Best brake pads/rotors for 2017 Elantra

[flinter]

Hi,

My 2017 Hyundai Elantra needs new front brake pads and rotors. What is the best quality, longest lasting pads and rotors I should buy?

Thank You
Michael in NJ

 

[Kalle.J]

Probably any brand name disc + ATE Ceramic.

 

[KrisZ]

That would likely be OEM.

 

[shortyb]

Wow, lots of choices. Depends on what you want, which sounds like long lasting since you didn't mention anything else. You could get great quality rotors from most of the brand names like Centric, Bosch, Raybestos etc that will last quite a while. Pricier offerings don't necessarily equate to better quality. Pads run the gamut, but generally ceramic blends are gentler on rotors, quieter, and don't produce a lot of dust. They can last a long time too depending on use. Semi-metallics generally produce better stopping performance, but can be noisier and harder on rotors. FWIW, I did Centric plain rotors and Akebono Pro-ACT Ceramics on my then father in law's 2005 Elantra with excellent results all around. They lasted over 100K when the car was given to next door neighbor.

 

[CharBaby]

Are you replacing the original pads & rotors?
If so, how many miles are on the OE?…and go by that!
If you want to go the same distance as you have experienced, definitely stay with OE.
OR… get a combination of Akebono & Brembo

 

[JustN89]

The OEM brakes are good. I replaced the OEM brakes with Raybestos Element3 pads and R-line rotors. I hated the pads. They worked fine, but had noise issues with them. I ended up swapping to Powerstop pads and rotors and they've been good.

 

[flinter]

Are you replacing the original pads & rotors?
If so, how many miles are on the OE?…and go by that!
If you want to go the same distance as you have experienced, definitely stay with OE.
OR… get a combination of Akebono & Brembo

Not replacing original pads and rotors. My Elantra has 90,000 miles. The OE was replaced at 47,000 with Wagner pads and rotors. Now at 90,000, I am being told fronts are "very low", so that means I got around 43,000 miles out of the Wagners.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Rock Auto actually has OE Hyundai pads for your 2017 Elantra. Other good options include Akebono, Advics, and Pagid Silver. If they don't have to come from Rock Auto, then EBC Ultimax2/Blackstuff pads are good too.

Pair them with Powerstop Geomet coated rotors.

 

[GRUMPYDUDE2]

My vote is Centric plain rotors and Akebono Pro-ACT Ceramics

 

[slacktide_bitog]

My vote is Centric plain rotors and Akebono Pro-ACT Ceramics

Unfortunately, Centric cheapened the coating as shown in this thread

Where the OP is in NJ, or anywhere that rust is a problem, coated rotors are a MUST, and the inside hat must be coated too! Otherwise, they will rust in only a few hours, and they will be impossible to remove the next time.

The only rotors worth considering are Powerstop Geomet coated (or any other Geomet coated rotors), and the Wagner E-coated rotors (the kind of coating Centric used to have before they cheapened it)

Not replacing original pads and rotors. My Elantra has 90,000 miles. The OE was replaced at 47,000 with Wagner pads and rotors. Now at 90,000, I am being told fronts are "very low", so that means I got around 43,000 miles out of the Wagners.

I hope you used the coated Wagner rotors. The E-coating does make it easy to remove. Otherwise, you will need the hammer

 

[Luftmasse]

Not a sponsor...

Powerstop

 

[shortyb]

Didn't know Centric had done that, ones I used were like the top pic. Fully coated except for swept area. Have only purchased rotors for Euro cars lately, and all have been fully coated (zinc, Geomet, etc.) including vane case and swept areas which indicates they are fully dipped. Only E-coated ones I've ever purchased were Centrics and all were fully coated and swept areas machined clean. Shame they've "cheaped" out on the corrosion protection, but still great rotors for the price.

 

[flinter]

Another question....

My 2017 Elantra has drum rear brakes. Do keeping the rear drums in adjustment help increase the life of the front pads and rotors? The rears were out of adjustment and I just had them adjusted and cleaned and the brake pedal feel is MUCH firmer.

 

[flinter]

Unfortunately, Centric cheapened the coating as shown in this thread

Where the OP is in NJ, or anywhere that rust is a problem, coated rotors are a MUST, and the inside hat must be coated too! Otherwise, they will rust in only a few hours, and they will be impossible to remove the next time.

The only rotors worth considering are Powerstop Geomet coated (or any other Geomet coated rotors), and the Wagner E-coated rotors (the kind of coating Centric used to have before they cheapened it)



I hope you used the coated Wagner rotors. The E-coating does make it easy to remove. Otherwise, you will need the hammer

Yes, they are the coated Wagner rotors I have.

 

[VersatileGuy]

Advics is apparently the OEM manufacturer of the rotors, says Rockauto.

If they are, you're probably downgrading going elsewhere. Have you taken measurements checking for warpage or runout?
The only exception I'm comfortable recommending aftermarket rotors is this

https://www.amazon.com/EBC-Brakes-RK7630-Ultimax-Style/dp/B01A1AN834

Performance-wise, you'd look into EBC or Hawk pads.
OEM if you're satisfied with the current pads.
Autozone Gold or Elite if you want a generous second pair later on, no questions asked.

Rust prevention can take many forms. Eric O of South Main Auto uses Fluid Film after cleaning up the hub. I myself would consider marine grease or a xanthan gum paste with milk of magnesia.

 

[Donald]

Akebono ceramic.

Wagner makes good pads.

I like Wagner e-coated rotors. You are in the rust belt in NJ and probably want coated rotors.

Spend money to get "best" pads but only "better" rotors. You don't need the "best" rotors.

Quality pads should be machined properly. No need to file around the ears. Bare metal where you filed will rust. It's not all about the pad. It's pad material and overall machining that makes a quality brake pad.

 

[Donald]

Advics is apparently the OEM manufacturer of the rotors, says Rockauto.

If they are, you're probably downgrading going elsewhere. Have you taken measurements checking for warpage or runout?
The only exception I'm comfortable recommending aftermarket rotors is this

https://www.amazon.com/EBC-Brakes-RK7630-Ultimax-Style/dp/B01A1AN834

Performance-wise, you'd look into EBC or Hawk pads.
OEM if you're satisfied with the current pads.
Autozone Gold or Elite if you want a generous second pair later on, no questions asked.

Rust prevention can take many forms. Eric O of South Main Auto uses Fluid Film after cleaning up the hub. I myself would consider marine grease or a xanthan gum paste with milk of magnesia.

Muscle grease on the hub. I think it was on South Main Auto. Red spray.

 

[flinter]

Akebono ceramic.

Wagner makes good pads.

I like Wagner e-coated rotors. You are in the rust belt in NJ and probably want coated rotors.

Spend money to get "best" pads but only "better" rotors. You don't need the "best" rotors.

Quality pads should be machined properly. No need to file around the ears. Bare metal where you filed will rust. It's not all about the pad. It's pad material and overall machining that makes a quality brake pad.

My dealer wants $600 for new pads and rotors! That is outrageous!

 

[flinter]

My dealer wants $600 for new pads and rotors! That is outrageous! 3 years ago I paid $320 OTD, for wagner pads and coated rotors from a well respected auto repair shop near me. I am at 43,000 miles and told from another shop I use for maintenance that front brakes are "very low". I am going to the shop that installed them and ask their opinion.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Didn't know Centric had done that, ones I used were like the top pic. Fully coated except for swept area. Have only purchased rotors for Euro cars lately, and all have been fully coated (zinc, Geomet, etc.) including vane case and swept areas which indicates they are fully dipped. Only E-coated ones I've ever purchased were Centrics and all were fully coated and swept areas machined clean. Shame they've "cheaped" out on the corrosion protection, but still great rotors for the price.

Wagner still uses the E-coating everywhere except the swept area, so if you still prefer the E-coating, Wagner is the one to get. They're also basically the same price as Centric but much better.

I too have switched over to Geomet coated rotors. Powerstop makes them for almost every car, Euro or not, so if you ever need Geomet rotors for a non-Euro car, there's Powerstop

Yes, they are the coated Wagner rotors I have.

Those are good! Are you doing the work yourself this time, or will you be using a shop again?

If you do it yourself, take pictures of the Wagner rotors after you take them off! See how well they held up. And also, let us know if they slide off easily or if they need the hammer