Semi metallic brake pad recommendations

duckman631 · Jul 2, 2024

I went with Wagner oex ceramic front and rear. Were not properly bedded and they got glazed over. Went back to shop, they pulled and scuffed them up and reinstalled. Was good for a short time then seem to have gotten glazed over again. I’m over trying ceramic and want to go with semi metallic. Besides oem, what semi metallic pads are people using that are good and also produce low dust. I went on rock auto and see options for heavy duty (truck tow haul) and also premium. Not sure which “level” to go with and under those are several brand options. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Bigskyroadglide · Jul 2, 2024

Powerstop Z36. Work great but you mush follow the instructions for bedding......

These are not semi metallic, I believe they are a proprietary Carbon-Fiber Ceramic

crash68 · Jul 2, 2024

duckman631 said:
I went with Wagner oex ceramic front and rear. Were not properly bedded and they got glazed over. Went back to shop, they pulled and scuffed them up and reinstalled. Was good for a short time then seem to have gotten glazed over again.

It's not that the brake were improperly bedded in. The glazing over is caused by not enough brake pressure applied over longer periods of time. Also known as "riding the brakes" but if called that people cop an attitude and will respond they don't.
The biggest factor in brakes wearing isn't how hard or soft you brake but the amount of time they're in contact with the rotor

duckman631 · Jul 2, 2024

crash68 said:
It's not that the brake were improperly bedded in. The glazing over is caused by not enough brake pressure applied over longer periods of time. Also known as "riding the brakes" but if called that people cop an attitude and will respond they don't.
The biggest factor in brakes wearing isn't how hard or soft you brake but the amount of time they're in contact with the rotor

Thanks for the lesson. One thing is for sure, I do not ever ride my brakes and probably wait longer than most to apply my brakes when coming to a slowdown/stop as I let the truck slow on its own a bit first. Secondly, I am asking for recommendations on semi metallic pad choice.

duckman631 · Jul 2, 2024

Bigskyroadglide said:
Powerstop Z36. Work great but you mush follow the instructions for bedding......

These are not semi metallic, I believe they are a proprietary Carbon-Fiber Ceramic

I’m asking for recommendations for semi metallic

rzr6-4 · Jul 2, 2024

crash68 said:
but if called that people cop an attitude and will respond they don't.

duckman631 said:
I do not ever ride my brakes

LOL.

Crash is right though. Glazing is caused by light, long breaking.

Anyway, from the Wagner OEx website "these pads are engineered to deliver up to two times longer pad life*, less dust, and reduced rotor wear." I wonder if these specific pads that are meant to last a long time, do so because they get hard and have meh friction properties. The "glassing" you felt may have just been a poor pad design.

I don't have any recommendations on new brakes, just trying to hypothesize what your issue may have been with your old ones.

Treburkulosis · Jul 2, 2024

Another vote for power stop

duckman631 · Jul 2, 2024

rzr6-4 said:
LOL.

Crash is right though. Glazing is caused by light, long breaking.

Anyway, from the Wagner OEx website "these pads are engineered to deliver up to two times longer pad life*, less dust, and reduced rotor wear." I wonder if these specific pads that are meant to last a long time, do so because they get hard and have meh friction properties. The "glassing" you felt may have just been a poor pad design.

I don't have any recommendations on new brakes, just trying to hypothesize what your issue may have been with your old ones.

When coming to a stop, you can hear it slipping the grip.

aszumilo · Jul 2, 2024

I've had good luck with Brake Best pads from O'Reillys. Probably not the best pads out there, but, they've done well for me.

Dodge 1500 4X4 · Jul 2, 2024

duckman631 said:
When coming to a stop, you can hear it slipping the grip.

I assume you replaced rotors at the same, what you describe maybe your rotors are warped, if you want semi metallic, I would go with OEM but know this you will be getting allot of dusting on your wheels W semi metallic pads, ceramics by power stop are the preferred choice

duckman631 · Jul 2, 2024

Dodge 1500 4X4 said:
I assume you replaced rotors at the same, what you describe maybe your rotors are warped, if you want semi metallic, I would go with OEM but know this you will be getting allot of dusting on your wheels W semi metallic pads, ceramics by power stop are the preferred choice

Low miles so far on rotors and pads. No pulsing and when they were taken off and confirmed glazed the first time before they scuffed them up, rotors were fine

mdc1990zr1 · Jul 8, 2024

duckman631 said:
I’m asking for recommendations for semi metallic

I only use the Wagner SX series on my trucks…a small fleet of 1500, 2500 and a 3500 trucks. Ceramic pads seemed to hold the heat and “stick”. After much wasted time, money and replacing perfectly good parts…it came down to the ceramic pads. Never a problem since changing to the Wagner semi-Mets.

dodgepdw · Jul 8, 2024

duckman631 said:
I went with Wagner oex ceramic front and rear. Were not properly bedded and they got glazed over. Went back to shop, they pulled and scuffed them up and reinstalled. Was good for a short time then seem to have gotten glazed over again. I’m over trying ceramic and want to go with semi metallic. Besides oem, what semi metallic pads are people using that are good and also produce low dust. I went on rock auto and see options for heavy duty (truck tow haul) and also premium. Not sure which “level” to go with and under those are several brand options. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Green stuff by ebc lookup green stuff brake pads I got 4yrs out of them when I wouldn't even get a year out of anything else and the bite quick I feel I can stop on a dime. They are a little $ but I don't care the are awesome.

EdGs · Jul 8, 2024

duckman631 said:
I’m asking for recommendations for semi metallic

Wagner Thermoquiet

duckman631 · Jul 8, 2024

EdGs said:
Wagner Thermoquiet

And again another recommendation for ceramic when I was asking for semi metallic. Unreal.

Janelle · Jul 8, 2024

duckman631 said:
I went with Wagner oex ceramic front and rear. Were not properly bedded and they got glazed over. Went back to shop, they pulled and scuffed them up and reinstalled. Was good for a short time then seem to have gotten glazed over again. I’m over trying ceramic and want to go with semi metallic. Besides oem, what semi metallic pads are people using that are good and also produce low dust. I went on rock auto and see options for heavy duty (truck tow haul) and also premium. Not sure which “level” to go with and under those are several brand options. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Don't hate!! I use Autozone Duralast Elite Ceramic pads, I have use these pads on several Ram trucks and other autos. My current truck is a 2014 1500 sport 4x4 with black wheels. the stock pads worked fine however the wheels needed to be cleaned constantly, the Duralast are almost dustless and stop better than any pads I have ever used. I did replace the front rotors as well and broke them in per instructions. Plus Duralast have a lifetime warranty.

EdGs · Jul 8, 2024

duckman631 said:
And again another recommendation for ceramic when I was asking for semi metallic. Unreal.

Wagner Thermoquiet MX are semi-metallic, afaik. I should have listed the series.

duckman631 · Jul 8, 2024

EdGs said:
Wagner Thermoquiet MX are semi-metallic, afaik. I should have listed the series.

Ok thanks! When I researched they were coming up ceramic. Seems like it’s the big push nowadays.

EdGs · Jul 8, 2024

duckman631 said:
Ok thanks! When I researched they were coming up ceramic. Seems like it’s the big push nowadays.

I've used the MX series on several different vehicles, and gotten good life with them. They do leave dust, though.

Got mine through RockAuto.

MX1084 and MX367A are the ones for my '15 SLT, not sure if the same for your Ram.

SX series are severe duty semi-metallic. Never tried them, but the price is not much different.

wrench78 · Jul 8, 2024

I have been a Powerstop fan for many years. Don't ever plan on leaving.

A note about the glazing issue. Maybe check your calipers. Maybe they are not opening fully when you let off the brakes.

Semi metallic brake pad recommendations

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