Re: [Amc-list] Brake shoe material

[Wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Frank,
   Check that J's front brake calipers, slides etc.
The braking you describe is exactly how my 70's Chevy 1/2 ton 4X4 [same front brake] stopped with cheap pads.
     Just because he had the pads replaced with "good" pads doesn't mean they actually made it on the truck, Doesn't mean they really are good pads, doesn't mean they cleaned slides/pins etc.
     I had three of those chevy trucks in a few years. They all stopped like crap as the POs had installed cheap pads and not cleaned the pins and slides well. After replacing the pads with good semi/metallic pads and cleaning things up all three trucks would stop on a dime, with no brake fade compared to non stopping, brake fading nightmares, before.
    I did a few J series trucks for guys that towed and they were equally happy.

I know I'm very pleased with the ceramics I put on the XJ, no noise, no dust, no fade.
I did put them on with new rotors. I'm not concerned with rotor wear on the XJ. An older vehicle with expensive hard to find rotors may be a different story. 
   I'm a skeptic as far as rotor wear concerns go. If the pads are too soft they allow rust and crap to build on the rotor. I prefer harder pads to keep some rotor wear in the equation. Around these parts rotor rust is a concern I've seen it time and time again. Especially on low use vehicles.

--
Mark Price
Morgantown, WV
1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Swygert, Francis G MSgt 436 CES/CECM" <Francis.Swygert3@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> I believe ceramics is what's on my J-10. The PO stated he put "top of
> the line" pads on, and that the truck doesn't stop as good. He
> specifically mentioned that with cheaper pads it stopped much better. I
> don't think the rotors were turned when the pads were changed, but they
> don't look bad. A softer pad would "wear in" -- the ceramics definitely
> need a smooth surface to start with.  
> 
> He should have tried it with a load!! I had 800 pounds in the truck and
> pulled a 1500 pound trailer from DE to SC -- 12 hour drive. By the time
> I got to SC I had already decided that if I rear ended someone I was
> going to threaten them with my jack handle -- they can leave or take a
> beating!! Idiots would pass my loaded truck then pull in front of me
> with 2' between our bumpers -- in town, interstate, didn't matter! I was
> driving very conservatively (because the brakes didn't seem to be all
> that great -- reliable, but definitely needed more stopping power!) and
> trying to leave a couple car lengths between myself and the next
> vehicle. Had to close in just to keep about one car length! Could follow
> diesel rigs like that -- they needed as much room to stop as I did, but
> going through towns I had people plain cut me off. If a light had been
> red or one guy in particular couldn't have made his right turn (pass me,
> then slam on brakes and make a turn!!) I'd definitely have hit them.
> That idiot who made the turn -- wouldn't have mattered if I had a load
> or not!!
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