A proper braking system is very essential for any vehicle. It doesn’t just provide you with a comfortable ride but also ensures safety. That is why you need very good brakes.
For most experienced riders, maintenance of brakes is one of the high-priority tasks concerning vehicle service. After all, who wouldn’t be conscious about convenient and reliable brakes? And as a Jeep owner and an automotive writer, I feel it is my responsibility to provide insight on this subject and give useful suggestions.
When you feel your jeep is not responding well to your brake-pressing or is producing a high-pitched squeal, it’s time you understand your brakes are not in good condition.
The problem usually lies in brake pads, rotors, and calipers. And your brakes need some repair and replacements.
Here in this guide, I will discuss the 5 best brake pads for Jeep Gladiator. Along with the brake pads, this guide will also cover some of the best rotors and calipers for gladiators you can find in the market.
Contents
The 5 Best Brake Pads For Jeep Gladiator
Brake pads are components in a brake system that press on the brake rotors to slow down the vehicle and stop. If you have worn out brake pads, it is best you replace them.
It prevents your truck from further damage to the brake caliper and rotor which are more expensive to replace. So, replacing the worn-out brake pads with a set of quality pads is highly recommended.
Now, all the people don’t know how to distinguish good brake pads from the hundreds of brake pads that are on the market. So, I have picked my top choices for Jeep Gladiator. When purchasing make sure to buy the correct brake pad set for your jeep model year with filters in Amazon.
Power Stop Z36 Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads
Power Stop is a very popular brand for brake components. It is one of the most trusted brands for Jeep vehicles which are designed for all-terrain purposes. And it is one of my personal favorite and most used brands too.
Power Stop Z36 Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads have excellent stopping power, thanks to its Truck & Tow Carbon-fiber ceramic formula. These brake pads also provide dust-free braking performance.
The premium stainless steel shims help to enhance heat dissipation and also minimize the braking noise significantly providing you a noise-free braking experience.
Furthermore, Z36 Carbon-fiber ceramic brake pads have improved powder-coated backing plate which helps to resist rust and corrosion. This feature makes the brake pads durable.
Pros:
- Improved brake power
- Dust-free mechanism
- Noise-free
- Durable
Cons:
- Some users report hardware fit issues (but I didn’t faced that kind of issue so far with my jeeps)
KFE KFE1589-104 Ultra Quiet Advanced Premium Ceramic Brake Pad
KFE Brake Pads are one of the best brake pads you can find for your Jeep Gladiator.
Its ceramic formula contributes to the maximum and consistent coefficient of friction that allows you to brake harder, faster, and longer. This feature provides consistent braking throughout all seasons enduring all the temperature conditions.
These brake pads also provide outstanding durability as they are treated with a thermo scorched and positive molding process.
As the name suggests, KFE Ultra Quiet Brake Pads can minimize the vibration noise impressively, thanks to its dual-rubber shims. Made completely with asbestos-free materials, these brake pads qualify for the 2021 national standard material safety standards.
Pros:
- Impressive fitting
- Noise-less
- Long-lasting
- Environment friendly
Cons:
- Not as dust-free as other brake pads mentioned in this guide
ACDelco Advantage 14D1589CH Ceramic Disc Brake Pad
If you are looking for an efficient, reliable, and economical brake pad, ACDelco Advantage Ceramic Disc Brake Pads perform very well.
ACDelco’s ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic formulas offer reliable and safe braking experience for jeeps. These brake pads are capable of reducing vibration and noise, thanks to their basic shims, slots, and chamfers.
These brake pads are easy to install and do not require curing or machining. Furthermore, ACDelco Advantage Brake Pads are able to reduce the impact of corrosion considerably.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Reliable brake pads
- Easy to install
- Low noise
Cons:
- Some users report pads cracking
Dynamic Friction Company 3000 Ceramic Brake Pads
Dynamic Friction Company 3000 Ceramic Brake Pads are mostly applicable for passenger and light-duty trucks.
These brake pads feature impressive fade resistance and extremely low dust characteristics. Chamfers and slots minimize the braking noise.
DFC brake pads can reduce the initial break-in period considerably and enhance stopping power. These pads are 100% Asbestos-free making them environmentally friendly too.
Besides these features, these brake pads perform consistently across a wide range of temperatures.
Pros:
- Outstanding fade resistance
- Reliable performance
- Low noise
- Attractive price
Cons:
- Good performance for its price but not the best product on the market
Centric 500.15890 PQ Pro Pads
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Centric PQ Pro Pads feature low-dust formula and are very good brake pads. These brake pads are capable of minimizing noise to a great extent, thanks to their multi-layer mechanically attached shims. PQ Pro Pads consist of precision-cut backing plates that enhance the pad fitting and operation.
Centric PQ Pro Pads’ manufacturing includes a positive molding process and is able to address issues such as brake fade, weak braking response, and high temperatures. Furthermore, these brake pads offer a One-Year Centric Assured Roadside Assistance Guarantee.
Pros:
- Great fitment
- Low noise
- 100% Asbestos-free
Cons:
- Medium dust rating
Top Brake Rotors And Calipers For Jeep Gladiator
Brake rotors, also referred to as brake discs, are components of a brake system that slow down or stop a vehicle when pressed by brake pads. And brake calipers are brake parts that are on either side of the rotor.
Calipers squeeze the brake pads against the brake disc or rotor to create friction, thus they slow down the vehicle or stop it.
Brake rotors and brake calipers usually last for a long time if the brake pads are replaced on a timely basis. They are also more costly to replace compared to brake pads.
For a reliable and efficient braking system, you should know which brake rotors and brake calipers to buy for your jeep. Since the braking system is very important, auto technicians always recommend replacing your rotors and calipers with a quality set.
You can find different brake rotors and calipers for your Jeep Gladiator in auto stores and online stores. Reading some product reviews online is helpful to choose a good brake part.
You can buy the brake parts together as a set if you are looking for a set replacement and the parts can be bought separately too. The brake kits are available on various online shopping platforms. Amazon also offers a wide range of auto parts in its online store.
Usually, a good rotor is drilled and has holes. This helps in regulating temperature. A rotor also has a coating to resist dirt, rust, and heat.
Some of the top brands that manufacture excellent brake rotors for a Jeep Gladiator are Power Stop, Baer, and Wilwood.
Power Stop Evolution Cross-Drilled and Slotted Rotors
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Power Stop Evolution Cross-Drilled and Slotted Rotors are one of my favorite picks for brake rotors for Jeep Gladiator. The rotor has a cross-drilled and slotted design and offers outstanding braking power. It is one of the best quality rotors available in the auto stores that you can use on your Gladiator for a wide range of terrains and across all seasons.
Baer Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotor
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Similarly, Baer Brake Replacement Drilled and Slotted Driver Side Brake Rotor is one of the best and most popular brake rotors for a Jeep Gladiator. Its drilled and slotted design serves for impressive brake dust expulsion. The rotor features zinc plating that resists corrosion. I have always liked its performance on my Jeep, but yes, they are slightly expensive.
Regarding brake calipers, Baer, Wilwood, Power Stop, and DFC are my favorite brands. Generally, these brands offer great quality calipers that are corrosion resistant, reliable, and durable.
Check Wilwood Caliper price on Amazon
Check Power Stop Caliper Price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Brake Pads, Rotors, And Calipers
What are the symptoms of worn-out brake pads?
You should know your brake pads have worn out if they are producing squealing or grinding noises and/or reduced brake response.
You can also feel vibration or wobbling when applying brakes. Besides it, some other symptoms are brake warning light, slower brakes, and a soft or spongy brake pedal.
What causes the brake pad to wear unevenly?
Usually, variation in the rotor thickness, sticky caliper pistons, and misalignment in the brake pads are causes behind uneven brake pad wear. This kind of uneven wearing in brake rotors and Pads can ultimately leads to jeep shuddering issues also.
How often should you replace your brake pads?
On average the brake pads need replacement every 50,000 miles. But it also depends on your driving habits.
How do you know your brake rotors need replacement?
If you are experiencing vibration in the brake pedals and steering wheel, usually when you are slowing down, you should check your rotors.
Besides it, you also may see blue coloration and wear on the rotor. Furthermore, a bad rotor also produces screeching noise.
How long do brake rotors last?
Usually, brake rotors may last between 50,000 to 70,000 miles, unless you are driving in extreme driving conditions that minimize the rotor life.
What damages brake calipers?
Mostly, driving a car on worn-out pads or bad rotors can cause your car’s brake calipers to go bad. Excessive heat and a damaged piston also can damage brake calipers.
Can you drive with a stuck caliper?
It’s best you don’t and get your brakes repaired or replaced. A stuck caliper can cause the brake system to fail.
How To Choose A Better Brake Set?
Having a very good brake set gives you a comfortable and reliable driving experience. So there are few things you should know while you are choosing your brake kit.
First of all, there are many renowned brands that offer great brake parts but they may not fit your vehicle.
Usually, on Amazon and other online stores, you can apply filters, clarifying your vehicle brand, model, and year, to find out which brake kits fit your vehicle.
Secondly, you can check the features the brake set offers. You have to look for a strong build and durable kit that has outstanding stopping power.
Ceramic brake pads are usually more long-lasting and quiet, but if you are looking for a better cold bite, you might want to choose metallic brake pads.
It is very important that the brake kits are made up of stainless and corrosion-resistant material, and perform heat regulation very well.
You can also check and compare different brake features that make the braking noise-free and dust-free.
Lastly, I would also recommend you to see how environment-friendly the brake kits are. For instance, 100% Asbestos-free pads are available on the market.
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Peace!!
