2011 F150 Brake Pads?

[Teamfour]

Looking to replace my brake pads. OEM have 44k miles on them but 10k of that is towing. Should I sick with the Motorcraft ones or go to Wagners or Power Stop?

[Fordlover]

Teamfour wrote:
Pads are not worn out. Due to my experience racing cars, I would rather upgrade the pads BEFORE I find out they need changing.

So, can anyone recommend a good pad (thanks APT)?

I like Hawk pads. They have a large selection for different applications, and I've used them on track days and endurance racing and been very pleased.

Don't forget to replace all the fluid in the system, you'll probably get more bang for your buck with that anyhow.

[brulaz]

Terryallan wrote:

brulaz wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

brulaz wrote:
Just had the brakes on my 2011 inspected, cleaned, lubed and the front rotors turned slightly as I was getting some throbbing when breaking long and hard down mountain grades.

The pads though were still fine at 56K miles. These brakes had been severely over-heated to where you could smell them at least once in the past.

Use the gears to prevent heating the brakes down hill. Use the lowest gear you need to hold it back

Yes, the stinky brakes occurred when I kept it in 2nd. Now I go down that mountain (in your neck of the woods, by the way) in first gear with the engine/tranny screaming at 4000-5000rpm. Don't like it, but it is an EcoBoost with not a lot engine braking.

If these pads ever wear out, maybe I'll switch to something else with more grip but less heat ... if such a thing is physically possible.

I wondered IF the little 6 cly would have much engine braking. I go up, and down those mountains all the time, and the 5.4 holds back the truck, and TT like a champ. I use very little brakes, and never get over 3500 RPM. Fortunately the steepest grades have very low speed limits.

It's all the 20 mph hair-pin turns between 35 mph stretches coming down the west side of Newfound Gap in Smoky Mtn Nat. Park. Never had a problem anywhere else there, the East side of Newfound Gap, or elsewhere.

[Terryallan]

brulaz wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

brulaz wrote:
Just had the brakes on my 2011 inspected, cleaned, lubed and the front rotors turned slightly as I was getting some throbbing when breaking long and hard down mountain grades.

The pads though were still fine at 56K miles. These brakes had been severely over-heated to where you could smell them at least once in the past.

Use the gears to prevent heating the brakes down hill. Use the lowest gear you need to hold it back

Yes, the stinky brakes occurred when I kept it in 2nd. Now I go down that mountain (in your neck of the woods, by the way) in first gear with the engine/tranny screaming at 4000-5000rpm. Don't like it, but it is an EcoBoost with not a lot engine braking.

If these pads ever wear out, maybe I'll switch to something else with more grip but less heat ... if such a thing is physically possible.

I wondered IF the little 6 cly would have much engine braking. I go up, and down those mountains all the time, and the 5.4 holds back the truck, and TT like a champ. I use very little brakes, and never get over 3500 RPM. Fortunately the steepest grades have very low speed limits.

[brulaz]

Terryallan wrote:

brulaz wrote:
Just had the brakes on my 2011 inspected, cleaned, lubed and the front rotors turned slightly as I was getting some throbbing when breaking long and hard down mountain grades.

The pads though were still fine at 56K miles. These brakes had been severely over-heated to where you could smell them at least once in the past.

Use the gears to prevent heating the brakes down hill. Use the lowest gear you need to hold it back

Yes, the stinky brakes occurred when I kept it in 2nd. Now I go down that mountain (in your neck of the woods, by the way) in first gear with the engine/tranny screaming at 4000-5000rpm. Don't like it, but it is an EcoBoost with not a lot engine braking.

If these pads ever wear out, maybe I'll switch to something else with more grip but less heat ... if such a thing is physically possible.

[cmeade]

My vote is for EBC green pads. Organic and made in England. A little dusty at first but really stop great. I had to increase voltage on trailer brakes to counter trailer pushing TV cuz they stop so much better than stock.

[time2roll]

My 2001 only got ~40,000 on a set of Ford or Motorcraft pads. 80k on rears.
On the fourth set I went to Performance Friction brand and they have lasted longer and performed better. They do need to be a bit warmed up to get full performance. If replacing today I would get EBC Yellow SUV/Truck pads. Wagners or Powerstop premium pads are probably just as good.

[ACZL]

Teamfour wrote:
Pads are not worn out. Due to my experience racing cars, I would rather upgrade the pads BEFORE I find out they need changing.

So, can anyone recommend a good pad (thanks APT)?

Check your PM

[Teamfour]

Pads are not worn out. Due to my experience racing cars, I would rather upgrade the pads BEFORE I find out they need changing.

So, can anyone recommend a good pad (thanks APT)?

[APT]

I like Wagner Thermoquiet line, ceramic for trucks and semimetallic for cars.

Every vehicle/driver is different. 44k is not unreasonable. I had a minivan that went through 2 sets of front pads/rotors and one set of rear by 45k miles.

[Terryallan]

brulaz wrote:
Just had the brakes on my 2011 inspected, cleaned, lubed and the front rotors turned slightly as I was getting some throbbing when breaking long and hard down mountain grades.

The pads though were still fine at 56K miles. These brakes had been severely over-heated to where you could smell them at least once in the past.

Use the gears to prevent heating the brakes down hill. Use the lowest gear you need to hold it back

[brulaz]

Just had the brakes on my 2011 inspected, cleaned, lubed and the front rotors turned slightly as I was getting some throbbing when breaking long and hard down mountain grades.

The pads though were still fine at 56K miles. These brakes had been severely over-heated to where you could smell them at least once in the past.

[AJBert]

One of many parts I believe in getting the best you can afford is brake pads. Don't get hung up on "brand". Do some research and find out what is best for your needs.

I also agree that 44K seems a bit low for needing to change out the pads. I only owned on vehicle that went through pads faster than that and got rid of it immediately. Today's vehicles, towing or not, should last at least 75K plus.

[rhagfo]

Terryallan wrote:
Agree with coolbreeze01. Did you check the pads, or just decide to change them? Towing shouldn't wear the pads any more than non towing, unless you ride the brakes, or don't have the brake controller set correctly.

X3

If they are worn thin at 44,000 miles you either ride the brakes or the trailer is not doing it part!

I would be looking a very good semi metallic HD pads!

[Terryallan]

Agree with coolbreeze01. Did you check the pads, or just decide to change them? Towing shouldn't wear the pads any more than non towing, unless you ride the brakes, or don't have the brake controller set correctly.