Rotors

[mrblaine]

I never did jump on the Ceramic pad bandwagon, so other than the claim they don't dust out as bad as other compounds, what other advantage do they offer? A harder compound pad would just wear out your rotors quicker IMO. I've read that some pad manufacturers just put a ceramic coating on the pad that quickly wears off after bed in, then basically all you have is a semi metallic pad with some copper shavings thrown in for good measure.

In order for a pad to have some inherent characteristic defined by it's content of ceramic fiber, first we must define how much ceramic fiber is in the pad. Until that happens, there is no inherent characteristic that be attributed to a pad based on it compound contents.

Low or no dust are just marketing BS. There is no physical way to hold a wearable compound against a high force spinning iron disc and not produce dust from both the rotor and the pad. It just isn't possible. The only difference for the most part is the color of the dust being product.
Light color dust = low dust compounds, darker color dust = high dust compounds.

 

[Jorge Bolivar]

What level or percentage of ceramic fiber has to be in a brake pad compound before the company can advertise it as ceramic?

I does not know what percent of ceramic is required to a company can advertise a ceramic pad. My take is that may not be much, Ceramic pads are made with other compounds that reduce the need of ceramic and assist with the heat transfer.

 

[Jorge Bolivar]

I never did jump on the Ceramic pad bandwagon, so other than the claim they don't dust out as bad as other compounds, what other advantage do they offer? A harder compound pad would just wear out your rotors quicker IMO. I've read that some pad manufacturers just put a ceramic coating on the pad that quickly wears off after bed in, then basically all you have is a semi metallic pad with some copper shavings thrown in for good measure.

I will said that they dust almost the same, just lighter color dust.

 

[bobthetj03]

In order for a pad to have some inherent characteristic defined by it's content of ceramic fiber, first we must define how much ceramic fiber is in the pad. Until that happens, there is no inherent characteristic that be attributed to a pad based on it compound contents.

Low or no dust are just marketing BS. There is no physical way to hold a wearable compound against a high force spinning iron disc and not produce dust from both the rotor and the pad. It just isn't possible. The only difference for the most part is the color of the dust being product.
Light color dust = low dust compounds, darker color dust = high dust compounds.

So, why would a pad maker want to use a dark color dust compound when that particular dust is not favorable? Unless, the darker color dust compounds provide better braking performance?

 

[mrblaine]

So, why would a pad maker want to use a dark color dust compound when that particular dust is not favorable? Unless, the darker color dust compounds provide better braking performance?

Some folks want no dust, some want performance. Dust color is a by product of the components in the compound and there is little you can do to change it if you want performance.

 

[JMT]

So, all I need to upgrade my front brakes (Dana 30) is the BMB rotors, calipers and pads at about $355? I'll be wanting to do this upgrade when my present pads are done...

 

[mrblaine]

So, all I need to upgrade my front brakes (Dana 30) is the BMB rotors, calipers and pads at about $355? I'll be wanting to do this upgrade when my present pads are done...

All you really need provided the other components are in working condition is the pads. If your rotors need turning and are of a good quality, have them turned. Calipers should be replaced only if they are deficient. The ones we have are just stock replacements of a very good quality but they are not an upgrade over stock.