Brake Pads - Wagner/Chain 'gold series'

[mjk1967]

Looking for some thoughts on front pads for a 2011 Avalon. Just casually looking at AAP's site, but what are your thoughts on Wagner Thermoquiet pads vs the retail chains 'gold' ceramic series pads.

One of the issues I've seen, when having pads intstalled, is that the hardware is never correct. How do you get around that?

Thank you.

 

[Greasymechtech]

I've never had a problem with quality pads/rotors and hardware. Use name brand parts!

I'd take a name brand over store brand any day.... especially with the capability of that 2gr... brakes are important.

I just put some new Akebono ASP's on a '11 Avalon and doing a Camry tomorrow with ASP pads with Bosch rotors.

I'd use Wagner OEX and Raybestos EHT too. And, Bosch has severe duty pads too.

No issue with the premium rotors like Raybestos streetperformance, Advics, or Wagner coated either.

Worry about pins/boots and hub cleaning.....need to be cleaned spotless, with new rubber, and quality silicone or PAG brake grease. Do not use generic petro conventional or conventionalsynth greases. For hardware, either reuse non-failed OE or buy from Carlson/Raybestos/dealer... pins boot kits caliper rebuild kit.... and a good bleed is a must.

https://www.crcindustries.com/products/silaramic-174-brake-system-grease-5-wt-oz-05361.html
https://www.permatex.com/products/l...licone-ceramic-extreme-brake-parts-lubricant/
https://www.super-lube.com/silicone-lubricating-brake-grease-with-syncolon-ptfe

 

[AandPDan]

I used the Thermoquiets in my Dakota. No issues installing and they wear well

 

[spk2000]

I tend to prefer Akebono for everyday general driving but fins the Wagner Thermoquiet to be slightly harder. Wagners are probably better if towing or extensive downhill braking. Can't go wrong with Wagner but the Akebono are definitely smoother and quieter.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Get Akebono or Advics pads

Between Thermoquiet and the house brand, I'd go with teh Thermoquiet. You never know who makes the house brand or what kind of quality they are

 

[KJSmith]

Wagner OEX if you can get them.

 

[Timmastertech]

We used to use thermoquiets almost exclusively. Then overnight no matter what we did we were getting noise complaints. We hopped around for a while trying different combinations and for the most part have settled on Carquest/Advance Platinum pads. The pads are quiet, wear well and have good quality hardware. We refer to wagner pads now as thermosqueals.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Akebono makes their ASP pads for your Avalon

 

[mccandish]

We used to use thermoquiets almost exclusively. Then overnight no matter what we did we were getting noise complaints. We hopped around for a while trying different combinations and for the most part have settled on Carquest/Advance Platinum pads. The pads are quiet, wear well and have good quality hardware. We refer to wagner pads now as thermosqueals.

Eric at South Main Auto has said the same thing about the TQs in one of his videos. I think he uses NAPA house brand now.

I've used the Thermo-Quiets several times (semi-metallic only), and installed them dry per instructions. After a while they would start to squeak but only every so often - quiet for two months, then squeak for a week. No rhyme or reason. Maybe if you lubed the back of the pads / contact points they would be okay? I've used the Raybestos Element3 on several cars with no issues at all except minor dusting.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Those pads will be fine. I’ve always been a Raybestos type of guy but Wagner and Akebono are good too. We have the Wearever Platinum pads on our Escape no noise complaints or hardware issues, we have used the Gold on our Camry multiple times no issues with them either. Currently we have the O’Reilly Brake Best Selects on the 2004 Camry on the front and the Wearever Platinum on the back haven’t had issues with either one. Then we went and got some Duralast Gold at Auto Zone to put on the front for next time and they seem to be made quality. I’ve got Raybestos on my truck no issues so far besides dust because they are semi metallic. We haven’t used the Napa pads because they are so expensive we usually can’t afford them but based on what I have heard is they are quality.

 

[mjk1967]

Appreciate the insight, folks.

So, it sounds like if you are using the chain's brand, use the Platinum level?

I will say, I had excellent results with the O'reillys Gold perhaps 8 or more years ago. I got 70k out of a set, on a 96 v6 Camry.... with mostly city miles. Then, I got a set more recently on a different car, and they were absolute garbage. I and my mechanic, have this feeling that the Ceramic pads were swapped in the box.. After working for O'reillys a bit a decade ago, I wouldn't be surprised....

 

[mjk1967]

Regarding Akebono, I am seeing the Pro-Act pads, not seeing ASP. What is the difference between these 2 ?

 

[Timmastertech]

Eric at South Main Auto has said the same thing about the TQs in one of his videos. I think he uses NAPA house brand now.

I've used the Thermo-Quiets several times (semi-metallic only), and installed them dry per instructions. After a while they would start to squeak but only every so often - quiet for two months, then squeak for a week. No rhyme or reason. Maybe if you lubed the back of the pads / contact points they would be okay? I've used the Raybestos Element3 on several cars with no issues at all except minor dusting.

Lubing the contact points didnt make a difference. We always lubed the pad slides/abutment clips. We started lubing the backing plates when we starting having noise issues but it didnt help

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Regarding Akebono, I am seeing the Pro-Act pads, not seeing ASP. What is the difference between these 2 ?

Go down to the red section that says "performance." The ASP line is supposed to be high performance line, but Akebono's pads are still ceramic and dust-free.

 

[Greasymechtech]

If your blood still flows:
https://akebonobrakes.com/performance

If you're a zombie:
https://akebonobrakes.com/pro-act

 

[mfewtrail]

We used to use thermoquiets almost exclusively. Then overnight no matter what we did we were getting noise complaints. We hopped around for a while trying different combinations and for the most part have settled on Carquest/Advance Platinum pads. The pads are quiet, wear well and have good quality hardware. We refer to wagner pads now as thermosqueals.

Same experience I've had with those on some vehicles.

Lubing the contact points didnt make a difference. We always lubed the pad slides/abutment clips. We started lubing the backing plates when we starting having noise issues but it didnt help

In my cases above, the chamfered area of the friction material on the pad would accumulate rust cast off of the rotor from overnight surface rusting. After a month, this would build up to a very light layer(on the pad) that would cause a high pitched squeal that occurred upon light brake pedal application.

 

[nwjones18]

I get Wagner thermoquiet's or OEX from either amazon or RA. sometimes you get lucky and they'll have some on the warehouse deals and they'll be even cheaper..

 

[GMBoy]

Raybestos EHT pads and shoes exclusively is ALL I use now.

 

[nthach]

Wagners are American or Mexican made. The parts stores almost always source pads from Roulunds(MAT Holdings). Those are Chinese or Indian made. I’ve had hit or miss experiences with Wagner, they seem to work fine on a friend’s truck but squealed on my old car.

Wagner Thermoquiets used to be the darling of this forum. From my observations here, there’s few complaints about Duralast/Wearever/BrakeBest Select - which are virtually the same pad. Not my first choice though.

 

[nthach]

We started lubing the backing plates when we starting having noise issues but it didnt help

I broke out the disc brake quiet when mine squealed. It did help. On TQs with the “integrally molded insulator”, once that’s cut into by the piston, expect noise.

on the rare ones with shims, I would still follow OEM recommendations for the backing plate to apply lube or not.