2003 Pathfinder brake pads - I don't like ceramic

[Micallen]

Has anyone used these from Advance?
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/bos ... 7CL3*15694

[Micallen]

Or these ceramic/carbon fiber infused ones?

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00O6PW472/ ... _lig_dp_it

[yeldogt]

I always use the OE pads (not the value line) think they are around $70 bucks online. Long trouble free life. The Zimmerman rotors are fine as replacement when that's needed.

Have had three LE pathfinders and never have any issue with the front brakes .. unlike most. The front rotors are expensive and a pain to replace ... the rotors last through two sets of OE pads.

[Micallen]

I always use the OE pads (not the value line) think they are around $70 bucks online. Long trouble free life. The Zimmerman rotors are fine as replacement when that's needed.

Have had three LE pathfinders and never have any issue with the front brakes .. unlike most. The front rotors are expensive and a pain to replace ... the rotors last through two sets of OE pads.

I need to have them turned at minimum. They are out of round.

[yeldogt]

Good luck ... I don't know of any rotors that are designed to be cut anymore. Even when it was popular w/ solid rotors (25 years ago) we stopped doing it. They just don't last and you are back to square one. Bought my first 02 LE new -- the latter two were preowned and even the one with 64k on it had messed up rotors. The aftermarket pads cut into the rotors ... that one now has about 44k on the OE pads and Zimmerman rotors .. maybe down about 1/2.

My memory was the OE rotors were expensive ... and with the Zimmermann available it was a no brainer. Switching out the front rotors is more time consuming on the Path vs most cars.

Looks like advanced sells the Zimmerman for $50 .. I have a 20% off code EM20E8

[nickelghandi]

I have used the PowerStop Evolution ones with good success. They stop well, are quiet, and make very little dust. I use them with PowerStop rotors though, not OEM rotors.

I have also used the quiet cast ones on another vehicle. They still stop well and are very quiet, but they make a lot of dust.

Might as well replace bearings or re-grease and consider replacing hubs as well if it hasn't been done. All has to come off to do the rotor.

[Mike W.]

Good luck ... I don't know of any rotors that are designed to be cut anymore. Even when it was popular w/ solid rotors (25 years ago) we stopped doing it. They just don't last and you are back to square one. ...

Agreed on not turning rotors anymore. But I think it's the change in pad formulation more than anything. Back in the good/bad old days of Asbestos pads, they were much more forgiving in a lot of ways. Lungs of course not being among them, but they weren't bad for stopping and noise, nor hard on rotors. But todays pads are not rotor friendly. With the possible exception of ceramics but they don't seem ideal for a truck type of vehicle. I too am in the market for a good, not too expensive fade resistant pad.

[yeldogt]

Mike W -- I own a company with a fleet of cars. Have for almost 30 years -- so I have experience with some brands ... and I read the fleet magazines. Brakes are always a discussion with motor heads (as is oil). A given company may have design issues that causes a particular model to act up ... but in general companies don't just order any old pad and rotor combination. It's sort of a general rule if you want problem free -- stick with the OE pads and replace the hardware. Rotors are a question of quality and cost ... Zimmerman makes great rotors ... if they are available and the OE are overly expensive ... We get the Zimmerman. Will also use Brembo/ Akebono as an end of service brand ... I will often replace all rotors/pads/tires on a car I'm going to keep another year and 25k.

Ford at one time had rotor issues on some FWD cars -- if you did not get the updated OE and set the wheel bolts correctly -- you had major warping issues. Nothing else worked .. so only OE. With the Pathfinders -- the Zimmerman/OE pads perform very well. With teh extra cost of switching out the front rotors ..getting the best service life is what I'm after. The OE pads are not expensive .....if you get the OE and set them next to Akebono aftermarket -- you can see they are not the same. And by all account Akebono makes the pads. Using online dealers -- I find I can get good prices. The rear brakes are a pain -- I'm not a fan of drum .. and I really use the OE back there.

[Micallen]

Mike W -- I own a company with a fleet of cars. Have for almost 30 years -- so I have experience with some brands ... and I read the fleet magazines. Brakes are always a discussion with motor heads (as is oil). A given company may have design issues that causes a particular model to act up ... but in general companies don't just order any old pad and rotor combination. It's sort of a general rule if you want problem free -- stick with the OE pads and replace the hardware. Rotors are a question of quality and cost ... Zimmerman makes great rotors ... if they are available and the OE are overly expensive ... We get the Zimmerman. Will also use Brembo/ Akebono as an end of service brand ... I will often replace all rotors/pads/tires on a car I'm going to keep another year and 25k.

Ford at one time had rotor issues on some FWD cars -- if you did not get the updated OE and set the wheel bolts correctly -- you had major warping issues. Nothing else worked .. so only OE. With the Pathfinders -- the Zimmerman/OE pads perform very well. With teh extra cost of switching out the front rotors ..getting the best service life is what I'm after. The OE pads are not expensive .....if you get the OE and set them next to Akebono aftermarket -- you can see they are not the same. And by all account Akebono makes the pads. Using online dealers -- I find I can get good prices. The rear brakes are a pain -- I'm not a fan of drum .. and I really use the OE back there.

Talking about these, correct?

https://partsouq.com/es/search/all?q=410605W585

[yeldogt]

My records don't show the pad number -- they were OE pads from an online dealer .. couple years ago $61.33. The zimmermann are W0133-1613530 -- the set was $109.66 .. but Autohause does not show them?