I'm with Roni on this one. I prefer semimets for my rig. I noticed improved stopping with them over the ceramics. It's about time to put new ones on so it'll be another set of semi's. I either go with raybesto's or wagner for my pads.

Yes you are right, if you are skidding, it's because you've locked up all four from pounding the break pedal out of panic and maxed out braking capacity, and not because of the type of rotors or brake material you've picked. If you slam the brakes and hold them with any material, the same thing will happen. I had semi-metallic before I had ceramics, and I've been in numerous "almost accident" scenarios before and after each.

Since ABS wasn't a point in this conversation, I have no idea why we are even bringing this up. To my credit, ABS was not a common feature on Cherokees. It's kind of an unrelated topic that's being used to discredit my point, which is kind of disappointing to say the least.

Nevertheless, not wanting to beat a dead horse . Happy the OP got the brakes that he wanted, and I am happy with the brake selection I use.

I wasn't trying to discredit anything. Too many times when people learn that the most effective deceleration occurs at the point just before skidding occurs, they start to think that, knowing the secret to "perfect" braking, they can do this even in an emergency and no longer need things like ABS. I've seen people seek to disable ABS systems because they believe it will interfere with their perceived perfect human braking ability. I now plug ABS in some form or another to avoid people mistaking the technicalities of braking with the realities of human ability especially in emergencies. I don't want my trivia to be lead in any way to some hot-shot driver being less safe on the road.

I was providing some educational trivia since I believe that the question of ceramic vs metallic was covered, but also moot for anyone already able to lock-up their wheels with ceramic.


Another tangent: I've considered a rear disc conversion for myself, but I always pass on the idea. I can already lock-up my wheels and skid on dry pavement, so I don't see the use for additional braking power. I suppose if I was hauling heavy cargo or towing heavy tongue weights or if I got larger/wider tires where I'd have that much more traction (static friction) before a skid would occur (kinetic friction), then I'd have a use for such brake upgrades.

Even on a stock XJ w/o towing the difference that discs make compared to drums in handling when braking hard is a world of difference.

Yeah, seriously thinking on pitching the drums and going with a rear disc conversion.

Just to be clear on the previous discussions on locking the brakes...
in my case its only a test of how good the brake system works.
Had to make a semi-panic stop a few days ago with my XJ and my brakes are still far from locking up. Rear discs might be in my future.

I'm going to take fire for this one but I think the drums work fine as long as they're properly adjusted. I rebuilt the entire drum brake system on the xj D44 I picked up before I installed it. Works great IMO. I honestly think most people are scared of drums because they don't know how to service them. Yes, you need to adjust them and most people don't do it. This makes people think drums suck which isn't the case. I know when it's time to do some adjusting because my brakes don't respond as fast. I spin my tire while adjusting the drums until there is some drag felt but the tire still turns freely. Been doing drums like this for years and always had good luck.

Sure, discs are nice but I don't think the cost is worth the small increase in performance. I also don't DD my rig which may be why I don't think it's worth it

Won't get no fire from me. I agree with what you say on the drum brakes. They are totally adequate. My XJ (which is a DD for us) was ready for a complete rear brake system overhaul so I went with the conversion instead. For myself and more so my wife we like the feel of the discs all-around better. In fact she wishes I could convert her '96 Blazer but it's not a simple bolt on conversion using OEM parts.

I'll jump on this bandwagon as well, LOL...drums work great when done right. I converted to disc out back for ease of maintenance. Because let's face it, replacing drum brakes sucks compared to disc, haha!

lol I hear ya. I most certainly PREFER disc brakes but having drums don't bother me none (redneck accent).

Think i'll pull the drums next tire rotation and take a good look and make sure they're adjusted correctly. Could even be they're not self-adjusting?

The present drums and shoes are Mopar OEMs replaced maybe 20k miles ago.
Got no idea what kind of shoe composition Mopar uses. Hell might as well replace them with known's.

Just get in there and adjust em yourself. The "self" adjustment sucks. You'll have much better braking performance. Add this to your oil change routine. It's worth the extra 10 minutes.

Oh and anyone that says their drum brakes last forever is because they're never in adjustment lol