Brake pad choice

I need to change my brake pads and don't particularly like the factory pads. What are some better choices? 2016 ram 1500

Thanks
JD

Lots of folks use power stop. I use Wagner.

Any of the top brands should work fine. Esp for you because you don't have to worry about rusty pads de-laminating like us snow/salt belt guys do. In tests, they (most aftermarket brands) performed very well.

But if we are to believe a certain youtube braking test/s performed on a certified industry brake testing machine (using industry testing practices), and graphing the exact braking results repeatedly (many cycles of many brake pads), OEM pads always outperformed aftermarket pads (by a little). But good aftermarket pads were close. I guess if a guy goes by *actual* test results ...OEM's would be the way to go if you wanted 'the best'. I've used most brands out there over the years on various vehicles and the 'good' quality brands have always worked fine for me. I have had OReilly pads rust up and delaminate the friction material (several sets).

I recently ordered/received Mopar pads for my Ram (rears). Do that later this week. Rockauto had a slight deal on them so they weren't much more than others. I don't remember what I put on the front. Raybestos Premiums ...I think. And they're doing great. Bosch/Wagners, etc, semi-metallics ..they'll work good for you!

Bests of luck whatever you choose!

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Ok, I just opened the box. I THOUGHT I was ordering Mopar brake pads, per the RockAuto listing. Looks like the box is Magneti Marelli "My Mopar" Made in Mexico. A search shows MM was formerly owned by FCA till 2019, and still a supplier. They have the original Mopar part number on the box and the pad itself has Mopar and part numbers printed on them. Mopar # 2AMV 2563 AB 001, $59. It appears (on second look) like they are the Mopar V-line (Value line). Didn't know that when ordering. Soooo, IDK. [EDIT: A Google search shows a number of owners reported squealing & dust...]

Not promoting these but they're a full-contact pad. Rare these days. And no center cut (maybe why they cause noise??). Quite a bit more friction surface area. Advertisements for MM say: "Exclusive friction formula to prevent noise or black dust" ..but they all claim that ...even pads which MAKE a lot of dust ! Workmanship looks good. I haven't tried them yet. I *may* send back and get genuine OEM pads (which I thought I was ordering).

Here is the actual pad I took a picture of:


Pads with tapered ends...


PowerStop, Hawk and other top brands have always worked fine for me. Haven't tried MM's before (??). Not promoting any certain brands. Cheers!

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Anyone try the Mopar V-line pads??

wagner oex, no dusting great grabbing best heat dissipation.

Whatever I use it’s going to be ceramic!

I recently did the PowerStop Z36 package and then did the bedding in process they indicate to do on their website. Albeit it was pads and rotors all around, but the pads are exceptional, and a first time use for me with this product. The recommendations of the brain-trust in this forum were right on par!

No noise whatsoever in any road conditions (cold, very cold, wet, torrential downpour, etc.), and strong, consistent grab in these environments, too.

I will say this about these pads; much less dusting, and after they were properly bedded in and then cooled, the next day the stopping was significantly more on point than the original OEM pads I had.

I have used in past vehicles: Brembo, StopTech, EBC, and DBA, pads and/or rotors combo's. This PowerStop Z36 package is equal in performance to the DBA rotors and StopTech pads I used on my 06' 300SRT8 back in the day.

CanuckRam1313 said:

I recently did the PowerStop Z36 package and then did the bedding in process they indicate to do on their website. Albeit it was pads and rotors all around, but the pads are exceptional, and a first time use for me with this product. The recommendations of the brain-trust in this forum were right on par!

No noise whatsoever in any road conditions (cold, very cold, wet, torrential downpour, etc.), and strong, consistent grab in these environments, too.

I will say this about these pads; much less dusting, and after they were properly bedded in and then cooled, the next day the stopping was significantly more on point than the original OEM pads I had.

I have used in past vehicles: Brembo, StopTech, EBC, and DBA, pads and/or rotors combo's. This PowerStop Z36 package is equal in performance to the DBA rotors and StopTech pads I used on my 06' 300SRT8 back in the day.

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I had a very similar experience as CanuckRam1313. I've used most of those on his list as well on previous vehicles. I've always had good performing brakes on all of my cars. The PowerStop Z36 is a great setup for our Rams. I've towed with these brakes fairly often and I've never felt any fade from them.

I have Powerstop on all 4 of our vehicles. No dust no fade no regrets simply amazing brakes. Highly recommend.

I'm about to do brakes on my '17 and will be going with Napa's Adaptive One rotors and Wagner OEX pads. I've run those on several trucks now (with either Wagner or Adaptive One pads) and they've performed very well. Reasonably low dusting, great performance and long life/no warpage. The Wagner pads will have to be bought elsewhere online, Napa doesn't sell those. The Adaptive One pads can be bought through them, but I wanted to try the Wagners this time around.

I've tried PowerStop on a couple previous trucks and warped them almost immediately. A buddy of mine also had the same experience, so I will not run those on a truck again. I have had good experiences with them on cars but the rotors are not heavy duty enough for a heavy truck.

HWhen I had money to burn it was stop tech slotted and EBC green stuff now I’m cheaping out the ram is up soon but this is the last me and my buddy did at his vette shop.

I have used Power Stop pads before, i only bought them because the Police, Fire, & County vehicles all use them.

They Stop quickly but wore out quickly & they were very dirty

Mostly use Wagner Top Tier, nowadays.
Tried many others and most of them have been fine.
Just really happy with longevity and durability of Wagners.
Not to mention, less dust and zero noise.

Toyed with EBC & Power Stop but read too many negatives, to justify the expense.
Firm Believer in getting the best Calipers, possible.

I put R1 Concepts Geomet rotors and ceramic pads on my truck. They look good and stop really well. With the Geomet coating they do not show rust when sitting like other rotors. I was surprised at how well they work to be honest. Never had their rotors before but I would buy them again.

GTyankee said:

I have used Power Stop pads before, i only bought them because the Police, Fire, & County vehicles all use them.

They Stop quickly but wore out quickly & they were very dirty

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The only time I’ve been able to get brake fade was at the Joliet autobahn,autocross event with my Audi,and that was when two sessions in a row were run.So for police definitely.

I've always used Duralast from AutoZone on all my vehicles. Buy one set and the rest are free as long as you own the car. Seem to stop just fine. When I bought my 2015 (used), Dealer put new pads and rotors on all 4 as part of the negotiation. Which brings up a question. How long can I expect them to last? It's driver dependant of course, but generally speaking what can I expect? I usually get 40k give or take on prior vehicles.

How long can I expect them to last? It's driver dependant of course, but generally speaking what can I expect? I usually get 40k give or take on prior vehicles.

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Depends what the dealer put on for pads. But if they were something good, the fronts should go your 40k plus or minus 10k. The rears...they can last for many years. Hard to speculate. At least in your area you shouldn't have to worry about a winter full of road salt rust issues.

Warm tip: When you rotate your rear tires (fronts too btw), I would push the caliper pistons 'in' with a c-clamp, then, push/pull the caliper assembly in/out on their sliding pins with your hands ..work them back/fourth using some force, on their sliding pins to work the grease around. If they don't slide freely, address the issue. Simple way to help keep your brakes from hanging up. Because on an older truck that's an issue which could wear down your pads quick. And exchange the brake fluid if you haven't. It's time ....on a 2015.

Good luck!!

TotallyHucked said:

I've tried PowerStop on a couple previous trucks and warped them almost immediately. A buddy of mine also had the same experience, so I will not run those on a truck again. I have had good experiences with them on cars but the rotors are not heavy duty enough for a heavy truck.

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I'm calling BS! I've got Power Stops on my 3500 and they are fantastic. The 3500 is always towing something and as many of us know, when speeds fall below 25 MPG, the brake controller reduces trailer braking putting more braking effort on the tow vehicle.

With my 2009 Ram, i needed shocks at 100,000 miles, so i had the alignment shop look at the brakes, they were not down to absolutely needing replacing, but the fronts were close enough for me to say replace them.

My 2016 Ram shocks are already bad and i am only at just over 60,000 miles.
I have not looked at my brakes yet, but in the last 4 or 5 years, i have had to quickly use my brakes, almost in Panic, way to many times.
It is because all of the Middle Eastern teenagers are getting their licenses, they mostly do rolling Stops at signs, if they bother to Stop at all, their car window glass is tinted very dark.
I don't know what special rules they go by, but they cause others to use unexpected maneuvers