Ceramic or metallic?

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bruce s

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I recently moved to Colorado Springs with my 08 Yukon SLT and I'm going to need brakes soon. What does everyone prefer/best to use in hilly/mountainous regions? Looking to do rotors and pads on the front and rear and possibly new shocks and struts.
 

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Wes
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premium ceramic are considered better than semi-metallic, the only thing better than ceramic is carbon fiber but carbon fiber makes a LOT of brake dust
 

Tonyrodz

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premium ceramic are considered better than semi-metallic, the only thing better than ceramic is carbon fiber but carbon fiber makes a LOT of brake dust
Are ceramic pads more rough on rotors then semi metallics? That's what a parts guy told me yrs ago.
 

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Wes
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Are ceramic pads more rough on rotors then semi metallics? That's what a parts guy told me yrs ago.
I would imagine so given it's a harder material, but I have never gone thru any rotors in less than 2yrs so I wouldn't say the wear is excessive even if it is more, there is a noticeable difference in stopping power and they last longer, makes less dust, quieter.
 

BG1988

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Are ceramic pads more rough on rotors then semi metallics? That's what a parts guy told me yrs ago.
my old impala had ceramics

pretty nice as they BITE hard I could stop so fast even the ABS could not keep up with it..

it did not wear out the rotors the 50,000 miles i had it in


very little wear and tear but they were properly installed.
 

petethepug

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Ceramic, copper free pads with zinc coated drilled / slotted rotors that are countersunk from Rock Auto. They’re amazingly inexpensive.

Next to no dust, quiet, no fade or undesirable braking characteristics. The rotors run cooler, dissipate water and dust internally and externally so there’s no brake material build up (warping), hot or cold spots. Lastly, zinc don’t rust and stay looking good for years.

I’ll be ready to slap a new set of Bosch ceramic pads on in about 18 mo. It’s unreal how this combo lasts, performs and withstands the daily grind in our hilly beach city. This combo consistently pulls our 6.2 AWD Denali XL down, completely unnoticed, as good brakes should.


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bfourman

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Brakemotive w/ceramic pads. Search eBay, excellent pricing and fast shipping.
 

swathdiver

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I recently moved to Colorado Springs with my 08 Yukon SLT and I'm going to need brakes soon. What does everyone prefer/best to use in hilly/mountainous regions? Looking to do rotors and pads on the front and rear and possibly new shocks and struts.

Yes, ceramic pads are harder on rotors but we replace them anyway so the point is moot. I recently did my brakes and put OE pads back on with OE everything else. Truck stopped fine even while towing 5,000 pound trailer with no brakes but I was not in hill country. Whatever you pick, get those new drag reduction clips, they do a better job of keeping the pads off the rotors, my mileage has crept up and my coasting ability has nearly doubled and I only put them on the front.

18K1025SS
18K1027SS

Check here to make sure they are for yours too:
https://parts-catalog.acdelco.com/catalog/catalog_search.php
 

petethepug

Michael
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Negative, countersunk drilling and slots don’t do that. The decrease in surface area does dissipate the heat and moisture better. When the stopping energy is converted to friction, it’s path to follow for equalization is far shorter.

The opportunity for pad material and gas off is wicked away so quickly it doesn’t have a chance to bake on or in old skool terms, warp.


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