Do you guys have any favourite brand of replacement brake disks and pads? I'm looking mainly for the high-value economical criterion, but also willing to hear about other factors that you like as well.
I'm getting the feeling that with my last brake job, I went too cheap, as these brakes are squealing when they're cold all of the time. Maybe I shouldn't worry about it, but it's disconcerting.
Yousuf Khan
Just buy semi-metallic or ceramic pads. I haven't had brake squeal in over a decade. You must have gotten pads made of cardboard. You can get some ceramic pads from eBay for under $25 and rotor and pad sets for under $55! What a deal!
So no real favourite brands, just look for ceramic or semi-metallic pads? I got my brakes done about a nearly a year ago, is it worth it for me to change the pads so soon? Or should I just wait and get both the pads and rotors changed at once?
Yousuf Khan
If it bothers you, change them. Mostly, I like to get cheap non-organic pads and stay away from stuff that looks like cardboard. If the pads come with extras like shims and springs, I'd opt for that set. If you had the brakes serviced not too long ago, I'd keep the rotors. You'll probably find that braking will require a little more pressure when the pads are cold.
I think the squeal problem has been solved, but not from changing the pads. I'll describe the solution later. But I'd like to know how many different types of pads are there besides semi-metallic or ceramic? The garage I went to said they only use ceramic, and they consider the semi-metallic pads to be the cheap bargain brand. Are there anything that are cheaper than either of these types?
Looks like the problem was due to some brake rotor backing plates that were too close to their rotors which might have caused the squealing. They just bent the backing plates back out a little, and it looks like it's solved!
Yousuf Khan
There are numerous types of brake material The cheapest are "organic" (read that as compressedorganic fibers with organic binders - ie- hard cardboard), semi metallic, full metallic, carbon metallic, ceramic, Aramid (kevlar) fiber, for starters.
Under each main type there are many different compositions, and many different qualities - in both bonded and (much more rare,) rivetted construction. One company's pads of a particular type can be much better or much worse than another's - both in breaking power, noise, and life.
GENERALLY speaking, a rivetted lining, either drum or disc, is quieter than a bonded lining of the same composition.
Then, to add to the mix, there are pads with integrated anti-noise backings, pads with compliant shims, pads with steel shims, pads with stainless steel shims, and pads with resiliant coated steel shims.
They type of shim can affect the amount of moise produced.
Then you can get semi chamfered and full chamfered pads. Full chamfered have NO square edges and are quieter right from installation than non-chamfered pads.
That's just the differences in pads that can affect noise.
Then the design of the caliper, caliper mounts, and pad frames also make a difference. single, dual and quad piston calipers all have an effect - and are they pin mounted, or "wedged", and are the sliding surfaces between the caliper or pad frames worn, or corroded, lubricated, or tight? Among other condition and design issues.
Then there is the rotor. Is it glazed, properly burnished (broken in) brand new, freshly turned, drilled, slotted, etc.
Proper breakin of the pads to the rotors affects brake life, stopping power, noise, and braking smoothness - and the proper breakin procedure is different for different pad compositions, which makes it even more difficult.
Clear as mud - right?????
Brembo is a good brand.
OK, I confess to having a favorite brand(s). I will point out though, that , in addition to Subaru OEM, there are plenty of other perfectly fine brands.
I like Centric - PosiQuiet Ceramic pads, and Centric rotors (when I need them)on the Outback.
On my WRX, I like StopTech Street Performance Pads. probably overkill though for the vast majority of my driving.
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