Hey all
Just wondering what is the difference between different pads and rotors?
Looking at rock auto they both range from approx $25 to 75 for pads and $20 to $100+ for rotors for most cars. So do the more expensive last for more kms? Any advantage of purchasing the more expensive ones?
Lots of Indy mechanics use Wagner which are usually on less expensive side than other big brands and they perform okay for most ppl.
I am not racing or tracking, just need something reliable and something that lasts longtime?
What’s the best bang for buck? I know akebono get lots of love on this forum but if something one third of akebonos price will do the same thing then why waste money?
Thanks!
Depends what you mean by cheapo. I am sure (haven't even looked) that there are front pads on ebay for $8!! I consider any warranty on any parts online to be only that it will work when you get it and THAT'S IT.
I fully figure that even those with 90 day, 1 yr or 3 yr will be out of business or unable to be found or will simply blow you off and you won't get any satisfaction if/when you need a warranty replacement.
As mentioned, I have been using the standard lifetime warranty pads from all the local chain stores for decades with ZERO complaints.
Back then there were only the cheapo and then the lifetime. Now, with the push to make more money and capitalize on people who want to buy same day and in person, they always have at least 2 in stock. The standard lifetime and then a "select" or "best" of same house brand and then often other brand names to give you options.
Does this mean the quality of the standard lifetime ones has gone down? Maybe. they have improved the painting of the backing plates (except for autozone who's duralast were a nice thidk red in the 90s) and the insulators or shims are better on most than they used to be.
Is the material any better/worse? I can't tell a difference.
I have run a fleet of limos and Town Cars and a a couple of party buses for the past 25 years. We average 4 years minimum from house brand pads and rotor replacement even on 22 passenger SUV limos.
I just did a set of front rotors and pads (O'Reilly BrakeBest) two weeks ago on a 175 inch stretch Town car that is 34 feet long and routinely transports 12 passengers.
The inner pads on that one were getting thin and the rotors had been on a few years and had some pitting. We bought it from a company that sold out and moved so don't know how long since they were done. The rotors might have been original but no way the pads were.
Pads are usually give and take.
Better stopping ability yields shorter lifespan and more wear on rotors.
Longer lifespan usually doesn't have the stopping 'bite'.
Sometimes longer life pads can be rougher on rotors than cheapo pads too.
There was just another test posted on an Expedition forum I believe that was a fairly higher performance car (it wasn't a Town Car LOL) where they put two internet sets on and did real world fast racing stop tests.
One set was just slotted "high performance" rotors and pads for $400.
Then the other was Wilwood pads, rotors, calipers and hoses too IIRC for $4000.
Did the 10x more expensive brakes test better? Yes BUT not 10x better!!
They BOTH outdid the factory brakes on the car.
So I will go with my most common answer in life: "It's all relative" Relative to what you want and what your goals or parameters are.
My first show car was a 67 GTO with perfect paint and body. When I got it I put Bendix shoes all the way around, new wheel cylinders, hardware kits with all the pretty painted springs etc.
Did it stop any better? Probably but not because of the Bendix brand.
But it made me FEEL better because it was my BABY! This was 1989.
I have a friend that put AC Delco parts on his GMs for decades and paid a lot for the parts too.
He has NONE of these cars now and I sold the GTO around 2001.
I don't care one bit about those shoes now.
But the older I get the more of a cheapskate (they call it frugal...I don't) I become.
I'm good with that because it is more expensive to live the older you get....BUT it sure beats the alternative.
Now if I could just get this stupid 04 Trailblazer 4.2 no random no start figured out. I might have to sell it too because I am too cheap to put any meaningful amount of money into it.
I have sold cars for less....