Brake Pad Recommendation

BrianBlair · 12-29-2017, 10:05 AM

My 1993 E250 is in need of new brake pads. We spend a fair amount of time on windy mountain roads/loooong down hills. Often we're loaded for bear with bikes/water/etc. We never tow.

Any recommendations for a pad that will deliver relatively long life and good braking performance?

Thanks,

BB

JoeH · 12-29-2017, 01:29 PM

If it were me I'd go Hawk LTS or Motorcraft "Superduty" pads. NAPA premium generaly gets good marks as well. Go metallic or semi-metallic and avoid ceramic pads or you'll chew up your rotors pronto.

JWA · 12-30-2017, 05:46 AM

I've been using the NAPA Ultra-Premium pads on both my E250's 2WD mostly stock configuration. In fact when I did the '08 brake upgrade to my 2003 E250 EB those were my only consideration. As my daily driver/work van its loaded to 7,800#

That mod was just about 4 years ago, 73,476 miles and there's barely any wear on the rotors at all. I'm not short on braking power either.

HTH

scatter · 05-30-2018, 12:36 PM

Hey, another brake pad question guys. Seems like a lot of you are using, and SMB recommends, Hawk LTS pads. When I called Hawk, they said to use the Super Duty pad for a heavy rig like ours. They said the LTS is designed for SUVs, Jeeps, etc.
So, anyone used the Super Duty version or have reason why I should go with the LTS??

JoeH · 05-30-2018, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scatter

Hey, another brake pad question guys. Seems like a lot of you are using, and SMB recommends, Hawk LTS pads. When I called Hawk, they said to use the Super Duty pad for a heavy rig like ours. They said the LTS is designed for SUVs, Jeeps, etc.
So, anyone used the Super Duty version or have reason why I should go with the LTS??

I too had conflicting information when I was researching Hawk pads.
Hawk Performance is owned by Carlisle Brake and Friction. I queried them with regard to my application and van weight and got this response. “SuperDuty would be the best option for weight of vehicle.” That wasn’t too informative and I was worried the SD would be too aggressive for the van and stock Ford calipers and rotors. So, I checked with technical support at the online dealer-Tire Rack. They said that the Superduty is a really hard compound and would eat the rotors fast. They're really meant for rigs pulling trailers all the time. In other words not a great pad for a daily driver and also reportedly very dusty and noisy.

I've been running LTS since then (~2012) and they stop great. They do need to warm up a bit when cold.

86Scotty · 05-30-2018, 07:21 PM

I put the Super Duty Fleet Motorcraft ones on my SMB a year or so before I sold it and they were a vast improvement.

Transits have cheap OEM pads and I replaced with Wagner's version of HD/SD Fleet pads. Big improvement just like the Motorcraft ones were. These were much cheaper on Rock Auto.

REF · 05-30-2018, 07:49 PM

Hawk LTS, pretty sure that’s what I have now and that’s what was recommended by frozen rotors, they work great. I learned the same thing with the SD’s being more for heavy or tow rigs, even though you’d think we’d meet the weight criteria.

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JoeH · 05-30-2018, 08:50 PM

Just to clear up any confusion but my understanding is the Hawk Superduty pads have a much harder pad composition than Motorcraft Superduty pads.

scatter · 06-03-2018, 10:48 AM

Well, thanks for all the info guys. When I called Hawk I mentioned that I was concerned about getting a pad that was too hard on the rotors. The guy I talked to really sidestepped that and just said that for my weight of a rig I should go with the superduty.
I agree with you JoeH and am going to get the LTS when I do my brakes in a couple of months.
Thanks again.

Stu · 07-16-2018, 12:38 AM

I put Hawk LTS on my '14 E250 in March and they're so much better than OEM. Probably worth noting my van usually hauls around a lot of tools and equipment too, and the weight hasn't affected them thus far. I had a front wheel off a few weeks back and they look like they're doing fine.