There’s a specific feeling every owner of a large SUV like the Ford Explorer knows well. It’s that slight pucker factor when you’re heading down a steep grade, the vehicle loaded with family and gear, and you press the brake pedal only to feel a disconcerting softness, a momentary hesitation before the brakes truly bite. I remember a trip through the mountains a few years back in our 2017 Explorer where that exact sensation turned a scenic drive into a white-knuckle affair. The stock brakes, while adequate for city commuting, simply weren’t up to the task of repeatedly and confidently slowing down three tons of American steel. That experience sent me down the rabbit hole of brake upgrades. It’s not about racing; it’s about safety, confidence, and restoring the feeling of absolute control, which is non-negotiable when your precious cargo is on board. A persistent squeal or a pulsating pedal isn’t just an annoyance—it’s your vehicle’s way of telling you that a critical safety system is compromised.
- Measurement: Fit Models with 13.86" inch (352mm) Front Rotors & 13.58" inch (345mm) Rear Rotors
- Brake Rotors Brake Pads Replacement for Ford Explorer (Limited, Sport, XLT; Heavy Duty Brakes) 2013-2015 - [for Ford Explorer 2016-2017 (Limited, Platinum, Sport, XLT; Heavy Duty Brakes)] - for Ford...
What to Demand from a Complete Brake Kit Before You Buy
A brake kit is more than just a set of replacement parts; it’s a key solution for restoring and often dramatically improving your vehicle’s most critical safety feature. For owners of heavy SUVs and sedans like the Ford Explorer, Flex, or Lincoln MKT, a comprehensive kit addresses common issues like brake fade under heavy use, premature rotor warping, and excessive brake dust. The main benefits are threefold: enhanced stopping power for shorter, more controlled stops; superior heat dissipation to prevent fade during towing or mountain driving; and often, a quieter, smoother operation compared to aging OEM components.
The ideal customer for this type of product is the hands-on vehicle owner, the DIY enthusiast, or anyone looking to get significantly better-than-factory performance without paying dealership prices. It’s for the family that takes road trips, the person who tows a small boat or trailer, or the daily commuter who simply demands a higher margin of safety. Conversely, this comprehensive kit might be overkill for someone who only drives their vehicle lightly on flat, urban terrain and is content with standard, off-the-shelf replacement pads. For them, a simple pad-slap might suffice, though it wouldn’t address the underlying performance limitations of stock rotors.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Fitment & Compatibility: This is the single most important factor. Brake systems, even on the same model year vehicle, can vary based on trim level, engine size, or factory-installed packages like “Heavy Duty Brakes” or a “Performance Package.” You must verify your vehicle’s specific requirements, including front and rear rotor diameters—in this case, 13.86 inches (352mm) for the front and 13.58 inches (345mm) for the rear. Checking your caliper type (e.g., 2-piston rear caliper) is also essential to avoid frustrating installation issues.
- Performance & Heat Dissipation: The design of the rotors plays a huge role here. Blank, solid rotors are standard. The drilled and slotted design on this kit, however, serves a specific purpose. The holes (drilling) allow heat and gases to escape from between the pad and rotor surface, while the slots (slotting) sweep away dust and debris, maintaining a clean contact patch. This combination is highly effective at combating brake fade during prolonged, heavy use.
- Materials & Durability: The kit pairs cast iron rotors with ceramic brake pads. Ceramic pads are prized for their quiet operation, low dust output, and consistent performance across a wide range of temperatures. They are a significant upgrade over cheaper semi-metallic pads, which can be noisy and produce a lot of wheel-dirtying dust. The fact that the kit is backed by a 10-year warranty speaks volumes about the manufacturer’s confidence in the materials and construction.
- Installation & Inclusions: A true “kit” should provide everything you need to do the job right. Beyond the four rotors and two sets of pads, the inclusion of brake cleaner and brake fluid is a thoughtful and practical touch. It saves you a separate trip to the auto parts store and ensures you’re starting with a completely fresh system. While installation is straightforward for those with mechanical experience, the sheer weight of the components means it’s a physically demanding job.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Detroit Axle Front Rear Brake Rotor & Pad Kit stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and confirm vehicle fitment here.
While the Detroit Axle Front Rear Brake Rotor & Pad Kit is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Compatible: Please CHECK the Product Description and Fitment Chart--AMAZONCONFIRMEDFIT on the top left, year & model is not enough, check more details.
- Fits: 2015 TOYOTA TUNDRA MFG After 8/2015| 2015 TOYOTA TUNDRA MFG Up To 8/2015| 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER| 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 LEXUS LX570|
- Fits: 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 JEEP WRANGLER | 2018 JEEP WRANGLER JK
Unboxing Nearly 100 Pounds of Stopping Power
Our first encounter with the Detroit Axle Front Rear Brake Rotor & Pad Kit was, to put it mildly, substantial. The courier who delivered the package deserves commendation; as one user aptly noted, this kit is incredibly heavy. The total item weight is listed at nearly 98 pounds, and it feels every ounce of it. This isn’t a criticism—it’s a testament to the sheer amount of high-grade iron you’re getting. Opening the box revealed four massive rotors, each carefully packaged to prevent damage in transit. The drilled and slotted pattern gives them an aggressive, high-performance look that immediately signals this is a serious upgrade over the plain, stock rotors they’re replacing. The zinc dichromate plating provides a clean finish and is designed to help prevent rust on the non-contact areas. The front and rear sets of ceramic pads were boxed separately, along with the bonus bottles of brake cleaner and fluid—a welcome sight for any DIY mechanic. Everything felt solid, well-machined, and ready for business. It was clear from the moment we opened the box that this was a comprehensive, no-nonsense solution designed for heavy-duty applications.
What We Like
- Comprehensive kit includes all four rotors, pads, and even brake fluid and cleaner.
- Drilled and slotted rotor design provides a significant upgrade in cooling and wet-weather performance.
- Premium ceramic pads ensure quiet, low-dust operation for daily driving comfort.
- Exceptional value, offering performance features often found in much more expensive kits.
What We Didn’t Like
- Extremely heavy single-box shipment can be difficult to handle upon delivery.
- Fitment can be confusing; requires meticulous verification of vehicle sub-models and brake packages.
In the Garage and On the Road: A Comprehensive Performance Breakdown
A brake kit’s true worth is proven in two places: the garage during installation and out on the pavement under pressure. We put the Detroit Axle Front Rear Brake Rotor & Pad Kit to the test on our 2018 Ford Explorer Sport, a vehicle known for its hefty curb weight and powerful engine, making it a perfect candidate to highlight the benefits of a braking upgrade.
Installation and Fitment: The Moment of Truth
This is where many budget-friendly brake kits fall short, with misaligned bolt holes or incorrect rotor thickness causing hours of frustration. We approached the installation with cautious optimism. The first step was confirming the rotor sizes: a quick measurement verified the 13.86″ front and 13.58″ rear diameters were correct for our Heavy Duty Brake-equipped model. One of the user reviews we saw mentioned a potential fitment discrepancy regarding the rear calipers on an Explorer Sport, noting their vehicle had a single-piston caliper while listings often mention dual-piston. We can confirm that on our model, which also features the single-piston rear caliper, the rotors and pads fit perfectly without any modification. This is a crucial piece of information for other Explorer Sport owners who might hesitate based on confusing online fitment guides. The key is the rotor diameter, not necessarily the caliper description.
The physical process was laborious due to the weight of the rotors, but otherwise straightforward. The old components came off, and the new Detroit Axle rotors slid onto the hubs precisely. The pads fit snugly into the caliper brackets, and all the original hardware was compatible. The inclusion of the brake cleaner was invaluable for prepping the new rotor surfaces, removing any packing oils to ensure a clean mate with the pads. Having the brake fluid on hand was also perfect for the final brake bleeding process, guaranteeing the entire hydraulic system was fresh. While one user reported receiving rear rotors that were too thick for their calipers, our experience was seamless. This underscores the absolute necessity of verifying your exact vehicle configuration before ordering, as it appears there can be variations that catch even experienced mechanics by surprise.
Stopping Power and Fade Resistance Under Load
After completing the installation, the next critical step is the bedding-in procedure. This involves a series of controlled stops to properly mate the new pad material to the rotor surface, ensuring smooth, powerful, and quiet performance for the life of the brakes. We followed the standard procedure of several moderate stops from 40 mph, followed by a few more aggressive stops from 60 mph, all without coming to a complete stop to avoid imprinting the pad material unevenly. After a cool-down period, the difference was immediately apparent.
The initial bite is firm and confidence-inspiring, a stark contrast to the often-spongy feel of the worn OEM pads. In simulated panic stops from highway speeds, the Explorer hunkered down and came to a halt with authority and control, shaving noticeable distance off its stopping performance. But the real test came on a long, winding downhill grade where the old brakes would have begun to fade, requiring more and more pedal pressure to achieve the same slowing effect. With the Detroit Axle kit, the performance was consistent from the top of the hill to the bottom. The drilled and slotted design was clearly doing its job, dissipating the immense heat generated and preventing that dreaded brake fade. This is precisely the kind of performance you need when towing or navigating challenging terrain, and as one user noted, we found they indeed work better than the original OEM setup. For the sheer improvement in stopping confidence, this brake kit is a worthwhile investment in safety.
Noise, Dust, and Daily Drivability
Aggressive braking performance can sometimes come at the cost of daily comfort. High-performance brake pads, especially semi-metallic types, are notorious for squealing and grinding, particularly when cold. They also tend to coat your wheels in a thick layer of black dust within a few days of washing your car. This is where the choice of ceramic pads in the Detroit Axle Front Rear Brake Rotor & Pad Kit truly shines. From the moment the bedding-in process was complete, the brakes have been virtually silent. There is no squeal on gentle stops, no grinding noise when cold, and no vibration under hard braking. They operate with the smoothness you’d expect from a luxury vehicle, not a performance-oriented brake kit.
Furthermore, the low-dust formulation is a game-changer for anyone who takes pride in their vehicle’s appearance. After a week of mixed city and highway driving, our Explorer’s wheels showed only a minimal, light-colored dusting, a dramatic improvement over the grimy buildup we were used to with previous brake pads. This combination of enhanced stopping power and refined daily manners is the holy grail for a vehicle that serves as both a family hauler and a capable workhorse. It delivers the performance you need when things get serious, without any of the annoying side effects during your daily commute.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our positive experience is largely echoed by the broader community of users, though not without some important caveats. Many owners express their satisfaction, with one long-time customer stating they’ve been buying “super brakes” from the company since 2012, indicating strong brand loyalty and consistent product quality over time. Another user, who installed the kit on their 2018 Ford Explorer Sport, was thrilled to find it fit perfectly despite confusing fitment descriptions online and noted that the previously installed Carquest parts from a big-box store had warped quickly. This highlights the value and durability of the Detroit Axle offering.
However, the most critical feedback centers on fitment. One very frustrated customer reported that after successfully installing the front brakes, they discovered the rear rotors were too thick for the calipers to be reinstalled. This forced them to do the job twice and left them waiting for the correct parts. This negative experience serves as a powerful and essential warning: you must be absolutely certain of your vehicle’s specific brake configuration before placing an order. While the product itself performs admirably when it fits, the onus is on the buyer to ensure they are ordering the correct part number for their specific trim and package.
How Does the Detroit Axle Kit Compare to the Competition?
The automotive aftermarket is crowded, so it’s crucial to see where the Detroit Axle Front Rear Brake Rotor & Pad Kit fits in. We looked at three other popular options to provide context.
1. Brake X Front and Rear Brake Pads and Rotors Kit for Toyota Rav4
- Get The Right Fit: The front and rear replacement brakes and rotors kit are built for 2013 2014 2015 2016 Rav4 2.5L, 275mm Front Disc, Made In Japan
- 12 Piece Brake Kit Replacement: Designed for 2013-2016 Toyota Rav4 Brake pads and rotors kit. Our front and rear brake kit comes with 4 brake rotors for the front and back along with 8 automotive...
This Brake X kit is designed for a completely different class of vehicle, the Toyota Rav4. It represents an OE+ (Original Equipment Plus) replacement. The rotors are smooth, not drilled and slotted, and the focus is on providing a quiet, reliable, and affordable solution that meets or slightly exceeds factory specifications. Someone would choose this over the Detroit Axle kit if they owned a Rav4 and were simply looking for a high-quality, stock-style replacement for their daily driver. It prioritizes comfort and affordability over the high-performance heat dissipation needed for heavy towing or aggressive driving that the Detroit Axle kit is built for.
2. Power Stop K6560-36 Front and Rear Brake Kit
- Fits: Cadillac Escalade 2015 - 2020 | Cadillac Escalade ESV 2015 - 2020 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 - 2014 - 2019 | Chevrolet Silverado SSV 2015 - 2018 | Chevrolet Suburban 2015 - 2020 | Chevrolet...
- Z36 Front & Rear Brake Pad & Rotor Kit Includes: 2x Front Drilled & Slotted Brake Rotors + 2x Rear Drilled & Slotted Brake Rotors + 1x Front Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pad Set w/Hardware + 1x Rear...
The Power Stop K6560-36 kit is a much more direct competitor. Designed for large SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade, its “Truck & Tow” designation and features—drilled and slotted rotors paired with carbon-fiber ceramic pads—put it in the same high-performance category. Power Stop is a very well-regarded brand in the performance braking space, often considered a benchmark. An owner might choose the Power Stop kit for its brand recognition and specific carbon-fiber pad compound, though it typically comes at a higher price point. The choice between the two often comes down to budget versus brand preference, as both offer a similar, significant upgrade for heavy vehicles.
3. Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit F-150 [Manual Parking Brake] Disc Rotors Ceramic Pads
- Measurement: Fit Models with 13.70 inch (348mm) Rear Rotor Outside Diameter
- Rear Brake Pads and Rotors Kit Replacement for 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Ford F-150 (6Lugs; Manual Parking Only) - [2012 2013 2014 Ford F-150 (6 Lugs)]
This final alternative from Detroit Axle itself is interesting because it’s a rear-only kit designed for the Ford F-150 truck. This comparison highlights two strengths of our reviewed product. First, the product we tested is a complete front-and-rear solution, ensuring a balanced brake system and saving the hassle of sourcing parts separately. Second, it demonstrates that Detroit Axle has a broad catalog covering a wide range of popular American vehicles. A customer might choose this F-150 kit if they only needed to service their rear brakes, but it reinforces the comprehensive value offered by the four-wheel kit for the Ford Explorer and its platform mates.
Final Verdict: Is the Detroit Axle Brake Kit the Right Choice for Your Ford or Lincoln?
After extensive hands-on testing in the garage and on the road, our conclusion is clear: the Detroit Axle Front Rear Brake Rotor & Pad Kit offers an almost unbeatable combination of performance, quality, and value. It transforms the braking characteristics of a heavy SUV, replacing spongy, fade-prone performance with sharp, confident, and consistent stopping power. The high-quality ceramic pads ensure this performance doesn’t come with the usual drawbacks of noise or excessive dust, making it a perfect upgrade for a daily-driven vehicle.
The package is truly comprehensive, including the often-overlooked but necessary fluids to do the job right. The single, crucial caveat is fitment. This is not a “one size fits all” product, and you must do your homework to confirm your vehicle’s specific brake package and rotor dimensions. For the owner of a compatible Ford Explorer, Flex, Taurus, or Lincoln MKT/MKS who is willing to double-check their specs, this kit is an outstanding investment in safety and driving pleasure. It’s for anyone who tows, lives in a hilly area, or simply wants to feel more connected and in control of their vehicle.
If you’ve decided the Detroit Axle Front Rear Brake Rotor & Pad Kit is the right fit for your vehicle, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API