Another reason to not use aftermarket brake pads?

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today I changed front pads on our 94 Accord, removing the old (Wagner) pads I realized that the metal wear indicator on the drivers side had broken off thus no longer being useful to make noise and tell me they needed changing.

The only way I knew was that the tire shop saw a thin pad when changing tires.

I put OEM pads on today, wear indicators are WAY more robust.

The old pad was really not far from going metal to metal....a scored and prob ruined disc would not have been a happy day for me, esp with a captive disc set up and no air ratchet at home!!

dunno about you guys but i dont have time for easily avoided stuff like that!?
 
I don't count on the wear indicator. It's always best to inspect the pads every time the tires are rotated. As far as non-OEM... I've only used OEM 1 time in 100+ brake jobs. Certainly there are pads that are not as good as OEM, but there are also pads that are better. As far as Honda... I love Honda but even some of their OEM pads can be problematic. (mostly brake squeel)
 
nah, just another 1up for regularly scheduled tire rotations
smile.gif
 
How about regular inspections. Some of us don't need to rotate, and a few of us aren't supposed to!

Besides, the pads you buy at the parts counter are rarely the pad that was truly factory-installed on your car.
 
when u say OEM, U mean stuff from dealer ?

I been using advance auto part, autozone, oreilly, never have problem. I never though about going thru dealer for pad.
 
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I would not count on the wear sensors. As others have said have them checked at tire rotation time.

One really needs to check both sides, and inner and outer pads. You can always have a sticky caliper, sticking float pins, etc.

But given the cheap cost of rotors today and the fact that in many case they get changed with the pads, gouging the rotor with a worn out pad is not all that bad as far as the repair bill goes. Obviously it IS a safety issue.
 
Yes, when I say OEM, I mean from Honda, I got them at discount, my experience is that OEM, even though there may not be much in it, will fit and work better over time.

AS for checking them at scheduled rotations, you guys here in the states are way more anal about doing this, coming from England, I had never heard of regular tire rotations to this extent....its a good idea but still, in my mindset, im kinda like....err, why bother, even though i do now know the benefits.

I recognize quality when I see it, I took these pads out of the box and [censored] they look good, no nasty sharp edges, notches where they slide, very nicely painted, finished...just good old fashioned quality.

also, my take on it is well, if the wear indicator is there, it should do its job and not disintegrate especially since on this car, the rotors are captive and for me, at home, not so easy to change if damaged. Rotors may be cheap but again, I have not had good success in the past with cheaper front rotors. why should a wear indicator not do its job and ruin an otherwise good rotor.

I agree, its not a BIG deal and is the exception, i just like things to work as designed.

its good to discuss...i always like to get the opinions and experience of others.
 
I often wonder why dealers don't make their parts and service more user friendly. In other words, if they competed price wise with the parts stores and independent garages, they would have much more traffic into their facility, generating more profit?

Maybe their overhead is just too high to compete? I would buy more OEM parts if they were not 3 times more expensive.

You are correct in the general concept, stro_cruser. Sometimes dealer parts just work better. Sharing our experiences here helps determine which parts those are.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
I often wonder why dealers don't make their parts and service more user friendly. In other words, if they competed price wise with the parts stores and independent garages, they would have much more traffic into their facility, generating more profit?

Maybe their overhead is just too high to compete? I would buy more OEM parts if they were not 3 times more expensive.

You are correct in the general concept, stro_cruser. Sometimes dealer parts just work better. Sharing our experiences here helps determine which parts those are.


Actually, I find Ford is often cheaper than many of the parts stores.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
I often wonder why dealers don't make their parts and service more user friendly. In other words, if they competed price wise with the parts stores and independent garages, they would have much more traffic into their facility, generating more profit?

Maybe their overhead is just too high to compete? I would buy more OEM parts if they were not 3 times more expensive.

You are correct in the general concept, stro_cruser. Sometimes dealer parts just work better. Sharing our experiences here helps determine which parts those are.

About 6 months ago, a customer saved money with a OEM Honda part.
2005 Honda Pilot: RR power window was stuck, and it needed a new regulator assembly. The service writer ignored me and ordered a Cardone rebuilt motor for $95. I showed the writer that the cable was frayed, and he should have listened to me the first time, and ordered a whole new assembly.

The whole unit from Honda was $88, just a generic rebuilt motor was $95
 
How funny.

We bought our PT Cruiser GT with just 4000 miles on it. I'm fairly certain CarMax did not change 4000 mile old pads (wife's choice...she likes the way they do business and they really did give us more than I ever expected on the Eclipse)

The "squealer" wear indicators on both front brakes were smashed flat and would have never contacted the rotors.

They were real thin at 68,000 miles. On the verge of being metal to metal when I just happened to look in on the caliper.

Besides, who's to say that these OE pads that you praise aren't made by Bendix, Wagner, Morse, Raybestos, etc... and just packaged differently. That OEM box sure does cost a lot for the same part.
 
Quote:
94 Accord, removing the old (Wagner) pads I realized that the metal wear indicator on the drivers side had broken off
My Honda Odyssey's original-from-the-factory new brake pads had wear indicators that should scrape when the pads were worn. But they did not make a sound when the fronts wore out to thinner than factory wear out thickness. Can't count on wear indicators, even on a Honda. No, never touched the wear indicators until the pads wore out. Have to check the brakes the old fashioned way. Remove the wheel and look.
 
Originally Posted By: Spazdog


Besides, who's to say that these OE pads that you praise aren't made by Bendix, Wagner, Morse, Raybestos, etc... and just packaged differently. That OEM box sure does cost a lot for the same part.



OEM Honda pads are made by Akebono, Nissin, or Sumitomo, as with many Japanese cars.
 
there are more reasons to use aftermarket than oem

1) cheaper
2) oem is usually semi metallic-dusty and louder
3) ceramic pads are easily accessible
 
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