1 Ton Diesel Brake Pad Question

kmk1012 · Jan 12, 2022

My OEM pads are squealing like crazy on my daily driver 19 F350. It's driving me nuts and I want it to stop. The brake dust is a little excessive too on the wheels. After several hours of research I'm more confused than when I started and almost wanting to say F-it and stick with the squeaks coming to a stop. Any real world experience here? My truck has 55k miles, daily driven-mostly highway, and rarely towing. I'm looking for #1-quiet, #2-low brake dust, cost is of no concern. Once again, looking for REAL WORLD experience, not a Tesla or Prius driver, LOL. Nothing wrong with the original rotors but not opposed to replacing them as well. I just want this to STOP making noise when coming up to a stop sign.

Certaindeaf · Jan 12, 2022

Sounds like you need new pads.

TTSX · Jan 13, 2022

Ceramic pads and new or resurfaced rotors. NO PAD SLAPPING. Some companies produce pads specifically for low brake dust but ceramic in general will lower it.

72scoutman · Jan 13, 2022

I buy cheaper pads. Those "lifetime" and ceramic pads don't grab as hard and will wear out your rotors a whole lot faster. I can't stand ceramic pads, yes they will last longer yes they won't heat up as fast in extended braking situations but if you know how to drive the dumb thing the cheaper ones will serve you better in the long run without wearing out your rotors. I'm sure some internet brake specialist will be along in short order to tell me how wrong and confused I am but that's been my experience and what has worked well on at least four one ton trucks and a few smaller as well.

kmk1012 · Jan 13, 2022

Brake life is no where as important to me as no squealing, reduced brake dust would be nice as well.

TNThomas · Jan 13, 2022

I dont know about the new ones, but my 2009 F250HD is really hard on front brakes, its common on my gen of 250 andv350. Ive had both lock up on me (seperate occassions). My clue was a sluggishness, followed 15 min later with burning brake fluid smell. Let air out, dumped water on it, and made it home. Now I ride with a squirt bottle full of water and an extra gallon to get me home in case it happens again. Last time it was the front drivers side that lockedcked up, aired down half way, (to accomidate heating gas in tire/and higher pressure), rode the whole way home (5mi) squirting the steel wheel to keep it cool. There is alot of mass in that truck. Lots of friction and heat on those pads, so an easy point for failure.

TNThomas · Jan 13, 2022

I wouldnt be surprised for similar issues on yours.

kmk1012 · Jan 13, 2022

Thanks for the tip. I worked in a brake shop for several years in the past and installed what "corporate" approved to install. Generally semi metallic or organic. This being my first heavy duty vehicle has been a little disappointing. I'm gathering that the Powerstop Z36 or EBC Green are the way to go. I was hoping to someone who has driven with either before I drop the coin. My brakes are still over 90% remaining but I'm tired of the noise. New rotors will come with it as well.

TTSX · Jan 13, 2022

kmk1012 said:
Thanks for the tip. I worked in a brake shop for several years in the past and installed what "corporate" approved to install. Generally semi metallic or organic. This being my first heavy duty vehicle has been a little disappointing. I'm gathering that the Powerstop Z36 or EBC Green are the way to go. I was hoping to someone who has driven with either before I drop the coin. My brakes are still over 90% remaining but I'm tired of the noise. New rotors will come with it as well.

Sounds like you already know what you're doing. I'll add to my comment that we use Centric brand ceramic pads and rotors, always replaced together and we nearly never have brake noise complaints and we often get our full usage from them. Nearly every vehicle we have is an F250-550 on the light duty side, and there are dozens of them. So that's my lived experience

Ura-Ki · Jan 13, 2022

I have ran a bunch of heavy duty trucks over the years, couple things to look at!
1) When replacing the pads, did you turn the rotors?
If not, they will have a glaze to them and the new pads wont take a set, and they will always squeal like hell!
2) There IS a left and right side brake pad, if you don't get them in correctly, your going to have issues
3) most Ford pads use an "Anti Squeal" additive you apply to the back of the pad, sometimes even a shim, if you didn't, you know why the squeal now
4) the front calipers slide on a set of pins, make sure those are clean and greased liberally with never seize ( Copper, Not Aluminum) if you don't you can have all sorts of issues!

Fortunately, it's not that big a deal, and there are things you can do to fix it, or upgrade! FIRST, pitch the stock Rotors and get a set of the TRW Drilled and Slotted HD brake Rotors, they are made specifically for heavy duty use, and will give you much more stopping power, especially if you are towing a lot!
Call up SIX STATES in Portland and have them source you a set of the FORD HD-Max brake pads, ( Hade by Hawk Racing ) and make sure you get them installed correctly! EBC pads are great, but they tend to chew up rotors, to the point that every brake job will require new rotors with the pads!

Hope this helps!

kmk1012 · Jan 13, 2022

Ura-Ki said:
I have ran a bunch of heavy duty trucks over the years, couple things to look at!
1) When replacing the pads, did you turn the rotors?
If not, they will have a glaze to them and the new pads wont take a set, and they will always squeal like hell!
2) There IS a left and right side brake pad, if you don't get them in correctly, your going to have issues
3) most Ford pads use an "Anti Squeal" additive you apply to the back of the pad, sometimes even a shim, if you didn't, you know why the squeal now
4) the front calipers slide on a set of pins, make sure those are clean and greased liberally with never seize ( Copper, Not Aluminum) if you don't you can have all sorts of issues!

Fortunately, it's not that big a deal, and there are things you can do to fix it, or upgrade! FIRST, pitch the stock Rotors and get a set of the TRW Drilled and Slotted HD brake Rotors, they are made specifically for heavy duty use, and will give you much more stopping power, especially if you are towing a lot!
Call up SIX STATES in Portland and have them source you a set of the FORD HD-Max brake pads, ( Hade by Hawk Racing ) and make sure you get them installed correctly! EBC pads are great, but they tend to chew up rotors, to the point that every brake job will require new rotors with the pads!

Hope this helps!

Great points for sure! I haven't done anything yet on it. They are the original brakes on it with 55k on them. I used to install brakes for Les Schwab and completely understand the importance of resurfacing rotors for proper seat in. There's a Six States in Salem that I've used in the past, I'll give them a call about the pads.