Braking may mean saving lives! Brakes come as the most important part of your car in regard to an automobile safety mechanism. The more efficient the brakes the more safely you can drive.
In short when you press the brakes the car’s kinetic energy turns into friction to slow your vehicle or to stop it. Brake pads press up against the braking disc to provide that friction in your car. So, choosing the best ceramic brake pads is fundamental in importance for the safety of your vehicle.
The weather, the roads can cause a lot of distress to the tires. So, choosing the right brake pad is crucial for your vehicle. This discourse will help you to choose the best ceramic brake suitable for your needs. It will provide a distinctive overview of the brake pads for every criterion as well as provide a buying guide & FAQ which will come in handy.
What is Ceramic Brake Pad?
Before learning about a Ceramic Brake Pad, we should first know what a brake pad is.
Brake pads are sort of discs that compose the surface where disc brake rotor meets. They are the main module that applies the main pressure to the wheel to slow the vehicle down quickly. This Module has been around for some time & plays a huge role in preventing any casualties. You may get to see one behind the wheels.
Ceramic Brake Pads are more efficient in this case. They provide quiet handling whilst causing less damage to other components. There are tons of different Ceramic Brake Pads in the market. You have to be careful in choosing the right one for your vehicle as each pad comes with its own pros & cons.
Our recommended Best Ceramic Brake Pads
As I’ve told a couple of times by now there’s a lot of variety in ceramic brake pads. You may get confused. So now let’s get to see all the products & how they will be compatible with your vehicle.
1. Bosch BC905 Quiet Cast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad
Bosch has most certainly worked a lot on this product. It is designed with the A-class materials that ensure the best performance, especially the OE (Original Equipment’s) style multi-layered shims for maximum strength. So, this product will be highly compatible with heavy vehicles.
One of the main features of the Bosch BC905 is the quietness it delivers to the consumers. It has a rubber core shim installed to it making it quite soundproof. These shims are also manufactured from advanced formulations for maximum protection & Stability. They also don’t produce much brake dust.
This 1-pound ceramic brake pad has very good durability. It comes with a protective layer & a powder-coated backplate that protects the rotors & pads from rust prolonging its life furthermore. It also comes with a hardware kit & synthetic lubricant that ensures the user’s everything they need for the pad replacement.
Drawbacks
Providing a decent performance Bosch does come with some minor setbacks. Among them, one might come across that these brake pads a bit narrow. So, you may find it difficult to adjust when you’re installing them.
Another minor issue would be that only one pad comes with a wear indicator, the others don’t. Read the FAQ if you don’t know about wear indicators.
2. ACDelco 14D785CH Advantage Ceramic Disc Brake Pad
With more than a hundred years of manufacturing experience, ACDelco has often come with its outstanding products. 14D785CH is one of its most demanding products. They are molded from a formulation of the best material that produces less dust while you enjoy a very smooth braking system.
These brake pads have a very quiet operation with producing very less dust. The simple design with shims & chamfers helps in reducing the noise & vibrations of the pads. They also cover a wide range of models for different vehicles.
It is very easy to install as it comes in your hand preinstalled. So, you will not have to sweat a lot to install them in your vehicle. The simple design & High-quality materials of the ACDelco 14D785CH makes it a very excellent product with high effectiveness on the braking system.
Drawbacks
The ACDelco did provide a very decent performance on these brake pads but it does miss out on the durability of the product. These brake pads tend to wear out fast. Though you will get a good performance, you will have to change them soon.
You may even find it hard to fit some models. Sometimes it is seen that it’s not fitting with some vehicle models fully.
3. Akebono ACT787 ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad
Akebono is one of the largest brake manufacturers in North America for its sophisticated design & advance technology. The best feature of the ACT787 brake pads may well be the longevity of the pads. These pads are very much rotor-friendly providing longer roto life.
These brake pads are produced from their unique ceramic formulation so they provide its users with much less unnecessary noise & vibrations for a smooth braking system. Especially to newbies who are new to driving. They are designed for every model uniquely so that every one of them fits perfectly with every vehicle assuring top class performance.
Being tested by Akebono for every variety of the vehicle they most certainly deliver to their performance. They are very responsive & are quick to brake in any condition you are driving. These tests ensure the users a reliable & safe driving experience.
Drawbacks
Brake Dust can be an issue for the Akebono brake pads. These pads can initially produce some amount of brake dust which can cause your wheels to get dirty. But after some time when it is well adjusted to the wheels of your vehicle, it will reduce eventually.
These brake pads do not come with any hardware kit. So, you will have a hard time installing it.
4. ACDelco 14D883CH Advantage Ceramic Rear Disc Brake Pad
ACDelco has come up with its advanced technology to develop a very smooth set of brake pads that are made from their unique formulas using lesser metal which ensures a quality braking power for the vehicle. These pads also produce less dust for this formulation.
ACDelco used its classic simple design for the basic shims & chamfers of the brake’s pads will minimize the noise of the pads. They will also reduce the vibration along with the brake’s harshness providing you with an excellent braking configuration.
The design of the ACDelco is intended to make the braking quality higher & reduce squeaky noises from the braking situation. The brake pads come with a hardware clip kit & the whole package is very easy to understand as it comes preinstalled. These pads are engineered & tested for a proper fit for your vehicle and safe driving experience.
Drawbacks
The main problem of the ACDelco is that it wears out quickly if the conditions are not suitable or rough. As a manufacturer such as ACDelco, they should work on this. Because the 14D883CH would become a very high-quality product if it works on longevity.
5. ACDelco 17D1367CH Professional Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pad
One of the most outstanding features of these brake pads is the intense braking power it has. They are manufactured with every brake pad consisting of friction material molded to the backing plate for bond integrity. These materials also provide a long-lasting body of the pad that ensures its persistence.
These brake pads have been tested to SAE J2784 which ensures good results for the pads Noise / Vibration/ harshness (VHS) & durability tests. So, the brake pads will assure you with the best driving experience as you will find major effectiveness in the braking system. So, these pads provide users with safe & reliable driving experience.
The premium shims & chamfers of this brake pad are made of quality material so it will not disappoint you in performance. The previously mentioned stamped backing plate provides a proper pad maneuver within the caliper range. The stamped backing plate will also reduce the noise & harshness of the brakes.
These brake pads also lessen the risk of corrosion of other metallic parts. You won’t have to deal with dust either. It also comes with a 24-month warranty.
Drawbacks
The ACDelco 17D1367CH comes with some minor setbacks such as the installment issue. You have to have some pre-experience if you are dealing with these pads. Without proper installation, the pads will tend to make squeaky noises.
Another little issue would be less lubricant provided. Lubricant is needed for the proper& quietness operation of the pads.
6. Bosch BC1414 QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad
Bosch has again stepped showed their class with the QuietCast Brake pads which provides a premium braking performance. Like other Bosch brake pads, the BC1414 has a rubber core multilayer shim that mainly works reducing the noise of the pads & increasing breaking strength making it quite soundproof.
Bosch uses an advanced aerospace alloy with their brake pads which are completely copper-free. The protective transfer layer that comes with the pad prolongs the pad & rotor durability. These pads also produce very less dust on the wheels.
The slots & chamfers are of the brake pads are made of quality materials. The pads are provided with a hardware kit & synthetic lubricant for better installation. All components are integrally molded for more stability & longevity. The backing plate is also powder-coated so that to prevent rust & corrosion of the metallic compounds for longer life.
Drawbacks
Though the Bosch BC1414 QuietCast is a very well-engineered product, it does have a few drawbacks such as the slight squeaking sound it gives when the vehicle is going at low speed. It is also not suitable for heavy-duty cards or brake pad for cars.
7. Wagner ThermoQuiet QC1083 Ceramic Disc Pad
The Wagner QC1083 is a very simple designed brake pad that has a very easy installation process. These pads are made of heavy-duty ceramic materials which promise you top-class performance. The durability of the pads is also praising.
It has a rubber shim that helps to reduce the noise & vibration of the pads. According to Wanger, their brake pads provide 35% less noise compared to other brake pads available in the market right now. So, you will experience a very smooth driving experience.
It is also said to have 15% more stopping power than other products around. It is also engineered in a way that it will not harm your rotors. This makes your driving experience a lot safer with this improved braking system in action. They will also produce very less brake dust which will ensure you a cleaner wheel.
Drawbacks
The wanger ThermoQuiet is a rather decent product with very few setbacks. One, in particular, might be that front pads are a little too long for some vehicle models. They are slightly too tall (long) to fit in the caliper bracket.
8. Power Stop Z26-1405 Z26 Extreme Performance Carbon-Ceramic Brake Pad
Power Stop has engineered these brake pads from a carbon-ceramic compound for a stronger braking system & swift response. The surfaces are thermal scorched for faster braking. They have also powder coated the backing plate for a longer life span of the pads & it is also corrosion resistance.
These brake pads are designed for users who drive through rough conditions. It can withstand any conditions for its consistently higher brake torque. They are well suited for vehicles with higher horsepower or bug wheel vehicles.
The stainless steel shims provide much better heat dissipation and a reduction of noise & vibration. These pads have a stable friction coefficient that can withstand up to 1,500 degrees. This extreme piece of machinery is very helpful in rough conditions. If you are a heavy vehicle user in dependable conditions then this is the perfect thing for you.
Drawbacks
There is a minor setback for this extreme brake pad. After driving for around 6000 miles or a certain period of time using these pads you may feel a slight vibration. Other then that, this is a fine product.
Buying Guide to Best Ceramic Brake Pads
Options! Features! Varieties! Jamming one’s mind with all those diversified classifications won’t lead to the best choice. Some may come cheap, others may come as heavy, some may produce noise. But the one that suits your one may have had a drawback that won’t bother you at all.
So, these key features will help choose the best ceramic pad for your vehicle for better road safety.
Suiting Your Vehicle
Brake pads that are produced from different manufacturers formulate them very uniquely. So, some brake pads may be suitable for rough conditions. Some may be for new drivers. Some may even not fit your vehicle wheels.
So, at first, you have to analyze your vehicle’s needs. Your vehicle may require a stronger brake pad, maybe a quieter brake pad will do the trick. Analyzing your car’s needs is essential before buying ceramic brake pads.
Materials & Formations
Checking the quality of the materials is one of the most important criteria before choosing a brake pad. High quality ceramic formulations ensure the vehicle’s quietness & durability of the brake pad. Otherwise, you will have to change it more often. The durability of a brake pad mostly depends on the material & construction of the pads. High-quality materials & construction will ensure a safe driving experience.
Strength & Stopping Power
The stopping power or the strength of the brake pads are important issues to think about. You can check these parameters by how smoothly the brake pads are to stop your vehicle when you brake. Or is the brake pads responsive enough to your calls? Whether it responses quickly when you suddenly hit the brakes.
Noise
This parameter is whether the pads produce any squeaking or squealing noise when you drive. When you brake there may be some squeaking noise. Good quality materials ensure you that you don’t have to face such noises or vibrations.
Thickness
The Thickness of the pads is also a thing to consider as a thin or narrow pad may wear out fast. So, a thin brake pad has a question about its durability. That is why thick brake pads are recommended.
Installation
Installing a brake pad is not professional work. You can easily do it using the instructions that come with it. But you should consider whether the brake pad comes with a hardware kit to replace it. So having the right hardware kit & instructions is important.
Ceramic Brake Pads Vs Regular Brake Pads
There are different types of brake pads in the market right now. Such as Ceramic, Metallic, Semi-Metallic, Organic, etc. You may wonder why just ceramic brake pads, why nor a metallic one or a semi-metallic one. So, let’s see the comparison between them.
- The Ceramic brake pads produce very little noise compared to other types of brake pads.
- They also produce the least amount of brake dust too, resulting in cleaner wheels.
- Ceramic ones have longer durability because of the formulation of high-quality ceramic materials is produced from. Whereas Metallic & organic have a shorter life span than that of a ceramic one.
- The Ceramic pads have a wide range of temperature stability providing consistent performance while other types don’t have this much of a wide range.
- The Ceramic brake pads are made from softer materials that don’t stick to the wheels. So, this results in less damage to other parts of the braking system.
So, in short, Ceramic Brake pads will deliver the best performance for your vehicle with a smooth braking system. But these advantages do come with a cost. Due to the high-quality materials used, Ceramic brake pads cost more than other pads.
FAQ
Q: What are wear indicators?
Ans: The brake pads have a piece of metal on them which is called wear indicators. When the materials of the pads are worn out, these indicators make contact with the disc & produce a squeaky sound. This sound is an indication for you to change the pads as they are worn out.
Q: What is brake dust?
Ans: The gray black-type dust that is often covering your wheels is known as brake dust. It is produced from iron particles which are caused due to the grinding of the cast iron brake rotor by the brake pads. It is important to choose a brake pad that produces less brake dust. As this brake dust if not cleaned will eventually eat the aluminum alloy of the wheels.
Q: Do I need a Brake Pad for my vehicle?
Ans: If you are planning a safe road experience then it is, of course, wise to install a brake pad as it will help you in certain situations. If you are driving in a busy street, accidents may occur at any moment, so an improved braking system will help you in this regard ensuring everyone’s safety including yours.
Q: Do all Ceramic Brake Pads have the same mechanism? What makes the difference?
Ans: All ceramic brake pads have more or less the same mechanism but the engineering in the materials of Shims & chamfers make the real difference. They are engineered in such fashion so that there is less vibration & noise. Even less dust for the wheels.
Q: Does it come for all the wheels?
Ans: You have to check the product description for this. Sometimes it comes in twos & sometimes it comes in fours. So, check the product description carefully before buying.
Conclusion
High-Quality pads for brakes implies to fine driving control. The most important part of buying one is knowing all the details of the brake pads as all the ones having very few distinctions between them. So, going through every detail is the tiebreaker.
Like if you are rough & heavy driver you can get Power Stop Z26-1405 Z26. But a mild driver looking for a smooth driving experience without anything to bother should have a look at the Akebono ACT787 ProACT.
But once you set your choices & priorities first you will most certainly find the best ceramic brake pad for your vehicle.
Hi, it’s Bucky Balls
CSE (Computer Science & Engineering) & MSC from Port City International University.
Working infield of WordPress, eCommerce Develop, SEO, Digital Marketing, Google AdSense an Affiliate Marketing Since 2010.
Online Certifications:
Bootstrap, JavaScript & PHP.
Google AdWords/Google Ads Display.
Google Analytics.
SEO.
Digital Sales.