Choice in brake pads...AAP or Napa? (or something)

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daves87rs

daves87rs

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Okay, just looking for a solid set of pads for my "beater", aka the Cobalt. Pads are OE Ceramic that came with the car, which are finally wearing after 50k. She stills stops okay, just as well as she used to. I'm guessing there is still some meat left, but I know it is less than half now....

I'm on a very strict budget with this car, and looking for my best low cost bang for buck, as I'm upgrading the wife's car as well, and is where most of the "good stuff" is going to go.


Pads I've noticed: Napa Proformer (told their Ceramic brakes are made by Akebono) or Wearever Gold/Plat with coupon code.

Also looked Delco Advantage pads on Amazon, but they get mixed reviews...

I'm open to ideas too, so go ahead and bend my ear...it is just a base Cobalt which a pretty much grandpa drive anyways, as I am pretty easy on cars....
 
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
She stills stops okay, just as well as she used to. I'm guessing there is still some meat left, but I know it is less than half now....


Quote:
I'm on a very strict budget with this car...


Quote:
I'm open to ideas too, so go ahead and bend my ear...

Wait until the pads need to be replaced?
 
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
She stills stops okay, just as well as she used to. I'm guessing there is still some meat left, but I know it is less than half now....


Quote:
I'm on a very strict budget with this car...


Quote:
I'm open to ideas too, so go ahead and bend my ear...

Wait until the pads need to be replaced?



I was waiting for that one...
grin.gif


I might push it back a little, but I'm making a few longer trips (starting with a few days in Colombus next week), so I kinda don't want the pads close to the end on long trip somewhere...
smile.gif



Guessing I should have added that....sorry guys.
 
Buddy just called me to tell me to get centric pads.....heard of the name, but never used them....
 
There are two different pads, the ceramic ones listed as "Gold" at Auto Zone,
And
Semi Metallic, listed as just pads.

I use the semi metallic, they work good for me, and are cheap...
 
I have wagner thermoquiets on the taurus and really like them. The price with rebate is very good. They are paired with centric rotors which have been a better improvement over the old original rotors.

I've heard nothing but great things about the new napa adaptive one brake pads.
 
If you can wait for the Wagner rebate, you can also combine the rebate on the with RockAuto closeout prices. I ended up buying a set of pads for my Saturn and Aspire, before shipping price was $32.xx, $30 rebate.
 
Have you actually inspected the brake pads?

Pads on my gf's Cobalt lasted nearly 80,000 miles before replacement was needed. The original GM pads were very thick and held up well.
 
I'm liking Centrics 104/105 series pads.Good stopping,no noise,and smooth.Dont like how tight they seem to fit in the caliper brackets though,you would think that would hamper their sliding in/out.
 
I wouldnt worry about pad life at 50k unless you ride your brakes and drive only in city. As far as a good deal goes, AAP wearever platinums and 2 wearever rotors combo with a coupon code is definitely the best bang for buck imho. Ive had customers get nearly 100k out of brakes before. They are a lot more resilient these days than you think they are. Even Wearever Gold pads are excellent quality pads.

( Hint : Separate your order into two, pads on one and both rotors on the other, use two different coupon codes for double the savings ! )
 
What exactly is your budget?

I personally don't like to store brand pads, because you never really know what you'll be getting. While name brand pads can vary by application, you're more likely to know what type of characteristics they'll have if it's a pad others have used and commented on.

Just a few possible choices:
-Akebono ProACT
-Bendix CT-3
-The AC Delco pads that claim to be the OE formulation, if they're available for your car
-Centric 100 series - if they're available for your car. I don't know if they are
 
Have you checked the brakes yet? On my Jetta I R&R'd the rears, and magically life got better. Amazing what can happen when the pads can move, instead of being stuck in place.

Are you planning on reusing rotors? If not, why not go down to metal? Metal on metal, it'll stop. Not saying to do that for long, just that, if you're going toss rotors, well, why not?
 
Originally Posted By: drtyler
Have you actually inspected the brake pads?

Pads on my gf's Cobalt lasted nearly 80,000 miles before replacement was needed. The original GM pads were very thick and held up well.



Yes...Pads have over 50k on them now, and if I go to the end, I'm guessing if took great care I could squeak them over 60k or so.


PO, even though he did mostly freeway, was still hard on those brakes.....
 
Originally Posted By: supton
Have you checked the brakes yet? On my Jetta I R&R'd the rears, and magically life got better. Amazing what can happen when the pads can move, instead of being stuck in place.

Are you planning on reusing rotors? If not, why not go down to metal? Metal on metal, it'll stop. Not saying to do that for long, just that, if you're going toss rotors, well, why not?


Yep...I thought about taking everything apart and adjusting..


Believe it or not, the rotors are in pretty good shape, and may be machined....
 
Originally Posted By: stephen9666
What exactly is your budget?

I personally don't like to store brand pads, because you never really know what you'll be getting. While name brand pads can vary by application, you're more likely to know what type of characteristics they'll have if it's a pad others have used and commented on.

Just a few possible choices:
-Akebono ProACT
-Bendix CT-3
-The AC Delco pads that claim to be the OE formulation, if they're available for your car
-Centric 100 series - if they're available for your car. I don't know if they are



Wanted to keep the pads under 50 bucks, though there is a good chance to save the rotors, which should help keep everything in line....


OE is the Delco Durastops, though it seems easier to find the advantage ones....



Seems people like the thermoquiets...wonder if they will be better in ceramic form. Wife had the Semis on hers, and they were horrible....
 
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