Brake Pad Brands

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I want to start off by saying I have always been an advocate for Autozones 'lifetime warranty' brake pads...

I have three vehicles (2 are mine, 1 is the other half's). See my signature for the vehicles. On my Envoy Ive always used Autozone pads, and replaced them every year, free under lifetime warranty. Ive only replaced the rotors once in 80k miles. The rotors still have little wear (eg. no ridge or grooves).

Our 2005 L300, I put Autozone pads and rotors on it, all 4 wheels. Flushed the brake fluid. Ever since, the brake performance sucks. Have to push the pedal very hard to get mediocre braking performance. Nothing like the originals that I replaced (OEM). (should've just left it alone)

My 2002 L200, I just replaced the rears with Bendix pads and a new set of rotors, through RockAuto. Remember - the Saturn L200 & L300 have the same exact braking system, on our two cars - 4 wheel disc. But the bendix pads REALLY seem to grab and stop that car on a dime!! Our L300 would never stop like my L200 w/the Bendix pads .. you can feel it in the brake pedal too, just feels better when you press the brake.

I will say that when its time to do the fronts (about 30% pad life left Im estimating), Im going with Bendix pads for the front too. Screw those Autozone pads!!

So what is your preference for brake pads? Has anybody else had good results with Bendix like I have?
 
Last edited:
Did you get OEM replacements from AP or did you get performance pads? I have never had an issue with AutoZone pads but, I always bought the same type of pad as the originals i.e. organic or ceramic or semi metallic.
 
Originally Posted By: Eddie
Did you get OEM replacements from AP or did you get performance pads? I have never had an issue with AutoZone pads but, I always bought the same type of pad as the originals i.e. organic or ceramic or semi metallic.


Ive always gotten the OEM replacement pads from Autozone, not Performance.

I will say that the Bendix that I bought from RockAuto (the cheapest Bendix they sold for the rear) are AMAZING. Of course, Im comparing this to the Autozone lifetime (read: Oe replacement) pads on our L300. The difference is very noticeable in stopping, and feel. I think Im now forever sold on the Bendix pads....lol.
 
I run Motorcraft brake pads when I can. The MCs always come with all new rattle clips, generally dust less than the OEM Ford pads, cost about the same as the mid-level aftermarket pads with my dealership "hook-up", and have good life and good pedal feel.

When I'm not working on a Ford or an autocross car, I usually go with Wagner Thermoquiet or Raybestos pads. I've had pretty good luck everytime I've used either one of those pads.

I've had bad experiences with the last two sets of Duralasts I've used ('95 T100, '08 CX9 - noise) and NAPA house brand pads ('99 Mustang - noise and EXCESSIVE dusting), so I will not give either another shot for a good while.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
What's wrong with getting the GM ACDelco pads?


If they are comparable in quality to Motorcraft pads, that's what I would try.
 
I run Hawk pads, once you bed them in and put a few hundred miles on them, they are great. They really work great with a bit of heat in them.
 
I'm on my second set of AZ's Duralast Gold Cmax ceramic pads on the Buick. That's their most expensive and highest-performing AZ-brand pad. I have no complaints about them. They stop on a dime, are silent, and don't dust that much.

The reason I replaced them with 30k miles on them was to match a new pair of very pricey rotors. I didn't want my pricey new rotors seeing 30k mile pads. The local AZ didn't kick at warrantying the replacement. They easily could have made 60-70k miles.
 
The last 4 sets of pads I've bought have been from China, Canada (Beck-Arnley), India (Volvo) and USA (Raybestos). But I can't really tell quality difference yet.
 
I have been a long time user of raybestos brake pads i currently have raybestos super stop pads front and rear on both of my chevy luminas 1991 lumina 3.1 coupe and 1992 euro 3.4 sedan and they work great.
I have also used the following brands with exellent results Duralast and albany from autozone,Wearever from advance auto parts,Bendix,Wagner and performance friction carbon metallic.
 
I used to always use the autozone brake pads for years, especially when i worked for them in college and got a 20% discount. They are not quiet lots of dust and just an average pad. Recently i have been using wagner thermoquiets and just love them. No dust, stop great and no stupid plastic backing plates. If you buy pads that have that clip on or glued backing plate you gotta ask yourself what kind of quality are these anyways.
 
If you have to push the pedal "very hard" to get mediocre brake performance, I think they are not seated in yet, or more likely the installation/bleed was sub standard.

I have used crud pads to the most expensive on all sorts of cars. None were anywhere near as horrible as yours.
 
Originally Posted By: [email protected]
{snipped}
Our 2005 L300, I put Autozone pads and rotors on it, all 4 wheels. Flushed the brake fluid. Ever since, the brake performance sucks. Have to push the pedal very hard to get mediocre braking performance. Nothing like the originals that I replaced (OEM). (should've just left it alone)

My 2002 L200, I just replaced the rears with Bendix pads and a new set of rotors, through RockAuto. Remember - the Saturn L200 & L300 have the same exact braking system, on our two cars - 4 wheel disc. But the bendix pads REALLY seem to grab and stop that car on a dime!! Our L300 would never stop like my L200 w/the Bendix pads .. you can feel it in the brake pedal too, just feels better when you press the brake.
{snipped}


In addition to MechTech2's thoughts, you're attributing the differece to the rear pads on the L200? Vehicles probably get 70% or more of their stopping force from the fronts so it's very doubtful the Bendix are responsible for the differences you're feeling, IMO.

-Brent
 
I used Bendix pads on my 6.

I've had good performance on other cars with Bendix. The pedal effort with the Bendix pads on my Mazda6 was good but they would "groan" as you came to a stop.

Also, the Bendix pads came with a certificate that you send in to register for a replacement set when your's wears out. Bendix hasn't sent me anything. I sent the original receipt (made a copy for myself). I followed all the directions on the certificate. I haven't received anything in over a year now. Nice job Honeywell... way to earn my loyalty.

The rotors were surfaced when I replaced them and I put a non-directional cut on them. so the rotors weren't contaminated. The brakes just always had that groan at low speed.

I got a set of clearance sale Axxis Metal Masters (with Beck Arnley part #). $12 for the fronts. $9 for the rears. I just pad slapped them. Didn't re-resurface. Just installed the pads.

The pedal effort is better and more linear now and the groan is gone. I can't believe how good these pads are. I'll pay full price for them. They are that good. Must not be inspired by the 51% control that Honeywell has over them.
 
Brake pads are like ice cream. Pick from a million flavors!

I've had both good and mediocre results from many different brands across several platforms. Seems to be hard to predict which one is always going to be good.

We're currently NAPA adaptive fans simply because they seem to work well on every car I've put them on!
 
I've always had good luck going with whatever is most expensive from AZ's house brand Duramax pads. They don't offer ceramic for a lot of drum applications but that's kinda pointless on a DD anyway. The price is always reasonable and the lifetime warranty is easily acted on, although I've never needed to.

Honestly, the part I have trouble finding is good rotors and drums. Good pads and shoes are easily found.
 
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