Hello

Anyone out there know if there is any difference in quality in OEM brake rotors/pads and aftermarket? Are there any aftermarket rotor brands out there that you would avoid because of poor quality or performance?

Another thought? Has anyone put ceramic pads on regular rotors? I've learned that WisWind has put cer pads on with slotted rotors with good sucess. Will cer pads over heat regular rotors? I've also learned that AutoZone has cer pads for about 40.00. Anyone use these?

Thanks for your input! :smile:

Regards

Dan

1) OE vs other:

Having been in the vehicle repair business for 20+ years, I can tell you that there IS a quality difference between OE and the "cheap" aftermarket brake (and most other) parts.

Unless I can save AT LEAST 25% on a QUALITY aftermarket part, I will ONLY get OE. Yes, it matters that much (IMO).

Which aftermarket BRAKE rotors/drums would I use?
NAPA United (only), Wagner, Brembo, Meritor, AC Delco, WEBB, Bendix. NONE others, at any price.

2) Ceramic pads:
They stop very well, are VERY fade resistant, BUT, and it is a BIG but, they EAT rotors. I would never buy them.

A little clue on disc brakes. ANY decent new brake pads with GOOD new rotors will last longer and stop better than ANYTHING you do with used (even turned) rotors.

NEVER EVER reduce a rotor's surface area or mass by drilling holes, machining grooves or any other procedure that REMOVES MATERIAL from it. A rotor's job is to absorb heat, the less it weighs, the less heat it will absorb before fading or warping. That has always been true, and always will be.

1) OE vs other:

Having been in the vehicle repair business for 20+ years, I can tell you that there IS a quality difference between OE and the "cheap" aftermarket brake (and most other) parts.

Unless I can save AT LEAST 25% on a QUALITY aftermarket part, I will ONLY get OE. Yes, it matters that much (IMO).

Which aftermarket BRAKE rotors/drums would I use?
NAPA United (only), Wagner, Brembo, Meritor, AC Delco, WEBB, Bendix. NONE others, at any price.

2) Ceramic pads:
They stop very well, are VERY fade resistant, BUT, and it is a BIG but, they EAT rotors. I would never buy them.

A little clue on disc brakes. ANY decent new brake pads with GOOD new rotors will last longer and stop better than ANYTHING you do with used (even turned) rotors.

NEVER EVER reduce a rotor's surface area or mass by drilling holes, machining grooves or any other procedure that REMOVES MATERIAL from it. A rotor's job is to absorb heat, the less it weighs, the less heat it will absorb before fading or warping. That has always been true, and always will be.

ModTech

Thank you very much for your reply.

I wasn't saying that I was going to machine the rotors. Aren't there rotors that are manufactured with slots in them?

I will look for the AM brands you mentioned.

What about calipers? Are there diffenrent qualities too?

Regards

Dan

I used Wagners. They cost me about $130 each Canadian but I believe they are as good as the factorys.


Modmech makes a very good point aboput the rotors basically being heat sinks. I think this is the reaosn that machining them is a waste of time as you will end up with pulsations soon after.