After 250,000 miles, 19 years of service, and 6 or 7 complete brake jobs I am wanting to do it better this time. I have a 96 Ram 3500 4wd Cummins, have put a lot of time and money in powertrain upgrades, now for brakes.


I am going to split the front hub and rotor assembly and replace the rotors, my question being what brand do you recommend. All the 'ol sandbys like AC Delco, Raybestos etc. but now I see ones like EBC, Centric, Hawk and so on. Slotted and drilled??? Money like always is in the picture but not the sole factor here. And pads, I have been running ceramic pads, what do you recommend???? Also, rather than splitting the hub/rotor assembly would you just buy the new assembled unit???


As always you guys have pointed me in the right direction. Looking forward to your help.
Mike

 

I have used ebc the last three brake jobs and had good luck . the trucks had four brake jobs in 250000 miles in 13 years

 

I know the older 2nd gen trucks came with smaller brakes than the later 2nd gen years, and maybe this isnt what you wanted to hear but I cant complain about the OEM stuff. I have just over 100k on my truck and the factory front brakes are around 1/2 left and the drums look new. I also have an exhaust brake and use it all the time which I know helps remove wear from the service brakes. Also, I've never been a fan of over the counter parts store parts either as you never know what you're getting.

 

You changed rotors each time?

I'll be doing brakes soon also ....

 

The time i get to the brakes about five years the rotors are done to low to turn, pads and rotors ware about the same 80,000 miles is pretty good life on a heavy truck

 

Tried several different pads on these trucks, fighting chassis dynamics issues on extreme use commercial and ranch trucks. The one I ended up with is the Raybestos Quiet Stop PGD459QS. This is a ceramic pad which will put up with a high heat load without causing brake pulls or premature wear. They don't seem to wear the rotors any worse than anything else either.

Looks like they have updated the part number to ATD459C but it appears to be the same part.

Just my opinion.

 

Not sure if this helps. I have had great life out of Hawk pads. almost 90k miles. I have approx 30% life left. This is with 37" Tires and a Hot-Rod foot.
I keept telling myself I would do the 3rd gen brake upgrade when these pads failed or died. but 7 years later they are still kicking.

I bought the hawk pads from either Geno's garage or Rockauto.com I cant remember, i know they must have had a special or where on sale.

 

I have heard much good things about Hawk brake products.

 

mybajadodgeram, have you upgraded to the larger wheel cylinders for your rear brakes yet? If not, that'll certainly help a lot.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the Napa part number is 37337.