Best Way to Go on Brake Pads

I need to change the front brake pads on my 1996 Voyager. I called the
local NAPA and they offered me the choice of 3 grades-- economy
(softest and cheapest), mid (harder and more expensive), and premium
(hardest and most expensive).

What's the best way to go? If I go with the economy, I save money now
and reduce the risk of brake noise and rotor wear but have to replace
more often. If I go with premium, they'll last longer but I risk brake
noise and rotor wear.

-- Christian

 

It's a judgement call. I say it all depends on how you drive and how
long you plan to keep the vehicle. I always have $500 cars so I always
buy the cheapest parts I can get ... since the car is going to end up in
the junk yard, anyway, and I don't know when it's going to go.

 

Go with the semi-metallic pads. Those would be the mid-grade.

The cheap ones would be organic, which do wear out fast, and the high end
will be metallic which will make noise.

If you change the pads yourself and you don't have the rotors turned, at
least sand the surfaces of the rotors putting a swirl into them.

And don't forget that crap that goes between the pads and the caliper!!!!

 

I think the cheap ones stop better, but they might not when they fade. I
really do not care for high-end pads made to last forever. I have had some
cars that I felt didn't have adequate brakes with those slick bricks on
there.

 

My NAPA Pro-Link shows six (6) grades of front pads available for
a 1996 Plymouth Voyager, they are; (listed same order as their
page)

"True stop"
Cheap economy pads usually preferred by used car lots or people
who anticipate selling the vehicle. High iron content, they are
hard as hell and often break apart in a few years because they're
so brittle.
I'd only use 'em if there was nothing else available and then
toss 'em as soon as a real brake pad -was- available.

"Safety Stop Metallic"
Better quality, may make noise but will last longer than the true
Stops.

"AE Metallic"
Premium quality, often referred to as OEM equivalent, may make
noise like any other metallic, slightly rough on rotors.

"Safety Stop Ceramix"
Good quality, good wear characteristics, gentle on rotors, no
rust colored dusting, though they may dust black. Quiet when
installed properly. Priced in-between the safety Stop metallics
and the AE metallics, an excellent value.

"Ceramix"
Top gun pad, premium priced. No reason to use them if the Safety
Stop Ceramix are available since they look virtually identical.

"Severe Duty Metallic"
Aimed at the HD fleet market and/or towing or other heavy use.
Almost guaranteed to make noise, but who cares since it's a fleet
vehicle being driven to death.

My choice is almost always the Safety Stop Ceramix, they are
quiet, don't chew up rotors, don't break apart, come with the
shims attached. Haven't had a complaint after installing dozens
and dozens of sets.
One big advantage "Ceramix" have over the metallics is that as
they wear, much less metal (iron) is sloughed off to accumulate
on the related brake hardware, thus much less chance of the
calipers, slides, pins and bushings becoming seized and bound up
by accumulated rust. This is a big advantage in brake pad
longevity and future problems.

 

I was leaning toward the mid-- best of both worlds (longer wear w/
less noise).

I am doing it myself so I'll take your advice on sanding the rotors.

Yeah, I remember my dad used to say, "Oh, you don't that." That was
until my mom made him take apart recently installed brake pads and add
it because she couldn't stand the squeaking.

Thanks, all, for the help.

-- Christian

 

Do you have to brake "for others" often each day?
Around here, people have learned that they don't
have to follow the law, and they run most signs
and some lights. Then I have to brake, as they
are spilling through their stop sign into the highway.
My shop put on organic pads, lying to me.
Next time I will procure the pads myself,
getting semi-matallic. You need that grinding
hiss up front to cover for the quadrature
sinner coming up ahead!
Rotors are cheap, any are cheaper than the
"accidents" one must prevent during one's
daily toil.
Spend a lifetime braking for others. or die.

 

Apparently the local NAPA only carries three. I'm pretty sure I ended
up with the Safety Stop Ceramix so sounds like it'll work out. Already
have them on. Stopping is solid and quiet.

-- Christian