Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150 Review: A Hands-On Verdict for the Workhorse Truck

There’s a specific, gut-wrenching sound that every truck owner dreads: the high-pitched squeal that quickly devolves into a metallic, grinding roar every time you touch the brake pedal. It’s the sound of money leaving your wallet. That was the situation I found myself in with our shop’s 2016 Ford F-150. After 130,000 miles of hauling gear, towing trailers, and navigating job sites, the factory rear brakes had finally waved the white flag. As one user aptly put it, the first indication was “that grinding noise that lets you know now you need new rotors too.” He wasn’t wrong. A quick inspection revealed rotors scored beyond salvation and pads worn down to the backing plates. For a workhorse like the F-150, reliable stopping power isn’t a luxury; it’s a non-negotiable safety requirement. Letting it go on is not just irresponsible—it’s dangerous. The search for a replacement wasn’t about finding the cheapest option, but the best value: a kit that promised OEM-level performance and durability without the dealership price tag. That’s what led us to the Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150.

What to Consider Before Buying a Replacement Brake Kit

An automotive replacement brake kit is more than just a set of spare parts; it’s a key solution for restoring one of your vehicle’s most critical safety systems. It addresses the inevitable wear and tear that compromises stopping distances, pedal feel, and overall vehicle control. The primary benefit of a complete kit is assurance. By replacing rotors and pads simultaneously, you ensure that all components are new, perfectly matched, and will wear in together, providing consistent, predictable braking performance from day one. This eliminates the guesswork and potential compatibility issues of mixing and matching components from different brands or of varying wear levels, which can lead to noise, vibration, and premature failure.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a DIY-savvy truck owner or a budget-conscious individual looking for a high-quality alternative to expensive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. They are facing diminished braking performance, noise, or vibration and want a comprehensive, all-in-one solution. This kit is perfect for those who use their F-150 for daily driving, light to moderate towing, and general work tasks. However, it might not be the best fit for those engaged in extreme off-roading or competitive high-performance driving, who might require specialized drilled or slotted rotors for maximum heat dissipation. For those drivers, a dedicated performance brake system might be a more suitable, albeit more expensive, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Fitment and Compatibility: This is the single most important factor. For the Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150, you must verify three things: your F-150’s model year (2012-2020), that it has a manual parking brake (not electric), and the correct rotor diameter (13.70 inches). Ordering the wrong part is the most common pitfall, leading to frustration and delays. Always double-check your vehicle’s specifications before purchasing.
• Braking Performance: Consider your driving habits. The ceramic brake pads included in this kit are engineered for quiet, low-dust operation and consistent stopping power under normal conditions. They offer a smooth pedal feel and are excellent for daily commuting and utility work. If you frequently tow heavy loads down steep grades, you’ll need to ensure the components can handle the higher thermal stress.
• Materials and Durability: The quality of the materials directly impacts longevity and safety. This kit features ceramic pads, which are known for their long life and reduced rotor wear compared to cheaper semi-metallic pads. The rotors are cast from high-strength metals and engineered to meet or exceed OEM specifications, ensuring they resist warping and provide reliable performance for tens of thousands of miles. The included 10-year warranty is a testament to the manufacturer’s confidence in its materials.
• Ease of Installation and Inclusions: A good kit should contain everything you need for a straightforward job. This Detroit Axle kit includes rotors, pads, and all necessary hardware like pad clips. Some sellers even bundle in brake cleaner and fluid, which is a fantastic value-add that saves a separate trip to the auto parts store. This makes it an attractive package for the home mechanic who values convenience.

Making the right choice ensures your truck stops safely and reliably for years to come, offering peace of mind every time you get behind the wheel.

While the Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150 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:

Unboxing and First Impressions: Heavy-Duty Hardware

The Detroit Axle kit arrived in a single, hefty box weighing over 50 pounds. Right away, the weight conveyed a sense of substance. Inside, the two 13.70-inch rear rotors were securely packaged, along with the set of ceramic brake pads and a hardware kit. The rotors themselves felt dense and well-machined, with a non-directional swirl finish on the braking surface designed to aid in the bed-in process. There were no visible casting flaws or machining marks, which spoke to a good level of quality control. The ceramic pads were equally impressive. One experienced user, who noted they have “done over 3 million in auto repair business,” was “amazed at the quality of the pads,” claiming they were far superior to even well-known, more expensive brands. We felt the same way; the backing plates were solid, the shims were pre-installed, and the friction material was uniform. A welcome surprise in our kit was the inclusion of a can of brake parts cleaner and a bottle of DOT 3 brake fluid. While this is a huge convenience, we did note some user feedback about these fluid containers rupturing during shipping, creating a mess. Thankfully, our package arrived intact, but it’s something to be aware of. Overall, the initial impression was that this was a serious, comprehensive kit that offered exceptional value right out of the box. You can see the full list of included components here.

Deep Dive: Putting the Detroit Axle Kit to the Test

A brake kit’s true worth is only revealed on the road, under real-world conditions. We installed the Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150 on our 2016 F-150 XLT with the manual parking brake and put it through a rigorous evaluation, from the installation process in the garage to its performance under load. We focused on the three aspects that matter most to a truck owner: fitment and ease of installation, on-road stopping power and noise, and long-term durability prospects.

Installation and Fitment: A Perfect Match (If You Do Your Homework)

For any DIY mechanic, the installation process can be a source of either great satisfaction or immense frustration. With the Detroit Axle kit, our experience was overwhelmingly positive. The entire job, from jacking up the truck to the final torque of the lug nuts, took just under two hours. The old, scored rotors came off with some persuasion from a rubber mallet, and the new ones slid right onto the hub assembly without any issue. The diameter and bolt pattern were a perfect OEM match. The included brake pad hardware clips, which are often a pain point with aftermarket kits, snapped into the caliper brackets cleanly and securely. One user confirmed our experience, stating, “No complaints. Brake pad clips fit perfectly and seem to work great!” The pads themselves dropped into place effortlessly.

However, this seamless experience hinges entirely on ordering the correct kit. The user reviews contain cautionary tales that we must echo. One buyer noted their kit was a half-inch too big, while another received a kit for a manual parking brake when they needed one for an electric version. This isn’t a flaw in the product itself, but a critical reminder for the buyer. Before you click “purchase,” you must physically verify your truck’s specifications. Check if you have a manual or electric parking brake (a simple visual inspection of your center console and rear calipers will tell you). Measure your existing rotor if possible or confirm the 13.70-inch (348mm) spec in your owner’s manual. When you order the right part number, the fit is flawless, just as we and many other satisfied users found. Ensuring you have the correct specifications for your truck is the first step to a successful installation.

On-the-Road Performance: Smooth, Silent, and Confident Stopping

Once installed, we performed the crucial bed-in procedure: a series of moderate-to-hard stops from around 40-50 mph down to 10 mph (without coming to a complete stop) to allow the pads to deposit an even layer of friction material onto the rotors. This process is vital for preventing future noise and vibration. The results were immediate and impressive. The most noticeable difference from the worn-out OEM brakes was the silence. The ceramic pads in the Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150 are exceptionally quiet. There was no squealing, groaning, or chatter, just smooth, progressive stopping power.

The pedal feel is firm and responsive, inspiring confidence without being overly aggressive or “grabby.” For daily driving, the performance is superb. Stops are linear and easily modulated, making city traffic less of a chore. We then hooked up a 6,000-pound trailer to test the kit under more stressful conditions. Even with the added weight, the rear brakes performed admirably, showing no signs of premature fade during a series of repeated stops. The truck felt stable and controlled, a significant improvement over the worn factory setup that one user correctly identified as “not doing the job!” After several hundred miles of mixed driving, we also observed a significant reduction in brake dust on the rear wheels, a well-known benefit of ceramic pads that keeps your wheels looking cleaner for longer. This kit delivers a tangible upgrade in both performance and civility over stock components.

Durability and Long-Term Value: Built to Last

While our short-term test was conclusive, the long-term value of a brake kit lies in its durability. The construction of the Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150 components suggests excellent longevity. The rotors are manufactured to precise specifications designed to dissipate heat effectively, which is the primary defense against warping over time. Warped rotors are the cause of that annoying steering wheel shimmy or brake pedal pulsation during braking, and a quality casting is the best prevention.

The ceramic pads are the other half of the durability equation. They are inherently harder and more resistant to heat than traditional organic or semi-metallic pads, meaning they last longer and are gentler on the rotor surface. This synergy between the pad and rotor materials is what creates a long-lasting brake system. The manufacturer backs this up with a 10-year warranty, which, while impressive, primarily covers structural integrity rather than normal wear. More practically, the 1-year warranty against material and workmanship defects provides a solid safety net. Given the affordable price point, achieving 50,000-70,000 miles or more from this kit—a realistic expectation for ceramic pads under normal use—represents an outstanding return on investment. As one user noted, these are “Good quality parts at prices you can afford,” and that perfectly encapsulates the value proposition of this kit. It’s a smart investment in your truck’s safety and maintenance.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general consensus among owners mirrors our own findings: the Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150 offers tremendous value and quality, provided you order the correct part. Positive feedback overwhelmingly praises the perfect fit and easy installation. Comments like “Fit great, easy install” and “Everything works perfect on my 2016 Ford F150” are common. Many, like the auto repair veteran, were genuinely “amazed at the quality,” especially considering the affordable price point compared to big-name brands from local auto parts stores.

However, the negative feedback serves as an important warning. The most frequent complaint stems from incorrect fitment, with users receiving parts for the wrong parking brake system or a different rotor size. This highlights the absolute necessity of verifying vehicle specs before ordering. A few users also reported issues with shipping, specifically the included bottles of brake fluid and cleaner breaking open and coating the components. While this is more of a packaging issue than a product flaw, it’s an inconvenience worth noting. In one severe case, a user reported receiving used parts, which is an unacceptable fulfillment error. Despite these isolated issues, the overwhelming sentiment is positive, especially when the correct product is received intact. The positive user experiences far outweigh the negatives.

How Does It Compare? The Top 3 Alternatives

While the Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150 is a fantastic choice for its target vehicle, it’s helpful to see what else is out there. We looked at three other popular kits to provide some context and help buyers understand their options.

1. Detroit Axle Brake Kit Front Rear Rotors Pads

This is an apples-to-apples comparison in terms of brand, but for a different family of trucks. This comprehensive kit from Detroit Axle is designed for GM trucks like the Silverado, Sierra, and Tahoe. It often includes both front and rear brakes, and some variants feature drilled and slotted rotors for enhanced heat dissipation and a more aggressive look. If you are a GM owner looking for the same value and quality we found in the F-150 kit, this is your go-to option. It serves as a strong endorsement for the Detroit Axle brand as a whole, showing they provide consistent quality across different vehicle platforms.

2. Max Advanced Brakes Front & Rear Brake Kit

This kit from Max Advanced Brakes is for a completely different class of vehicle: compact cars like the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte. While not a direct competitor for an F-150 owner, it’s a great example of the broader market. These kits are typically lighter-duty and more focused on providing a quiet, smooth OEM-style replacement for daily driving. Someone choosing between this and a Detroit Axle kit for their compact car would be weighing similar factors: value, material quality (ceramic pads), and all-in-one convenience. It’s a reminder that good value brake solutions exist for all types of vehicles, not just full-size trucks.

3. Acinoparts Front Brake Kit Drilled Slotted Ceramic

The Acinoparts kit represents a step up in performance for GM trucks. The key feature here is the drilled and slotted rotors. The holes (drilling) and grooves (slotting) on the rotor surface help vent hot gases and debris from between the pad and rotor, which can improve initial bite and performance under repeated heavy braking. This makes it a great alternative for truck owners who do a lot of heavy towing or want a more aggressive, high-performance aesthetic. The trade-off can sometimes be slightly increased brake noise (a faint whirring sound) and potentially faster pad wear. For an F-150 owner who wants more than the standard Detroit Axle kit offers, seeking out a similar drilled/slotted option would be the logical next step.

The Final Verdict: An Unbeatable Value for the Everyday F-150 Owner

After a thorough hands-on test and analysis, we can confidently recommend the Detroit Axle Rear Brake Kit for Ford F-150. It delivers on every promise: the quality of the components is excellent, the on-road performance is smooth, quiet, and confidence-inspiring, and the overall value is nearly impossible to beat. It provides an OEM-or-better braking experience for a fraction of the cost you’d pay at a dealership or for premium “name brands” at a local parts store. It’s the perfect solution for the F-150 owner who uses their truck as a daily driver, a work vehicle, or for moderate towing and hauling.

The only significant caveat is the crucial need for due diligence before purchasing. You absolutely must confirm that your truck has the manual parking brake and the 13.70-inch rear rotors this kit is designed for. If you do your homework and get the right part, you’ll be rewarded with a straightforward installation and a braking system that feels brand new. For the DIYer looking to restore their truck’s safety and performance without breaking the bank, this kit is an outstanding choice. If you’re ready to get rid of that grinding noise and bring your F-150’s stopping power back to life, check the latest price and confirm compatibility for your truck today.