I've got 125k miles on my 04 and I'm hearing a dragging/scraping sound from the rear when I come to a stop. I figure 125k is a good run for the original brakes so I'm planning to swap out the pads and rotors. The rotors can probably be turned, but it seems that 1/2 the time I have rotors turned they warp soon after.

So I went to the Rock Auto site and found prices ranging from $15.90 (Raybestos service grade) to $73.79 (Centric OEM formula).

So my question is, what's worth paying for and is there a brake pad that's the all around favorite? Same for vendors, I started at Rock Auto, but I've never bought from them so I'm open to other places too.

The truck is my daily driver. I'm happy with the performance and life of the OEM pads. Dust isn't an issue for me. When I have the truck washed a couple of times a year the dust comes off. The rest of the time, it forms a protective coating on my wheels and that's OK.

Thanks.

 

If you plan to purchase from Rock Auto, here is a discount code for 5 percent off : 28172072327553. This offer is valid until 4/18/2010.

 

I recently installed EBC's Greenstuff pads on the front of my 03 and immediately noticed a vast improvement in stopping power. The rear pads and rotors are originals.
I also have front and rear EBC Greenstuff pads and blank rotors on my 01.5 as well. I find that the dust is a non issue with them and washes right off. The best price that I found was at:

http://www.autoanything.com/brands/102A494.aspx

 

"IF" you want to use a parts house brand, I have had excellent luck with Wagner Thermoquiet from O'reilly auto parts. If you buy rotors there, get the Wagner's also. They have held up wonderfully on everything I own, this truck included.

On a side note, I also take the time to degrease the new rotors and paint them inside and out with VHT 1200 degree ceramic paint, making sure to get in all the vanes, and cure them overnight. Then I take them to the brake lathe for a .005" fine cut to true them up after paint. Keeping them from rusting keeps mass on the rotor, which helps them not warp.

 

I checkout that link Drizz, They did not have an option for a 2500 5.9L But they did for a 3500. Do they run the same brakes?

 

Yes, same pads.

 

Great. Thanks.

 

I'm running Hawk Super Duties up front.
They have a similar pedal feel to the OEM brakes, and produce a little less dust.
Braking performance seems slightly better than OM pads, but I really haven't taken a tape measure to my stopping distances so I can't say for certain.

 

Raybestos premium from rockauto something like 60 bucks great pads so far after 25k.

 

akebono ceramics here. no issues. very little if any brake dust either.

 

What sort of life can I expect from the Greenstuff pads compared to the OEM? Stopping power is nice, but I have no complaints about the stopping power of the OEM pads and I don't want to pay for stopping power with a big loss of pad life. I like only having to replace them at 125k.

 

I ran the Greenstuff and found them superior to OEM in every respect except life. I just replaced them for NAPA premium.

For comparison, I replaced OEM fronts at 115k. I replaced the greenstuff just last weekend at 150k. THe greenstuff could have gone maybe another 10-15k. I replaced only because I was doing the rear as well. The OEM lasting until 150k.

 

I'm intrigued by this thread, I've got 125k on my originals and still stopping well with no squeal or noises.

I probably should pull the calipers and take a look soon though as i don't want to trash the rotors.

 

Thanks to all those who posted. I finally went with heavy duty OEM type pads and OEM rotors from Autoanything. The pads claim 20-40% better stopping power and the rotors are made by the same people who make the originals. The pads come with lifetime replacement warranty. They had rotors with lifetime replacement but they were drilled/slotted and cost $600 instead of $300 for the set of 4. Given a 6 year life on the first set of rotors, paying twice the price for the warranty didn't seem like a good investment and I don't feel like I need the drilled slotted for my driving habits.

The total ran me about $550 with tax, to my door.

 

When a system has both new rotors and pads, I find it a best practice to perform the proper bed-in procedure as prescribed by the manufacturer. This procedure is a must in order to gain the full potential and optimum performance from the braking system.