,they are the best. ceramic pads stay cooler than other pads for less fading during high usage.
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July 20th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Servicing brakes 25 years ago required few decisions other than choosing a mechanic. Disc and drum brakes used only two types of friction materials–semimetallic and asbestos. The mechanic simply replaced the old pad or shoe with the same type. Aftermarket suppliers rarely offered different performance grades or price points for either type of pad.
Today, however, asbestos has been eliminated in new vehicles, because it can’t meet higher performance standards and there is concern over health hazards from asbestos dust. Complaints about noise and comfort also prompted automaker suppliers to develop additional friction compounds. The aftermarket followed this trend of engineering for specific vehicle applications and now offers a dizzying array of replacement brake products under dozens of brand names. To help guide consumers in their choice of brake pads, there are now two different certification programs, which we describe below.
Most of the following information focuses on pads for disc brakes, but much of the advice also covers brake shoes, which are used in drum brakes. Brake pads and shoes support the friction material that contacts the rotors (on disc brakes) or drums to create drag and slow down the vehicle. Since the linings are designed to wear away faster than the rotor or drum, they need replacement more often.
The different friction materials in use today often have design compromises. While one may offer superior heat transfer–and therefore better braking performance–it may also be noisier and create ugly brake dust that sticks to the wheel. Another friction compound may have a soft feel, and work quietly, but wear out much more quickly.
Do you need new brake pads?
Usually, the first sign of excessive pad wear is a high-pitched squealing sound that can happen even when the brakes aren’t applied. This sound is intentionally caused by a soft-metal wear indicator that rubs against the brake rotor to alert the driver that a change is needed. Other symptoms can include the vehicle pulling to one side under braking, which could indicate bigger problems as well, the brakes grabbing or vibrating, and the brake pedal feeling softer to depress. A grinding sound means that replacement is overdue and the worn brake pads may be damaging the brake rotors. Always check the owner’s manual for any brake-related recommendations, including pad replacement intervals.
Types of brake pads
There are four general types of brake pads for cars and trucks:
Semimetallic: This formula, containing about 30 to 65 percent metal, typically includes chopped steel wool or wire, iron powder, copper or graphite mixed with inorganic fillers, and friction modifiers that bond all the ingredients together. These pads are more durable and have excellent heat transfer, but also wear down rotors faster, have intrusive noise characteristics, and may not perform as well under low-temperature conditions.
Nonasbestos organic: Sometimes listed as organic or NAO, this type of pad is made by mixing nonasbestos fibers, such as glass, rubber, carbon, and Kevlar, with filler materials and high-temperature resins. These pads are softer and create less noise, but they wear faster and create more dust.
Low-metallic NAO: These are made from an organic formula mixed with small amounts (10 to 30 percent) of copper or steel to help with heat transfer and provide better braking. With the added metal, there is more brake dust and they may be slightly noisier.
Ceramic: These are composed of ceramic fibers, nonferrous filler materials, bonding agents, and possibly small amounts of metal. Lighter in color and more expensive than other brake pads, ceramic pads are cleaner and quieter, and offer excellent braking characteristics without wearing down the rotors.
References :
Consumer Reports
July 20th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
It depends on your definition of good. What kind of vehicle are they going on? I have changed quite a few vehicles that came with semi metallic pads to ceramic pads. They feel to give a lot smoother breaking action. Very little braked dust, and they do seem to last longer, but that could just be me or the driving conditions. If your changing a semi metallic equipped car to ceramic pads, one of the downsides, the ceramic pads don’t "bite" like semi pads do. when you apply brake pressure to the pedal with semi pads, they have a tendency to "grab" ceramics don’t. This can be a little annoying or make someone think that the pads don’t stop as well.
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July 20th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
right now there the best on the market,,i have used them for a while and i really like them, they stop better and don’t make hardly any brake dust on the wheels,,there expensive though but worth it i think,, i own a repair shop,,and now most of my customers prefer them over regular pads,and i cant say that i blame them there well worth the extra money they cost,good luck i hope this help,s.
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been a certified mechanic for 36 yrs.
July 20th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
I work on a fleet of police cars, and have begun converting them from metallic pads to ceramic pads due to noise complaints from the deputies who ABUSE these cars.
Ceramic pads are quieter, offer better resistance to brake fade under heavy use, and produce less dust. the pedal feel is only slightly different than the metallic pads.
The downside is that ceramic pads wear rotors out at a much greater rate, and due to their heat resistance, have a tendency to hard spot and warp rotors that are not designed for heavy use.
If the car/truck you are planning to install them on is your daily driver, your satisfaction with ceramic pads will be dependent upon how hard you use them. they are great for high performance and severe service applications (given that you have made the appropriate mods to the rest of the system), but be ready to "pay the piper" if all you are doing is installing pads.
References :
35 year mechanic; 15+ years ASE certified.