What pads and shoes do y'all use? I'm kinda on a budget and so I can't really afford the most expensive brands. I'm just looking for a medium price, good quality stuff. I'm also planning on putting in the GM wheel cylinders too, so that should help my braking.

 

I bought the cheapest Napa brake pads. I think they were $18. They have been doing pretty good, but I have noticed a little more brake dust on the wheels. I haven't had to replace the shoes yet, so I can't help you there.

 

Yup

thats the ones i have as well, and here is just FYI, the same pads that my dads 2000 chevy 2500 HD (old 98 body style) uses the same brake pads as my truck.. go figure.....

Tx

 

I don't really care too much about brake dust, my truck gets washed when it rains. Working on a ranch keeps it really dirty all the time.

 

I always use the cheaper ones as well as the more expensive types tend to wear on the rotors more.Pads are much cheaper and easier to replace than rotors.

 

My forty years in the brake business CTD owner friend recommends the cheapest Napa shoes in the back and the lowest grade Hawk pads from www.tirerack.com in the front.
The Hawk pads are more expensive than cheap autoparts pads but their extra life will more than pay for it.
Avoid "lifetime warranty" pads all costs, they will ruin your rotors.

 

Hmmmm...this is news to me. Good to know, esp. since I almost bought a set of the Wagner lifetime pads the last time I had to change em!

 

The only way they can make money offering a lifetime warranty is if the pads wear out very slowly. They do this because they are hard and wear out the rotor instead.

 

Yeah, I gathered that.

 

I have Medium Napa pads....i think theres the softer ones...then mine then some *heavy duty* ones.....I'd go with the softer ones if possible for the rotors like said above
TNutcher

 

Infidel may have a point, but, my experiences with brake pads seems to also require the rotors turned along with new pads. So most times the second time around you have to replace the rotors anyway. Sooner or later you'll wait to long and cut the rotors with the pads after they wear out.

At 52,000 miles on my truck, I replaced the Rotors, pads, brake lines, clips and axle nuts. I used Warner Extreme Service pads. At 145,000 miles I though I needed to replace the pads. What I saw was the right front inside pad was worn within 1/4 of gone. The rest of the pads had 1/2" remaining. I had a sticking caliber. Replaced the calipers, rotors, brake lines, clips and pads. Used the Warners again.

I figure, its cheaper this way with the cost of labor being the way it is. One time in a 100k is cheaper than two visits for the same problem.

If you do it yourself, thats not an issue.

Dave

 

Don't really know cause I'm coming up on 170,000 miles and never changed them yet on the 99. Still way over half left on front and back.
Stay away from the carbon fiber or metallic pads though. They will machine the rotors. Found that out on my older trucks.

 

Same here. I have 148,000 on my 99 dually and the pads and shoes look like new. Even the E-brake works great.

I've always used the cheapo stuff and had good luck with them. They might wear out in 75k or so but at 15 bucks an axel who cares.

Now my wife will wear them out in 20k so it becomes a once a year event, but still my van has 150k on it and 6 or 7 sets of pads on the original rotors. I've done them enough times now that I can change them in rain and not get wet. haha