Are you wondering what the best brakes are for Duramax?
You're in the right place!
In this PopularMechanic.com guide, you will learn the following:
- What do Brakes Consist Of?
- How Do Brakes Work?
- What are the Different Types of Brakes?
And More!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose the best brakes for Duramax.
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Our Top Pick
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Our Top Pick
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Power Stop Z36-785, Z36 Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Front Brake Pads
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View on Amazon |
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Best Budget
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Best Budget
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Wagner ThermoQuiet QC785 Ceramic Disc Pad Set
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View on Amazon |
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Best High End
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Best High End
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Akebono ACT785 Proact Ultra-Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad kit
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View on Amazon |
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Bosch BC785 QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad
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View on Amazon | |
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ACDelco 17D785CH Professional Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set
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View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
(updated 6/30/2020)
Our #1 pick for the best brakes for Duramax equipped trucks is the Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads.
The Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber brake pads utilize a carbon-fiber-reinforced, ceramic lining to provide superior braking performance even when demands placed upon them are substantial.
They also offer virtually noise-free operation, made possible by the pads’ thermal scorched surface and chamfered slot design.
If you are in the market for new heavy-duty brake pads, make sure you check out the Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber brake pads.
Have you recently noticed that your Duramax diesel-powered Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra truck doesn’t quite exhibit the same stopping power as it used to? If so, you are likely on the hunt for the best brakes for Duramax equipped pickups.
If this describes your current situation perfectly, then you are in the right place, as we have compiled all of the necessary information to assist you in finding the right brakes for the job.
Read on to gain a new level of insight into how your brakes operate, as well as what you need to know when purchasing the best possible brakes for your truck.
Top 5 Best Brakes For Duramax
What Do Brakes Consist Of?
Everyone is probably pretty familiar with what brakes do. We all know that brakes bring your vehicle to a stop on command. But do you know what components make up your truck’s braking system?
If not, you are far from alone, as many vehicle owners are not aware of the specifics regarding brake system operation.
That is what we are here for, as the following will serve as an expedite brakes 101 course.
Your braking system consists of several main components. These include components within the fluid delivery side of the equation, such as the master cylinder, brake lines, and brake hoses.
Also included in the braking system are foundation components such as calipers, brake rotors, and brake pads in disc brake layouts. In drum brake systems, these components include wheel cylinders, drums, and brake shoes.
These components work together to deliver the needed force to bring your vehicle to a halt, even under demanding circumstances.
How Do Brakes Work?
Okay, so now that we have hashed out the components that you can expect to find in your vehicle's braking system, how does the system work?
While the overall process can seem quite complicated, the concept behind a brake system’s operation is not overly difficult to grasp.
When you press on your vehicle’s brake pedal, a push rod extends and depresses a plunger within your vehicle’s master cylinder.
When this occurs, brake fluid is forced out of the master cylinder’s ports and through the attached brake lines.
This fluid travels through each individual brake line, creating hydraulic force which acts upon the brake caliper or wheel cylinder located at each wheel location.
As this fluid pressure acts upon these components, the pistons within push outward on their corresponding brake shoes or brake pads.
This outward motion of the brake pads or brake shoes causes them to come into contact with the brake drum or disc which they are positioned against.
Depending upon the type of brake system that your vehicle is fitted with, either the included drums or rotors are slowed due to the friction created by this braking application.
As such, these drums or discs, which are attached via studs to each individual wheel, cause a vehicle to slow.
For a more detailed description on how brakes work, check out this article.
Read More >> What Are The Top Engine Oils For Winter Time?
What Are The Different Types Of Brakes?
When most individuals speak of replacing their vehicle’s brakes, they are referring to replacing brake pads, though rotors often need to be turned or replaced as well.
At times, consumers opt for the use of an all-encompassing brake kit if the replacement of multiple components is required.
These kits can be purchased in economy packages or high-performance packages for vehicles that are regularly used for towing.
Many of these high-performance packages include added bells and whistles such as multi-piston calipers and slotted rotors.
Brake pads are considered consumable parts, meaning they are not intended to last for the entire life of a vehicle and will require eventual replacement.
Most often, worn brake pads are first noticed when braking times become increased, brake noise becomes audible, or lower than normal brake fluid levels are observed in the master cylinder mounted brake fluid reservoir.
However, when brake pad replacement becomes necessary, multiple options exist, and it pays to have a working knowledge of the different types of new pads available.
Organic Brake Pads
Organic brake pads have been the industry standard for many years. However, they have changed in composition from their original form. Organic brake pads were originally composed of asbestos fibers.
This is a practice that has since been discontinued due to the negative ramifications of unintentional inhalation of such matter. Today, organic pads consist of rubber, carbon, glass, fiberglass, Kevlar, and other similar materials bound together in resin.
Brake pads of an organic composition tend to provide notable stopping potential, at a low price point. These pads also are relatively quiet in relation to other pad times, and impart minimal wear on rotors.
However, organic brake pads are known to be the least durable of all brake pad types.
Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason.
These pads consist of a hard ceramic compound, as their name would imply. Ceramic brake pads also include many embedded copper fibers, which assist in heat and friction distribution.
The blend of these two properties provides consistent braking upon every pedal application.
Pads of a ceramic nature tend to be ultra-quiet in operation, and offer an efficient stopping power under nearly any set of circumstances.
However, ceramic pads also impart a higher level of wear and tear on other brake system components, such as a vehicle’s rotors. In relation to organic pads, ceramic brake pads can be slightly more expensive.
Metallic Brake Pads
Metallic or semi-metallic brake pads are a favorite of those that demand the height of efficiency in braking. These pads consist primarily of a mixture of copper, iron, steel, or other composite alloys.
These metals are then blended with a resin to fill out the remainder of the pad.
Pads of a metallic nature are known for their efficiency.
The bulk of high performance and racing vehicles feature this style of pad, as little can replicate their overall stopping ability.
The trade off to this is that metallic pads can be rather noisy, and are harsh on brake rotors.
Metallic pads are generally priced at a moderate point, often commanding an expenditure that is somewhere in between that of organic and ceramic pads.
For a more in depth look at brake pads and the different kinds, check out this article.
Read More >> How Can You Repair A Brake Line Yourself?
Top 5 Best Brakes For Duramax (2020 Review)
Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads are just what any performance-minded chevy truck owner needs to bring their workhorse to a halt in a moment's notice.
These front brake pads employ the use of carbon-fiber medium material to reinforce the already robust stopping potential of traditional ceramic pads.
This results in next-level braking performance.
In addition to robust stopping power, the Power Stop Carbon-Fiber Ceramic pads offer virtually noise-free operation.
This is made possible by the pads’ thermal scorched surface and chamfered slot design.
Pros
Cons
Thes brake pads also exhibit excellent wear characteristics, thanks in part to their excellent heat dissipative properties.
This level of heat dissipation also reduces brake fade, maximizing stopping power even under high-demand conditions.
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Cons
Brake dust is also kept to a bare minimum due to specialized ceramic base stock used in these Akebono pads.
Akebono Proact Ultra Premium Ceramic Pads also offer superior wear characteristics.
These pads feature a typical service life that is far in excess of many competitor’s brake pads on the market today.
This means less time spent maintaining your brakes, and more time spent on the road.
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Cons
However, don’t be fooled into thinking that this level of silence means subpar performance.
On the contrary, Bosch QuietCast Premium Ceramic Brake Pads utilize advanced aerospace alloys, patented copper free ceramic, and a semi-metallic friction formula to provide high-end braking performance.
Pros
Cons
For those that prefer OEM style brake pads, with a little performance-minded innovation, ACDelco Professional Ceramic Brake Pads have a lot to offer.
The ceramic design of these pads ensures ample stopping integrity, while Premium shims, slots, and chamfers help to diminish noise, vibration, and braking harshness.
All ACDelco Professional Ceramic Brake Pads have been tested for quality assurance purposes, and meet or exceed SAE J2784 standards for braking effectiveness, along with Noise/Vibration/Harshness (NVH) and durability/wear specifications.
Pros
Cons
Amazingly, this level of functionality is achieved without any noticeable level of noise or unsightly brake dust.
We all know that a truck is meant to work, and must operate optimally to withstand the rigors of heavy hauling and frequent towing.
If you truly want to maximize your truck’s stopping potential when carrying out virtually any task that it can be put up against, these Power Stop Pads are worthy of your consideration.
If you are in the market for new heavy-duty brake pads for your Duramax equipped truck, don’t come to a decision without first considering Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads.
Plus, they're an excellent value for the money! Check the low price now on Amazon.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Feel free to contact us via our Proper Mechanic website and we'll get back to you with all the answers you need.
