What happened to technical help?

I have 15,000 miles on my 2020 Tundra and was doing an oil change and tire rotation. I noticed I need a set of pads and want to do it before the temperature drops. I guess all that towing my car long distance takes a toll on pads. I wasn’t ecstatic with the stock pads. They are good but wanted a bit more initial bite. On Thursday 11/14 sent this email:

I have a 2020 Toyota Tundra. I need front and rear brake pads. Performance Auto Solutions in Holbrook, NY recommended your pads for replacement. https://www.performanceautosolutions.com/

The Tundra is not my day-to-day ride. I do not think the stock Toyota pads have enough “bite”.

I use the truck 50% for transportation, and 50% for towing my boat and Corvette to the track.

As I mentioned, I like a pad with more bite. Ability to not fade when towing heavy loads is another requirement.

I like something rotor friendly. But that is secondary to the above requirements.

Dust and how quiet they are is not that important.

Can you make a pad recommendation based on the above requirements?

Thank you. Reply requested.

So I sent this email to:

'technical@ebcbrakesuk.com'

'TechSupport@HawkPerformance.com'

'techhotline@firstbrandsgroup.com'

I have not received one response. Are my expectations set too high for a reply?

 

Stoptech cryo treated slotted rotors and EBC yellow pads here. Stops loads well. If you want to get the very best, Alcon has brake kits that are superior to all, but you might need to sell your kidneys to help fund the purchase.

 

I 2nd that on the yellow stuff pads. They are dusty as hell but they are far superior to the OEM pads.

 

I do not need rotors, just pads.

 

Out of curiosity I looked at the Alcon. They didn’t have Tundra so I looked at Tacoma.

You were correct….$465 for pads is nuts. What could make them so special to be worth that kind of money?

 

If you want better brake fade resistance, you also need different rotors.

 

To answer your thread title and actual question... it's out the window and nearly impossible to find these days and beyond frustrating!!!

Now, you sound like you have an idea of what you're doing and looking for. But, in case you're not familiar or lack some experience w/these rigs, here's something to think about...

You're asking for more stopping power and 'bite' w/o changing the rotors. The only real way to achieve this is by generating more friction; more friction comes from softer pads; softer pads wear faster (particularly during heavier use), but more importantly they generate more heat; more heat results in brake fade and warped rotors... brake fade can be dangerous and warped rotors is something most of us have dealt w/early on when towing w/these trucks (in other words it's common).

The brakes on these trucks are definitely under performing, especially when you add weight and stress of towing to the equation...

So, bottom line is, I'd recommend not going w/a softer pad on the OE rotors... stick w/OE until you're ready to swap rotors out as well.

 

Look again, they do in fact have kits for the Tundra and there are several members on this forum who have them on their trucks. Very costly, but very effective.

 

Stoptech cryo treated rotors and Yellow Stuff pads are a couple of my next upgrades.

 

I must admit, I have never been a fan of drilled rotors. This is just my opinion. I have a Corvette I have tracked for years. The new pad material is far superior to what I ran in the 70’s. I have multiple tracked the car with multiple stops from150 and have not gassed a set of modern pads. Yes, I do duct my brakes for good airflow and I change the brake fluid regularly. I have a friend who is a racer and knows engineers. He met a engineer who said they drill rotors more or less for aesthetics and customers want it. I have also seen rotors with stress cracks around the holes.

I find it hard to believe I need drilled and/or slotted rotors on my Tundra. Again, my opinion. There is really nothing wrong with the Toyota pads. I stopped my truck while towing down from 70 MPH. I just like something with some more initial bite than the stock pads.

 

Go on Rockauto.com, and look under the brake pad category. Look for the sections, "Heavy Duty (Long Life, Truck & Tow)" and "High Performance".

Any of the pads listed as semi-metallic will have the extra bite that you are looking for.

I'm currently using the Dynamic Friction Ultimate Duty pads on 1st gen and 2.5 gen Tundras, and they are an improvement over the stock pads. They do produce more dust than the stock pads.

I have used Bendix FleetMetlok and Centric Fleet Performance on other trucks with good results. You can spend a lot of $$ EBC and Hawk (and they do make excellent products), but the solution you seek may be right here.

 

For the best results, might as well go ahead and add the stoptech stainless braided hose kits to your list too.

 

And an inspection of the braking system if you're needing pads at 15k miles.

 

She's a beauty

 

Thank you. Thats my son driving at Summit Point Raceway. Interesting since we are talking brakes and brake pads…. The first time I tracked the car, I got the brakes very hot. The pads gassed and when I went back into the pits, I had both feet on the pedal and gently rolled into a chain link fence that stopped me. That was lesson one.

Then I tried metal racing pads. Great on the track, miserable on cold days on the street. That was lesson 2.

I finally started to write technical people and found a good street strip pad material. Lesson 3. The correct material for my application. The newer materials are far superior to what I used to run. No more gassing pads.