First off,
If you've never done brakes and you think yours are 'sucking', then take it to a proficient mechanic or shop to look at.
You may find yourself on the last few legs of braking power which can get scary when all of a sudden they aren't working.
Couple of things about brakes especially on the Delica's being the giant front heavy bricks they are.
1. Always do brakes in sets/pairs (ie. if you replace the rotor and pads on the left, do you the exact same on the right). This goes without question if you want to drive a safe vehicle.
2. Don't cheap out on brakes.
Below is an example of stock brakes gone bad. Caliper was on it's way to being seized. Because of the added heat generated, it put that smack onto the bearings. In turn, the bearings fried. Heat scores on the rotors and uneven wear on the pads are equally as good signs.
The other picture is a comparison of standard stock rotors that 99% of Pajero/Delica's come with (on the left).
On the right, you can see a Raybestos brake rotor. See the difference ?
Stock (left) has only part of the rotor face machined.
Upgraded/Raybestos (right) has then entire rotor machined.
The upgraded brakes rotors, calipers/pads will last you three times as long under the same heat/braking. There have been stats/tests done.
So, my recommendation would be to get a good, solid rotor/caliper set and don't cheap out.
Most of the breaking/stopping power is transferred onto the fronts when you stomp on the pedal.
One more thing. Wheel bearings.
If you have the rotors off already (hub included) then you may as well replace the bearings/seals.
Why ? Look at the pictures. That grease is not supposed to be black. Wheel bearings are maintenance items on vehicles.
Once you have the rotor assembly off, the cost of the wheel bearings and the minimal time it takes to replace them is a lot less than having to replace them after the fact.
More so on vehicles like Delica's that transfer a majority of the braking weight to the front when applied.
There are a number of symptoms when the bearings go as well.
Clicking sounds, grinding sounds both driving straight and/or turning as well as vibrations going up through the axle/frame.
My 2 cents and this comes from a long list of certified mechanic's as well.
There is no way around saving money on brakes. Suck it up and pay for good brakes.
Just passing on useful information.
You can do them yourself if you have some basic mechanical knowledge and the right tools. If you have the wrong tools, it can take you 2-3 hours a side instead of 40 mins per side with the right tools and know-how.
I can't stress enough about the front brakes on the Delica's.
I haven't even touched the rears in this post but those should be checked and machine and/or replaced as well.
Hope this helps.
Jesse
ps. Don't mean to be a downer and you realize the $60 brake pad job just may cost you $800 in rotors/calipers/bearings/pads.. but ya never know.
Without brakes, what good is a Delica running down the road ? I've seen enough brakes fires/rotors shattering, calipers seizing while in a moving vehicle to be very straight forward and to the point when someone brings up the topic.
Good luck. Hopefully you just need a set of pads.
