Brake friction materials

[scdmarx]

I read an interesting (to me) article today in an automotive trade magazine about brake friction materials.
I know it's pretty basic stuff - not overly technical, but it brings it forward and puts it into words. And I'm fairly sure it would apply to motorcycle brakes as well.

If you're interested:
https://www.import-car.com/Article/78141/tech_feature_brake_pad_friction_material_formulas.aspx

 

[dan filipi]

Interesting read.

For bikes the selection is much less than cars so it's made easier not by choice.

The article made me think what should I do when the Suburban or my van needs brakes.
I want to be sure they perform at least as good as the originals, get them at the dealer?

 

[thewhiterhino]

I always avoid the discounters like AutoZone and Checker for important things like rotors and pads... :headscratch: :headscratch: :headscratch: :headscratch:

 

[thewhiterhino]

Thinking about it I always ask for Canadian rotors rather than Chinese because they don't seem to warp so easily.

 

[scdmarx]

Interesting read.
The article made me think what should I do when the Suburban or my van needs brakes.
I want to be sure they perform at least as good as the originals, get them at the dealer?

Maybe. I have worked at some dealers that will buy from the parts store across the street sometimes, depending on the situation. Still, the dealer is a good shot, but there are no 100% guarentees.
Where I work we are a NAPA Care Center, so our fist call is to NAPA. So far we have excellent results useing the Adaptive One line.

Now that you feel a little read up on the matter, do you feel any less confused? :smilie_happy:

I always avoid the discounters like AutoZone and Checker for important things like rotors and pads... :headscratch: :headscratch: :headscratch: :headscratch:

I have used Auto Zones "higher priced" line for my own cars. They are close by on the weekends. I don't know how many miles I get, but I have no complaints yet about performane or noise. I don't remember what they are called, but AZ usually will offer two or more options to cover more of the market. That's for pads.

Thinking about it I always ask for Canadian rotors rather than Chinese because they don't seem to warp so easily.

As for rotors.... it's a very tricky subject. You just don't know where they are coming from anymore. We have caught parts stores reboxing rotors, and still charging for the premium quality. This is practiced more than you'd care to think. Times are hard these days and everyone is trying to trim the fat and increase that bottom line. For someone who handles several rotors a week, the differences will be more noticable. The first red flag is when the new rotor feels much lighter than the worn out one you took off the car. I have actually sent rotors back and felt much more confident with the product from a different source. Many of them don't leave much room for machining in the future anymore.

 

[mcgovern61]

I bought rotors from Advanced Auto for our Ford Taurus. I was shocked that they were only $22 ea! Less than 2 years and about 8k miles, the rotors warped and the front end rattled everytime we hit the brakes. The drivers side rotor had a piece of hardened still (like an ingot) in the rotor that would not wear and tore up the pads. The rest of the rotor was wearing away real fast. They were made in China! (Only 1 year warranty)

Replaced them with NAPA $59 ea premium rotors and asked them were they were made. He said they should be USA. We opened the box together and he was shocked that they were stamped "Made In China". Put them on and now, less than 6 months later, they are warping and chattering! Ford wants $120 ea for the rotors (money that I don't have!)

 

[dan filipi]

Interesting what you guys are saying about the product quality unknown.
It pees me off to no end when paying top dollar from supposed "reputable" suppliers only to find out the company is selling the same crap the cheap supplier did.

That's one of the main reasons I hate Home Cheapo. The quality just isn't there.
Gotta watch them when buying stuff there too. They have low prices on some stuff, cheap junk, and other stuff they'll charge high retail evidently to make up for the low price on other products.

On rotors, years ago I had a second service van. Rotors were gone so I went to Napa, only place that could get these 1 ton rotors at the time. Paid top dollar for "matching" rotors and pads, pad and rotor material were suppose to be compatible. Got barely 10k miles from the pads before they were down to metal.
Apparently the pads had been grinding the rotors away past the minimum even before they hit metal so had to be replaced and since it was a commercial vehicle Napa told me no warranty!

I'm really very disgusted with suppliers and products these days.
It seems like everyone is hurting so bad and trying to cut their bottom line costs to the point of screw the consumer. It really is sad how the customer gets treated.
That is why I deal almost exclusively on referral when I buy anything anymore, members here included.

 

[scdmarx]

We need to be careful about making blanket statements out of frustrating experiences. Auto parts, and motorcycle parts as well I'm sure is a business. They are entitled to make a profit. The business is as good as the owner, the management, the laborers. And they don't all have the same business plan/model/format/ethics. The only thing you can do is research, go by referrals, find somebody knowledgable about their own product, establish a relationship with someone you feel good about trusting. Sometimes that will require some trial and error.

I myself am guilty of banket statements and I just wanted to clear my conscience about this. After all, so often I am the "ripoff mechanic who has to fix cars because he dropped out of high school".

arty: :smilie_happy:

 

[dan filipi]

Point well taken Ron.

I should say that I find some vendors seem to have started paying more attention to the end user trying to satisfy them. The way I see it they better to stay in business!

 

[scdmarx]

We opened the box together and he was shocked that they were stamped "Made In China".

Ford wants $120 ea for the rotors (money that I don't have!)

Sad thing is, they might still be made in China. But...They could also be made in China to higher specs. As more and more things are manufactured off shore these days, the words "Made in China" is gaining less and less impotance.