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scootsk
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2023

Carbon ceramic pads question

Hey all

Just ordered Power Stop carbon fiber ceramic severe duty truck& tow pads for my 2014 Ram 3500 CC LB dually. Most of the driving in that truck is towing out 14k lb. FW. My question, is it okay to use carbon fiber Ceramic pads with the stock rotors?
  • StonedPanther wrote:
    valhalla360 wrote:
    First question...why do you feel the need?


    Perhaps he's down to 15%- 20% on the pads and does not get into listening and feeling to metal grind against metal would be my guess.


    Seems plausible. 360s question would have been much more valid if the OP said he had a 2022 truck…
    That said I’ve thrown away basically every organic or semi metallic pad on any vehicle I’ve bought in the last 10-15 years and swapped to ceramic. Mostly because copious amounts of brake dust stuck to wheels hurts my brain….but in the case of our SRT, it was not only brake dust, but the pads that come with the big Brembo brakes were actually TOO good for daily driving. Wonderful for track use but toning down the brake response of those 6 piston calipers with the super soft OE pads really improved the drive ability.
  • Short answer is yes. It's a brake pad sold for that truck and it will work on your stock rotors.
  • What does the pad manufacturer say? After all they designed and tested them for some special purpose.
    Maybe the brand, part number or a link would help people know what is actually on the table here.
  • StonedPanther wrote:
    valhalla360 wrote:
    First question...why do you feel the need?


    Perhaps he's down to 15%- 20% on the pads and does not get into listening and feeling to metal grind against metal would be my guess.


    If the brakes are grinding to the point you can hear it and it's to the point of being annoying, a regular brake job should fix the problem without getting exotic.

    So again to the OP, what is the problem you are trying to fix?
  • valhalla360 wrote:
    First question...why do you feel the need?


    Perhaps he's down to 15%- 20% on the pads and does not get into listening and feeling to metal grind against metal would be my guess.
  • They'll be fine with the stock rotors although if I was going with the Z36 Powerstop pads, why not just drop a few hundred $ and get the whole kit? On a 2014 you probably need to replace the rotors anyway just from rust damage if you are driving that rig in NY during the winter. Swap the stock rotors out with Z36 drilled and slotted rotors. The Powerstop Z36 stuff is miles above and beyond anything OEM or sold at the rip off auto part store such as regular ol brake pads like Duracrap in quality, and is specifically made for towing and hauling. The only way you could go better is go with EBC and then you'll really pay out the butt lol.
  • fj12ryder wrote:
    Don't see why not. If it wasn't okay, send them back and get some regular ol' brake pads. Fancy sounding pads just cost more. Unless you're going racing hi zoot brake pads are not really necessary. Just another way to separate you from your money.


    Clearly someone who doesn’t understand what they’re talking about. Or happens to like copious amounts of brake dust….
    Don’t worry 12V will be along to support you in the “ceramic pads are dumb” comments.

    Myself, I prefer equal or better performance, long life and mostly my wheels not looking like I haven’t washed them in a month, 2 days later.

    To the OP yes ceramic pads are just fine with stock rotors. Just burnish the rotors good to side in bedding the pads unless you get really good pads like EBC with a bedding compound on them. Even still it is best to scuff the rotors completely.
  • First question...why do you feel the need?

    You shouldn't be riding the brakes down hills and if you drive defensive, panic stops are rare.
  • Don't see why not. If it wasn't okay, send them back and get some regular ol' brake pads. Fancy sounding pads just cost more. Unless you're going racing hi zoot brake pads are not really necessary. Just another way to separate you from your money.

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