This is a much questioned subject and I "HAVE"
read almost all of the commentaries here on
disc brake pads for our F-150s.

I'm narrowed down to either J.C.Whitney's
Titaniums or the Bendix Titaniumettalic pads.

I cannot (due some physical "modifications" to my
body from a drunk driver) make the changes myself
and will have to have it done, but the shop is
cool about bringing in my own (and the back
drums are finally, after 99K, getting done - hate
the back wheels ABS only system!)

I checked 'CarboTechs' site, no longer doing
some of their brakes (Hawk went belly up or
something so their resource is dry)...

While I see the "disc" pads being discussed,
any thoughts on "SHOES"???

Lastly, as it is in the shop... what about draining and replacing the brake fluid? After nearly 100K, should that be done? And THOUGHTS
on either staying with the 3 (or is it 4) or
going to the 'synth'... Thanks.

 

if you do go synthetic it will require a complete flush and cleansing of the system....to much to-do over just brake fluid...stay with what is recommended on the brake resourvar cap and have the entire system flushed out and bled....you may find that your gonna need new rotors,especially if you go to the titaniums...theyll heat and warp quickly... i put stainless rotors with ceramic pads and am very pleased with the outcome....as for the rears the ceramics are fine but i find when thier cool in the morning they make an annoying rubbing sound until they warm up

 

When I changed pads I went for the lifetime carbon metallic pads from Auto Zone because they replace them whenever they wear out. I did not see any improvement in braking but I liked the warranty on them. They were expensive (around 55.00) but since I will not have to buy again, I thought it was a good deal.

 

Tex,
Are you saying that the rotors will warp UPON
installing the new pads w/ Titanium 'solely' from
the finish on the pads? I haven't heard that and
would like to think about it... any resources of
that kind of problem vs. some other pad and NO
warping?
Thanks...

 

you,ll have to have them turned due to the milage to bring them true...only making them thinner....the improved friction of the titaniums will increase the surface heat on the rotor and youll begin to feel a shutter from the steering wheel at high speed braking (exiting off the highway) which will graduate to the slower speeds.....to save you the aggrevation of having "to go back" i would recommend replacing the rotors

 

Perhaps not...
I had them checked with the calipers and they
are almost perfect.
Had them turned once, last pad change.

So far, this time looks good... but DOES the
use of Titanium cause ANY negative changes to
the rotor that OEMs would not (I don't think
so, but still asking)...

Thanks.

 

Doc:

Calipers only measure rotor thickness (amount of material left) but they cannot measure "run-out" (the amount of warp the rotor has). So, you may have a good reading from the calipers but you still could have pulsations caused by warped rotors.

 

Yup...
So far, no pulsing. Will have the shop
check it for run out on the computer. I noted
on my receipt from a couple of years ago that
I did put on new rotors.

Might try the vented ones, but low on cash so
hoping that I can just go pads and shoes on the
back... hate to bust the piggybank...

Danka.