Even Wagner Thermoquiets China Made Now

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Originally Posted By: doitmyself

Are Bendix shoes and pads made in China too?


I don't know about all Bendix brakes, but the CT-3s I bought recently were made in Canada.

I went through the same thing as you trying to avoid Chinese parts when I did my brakes. I ended up using Chinese rotors (Raybestos), because there were really no other options unless I wanted to pay 3x as much.

If you're interested in a specific product, email the company and ask where it's made. Every company I've emailed has told me.


Of the companies you've contacted, how many, if any, make parts in the US?

 

[ffracer]

I use Brembo rotors made in Italy for my Ranger and others.

Great rotors and seem to like Performance Friction pads.

Cheep from Tire Rack.com.

Brembo makes brake components for Formula 1 cars and exotic sports cars. Best rotors I have used for OEM replacements.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Originally Posted By: doitmyself

Are Bendix shoes and pads made in China too?


I don't know about all Bendix brakes, but the CT-3s I bought recently were made in Canada.

I went through the same thing as you trying to avoid Chinese parts when I did my brakes. I ended up using Chinese rotors (Raybestos), because there were really no other options unless I wanted to pay 3x as much.

If you're interested in a specific product, email the company and ask where it's made. Every company I've emailed has told me.


Of the companies you've contacted, how many, if any, make parts in the US?


I didn't contact too many, because I had my pad and rotor choices narrowed down to a few.

Bendix CT-3 and Akebono ProAct for pads. Akebono told me the ProActs are made in Kentucky.

As far as rotors, I contacted Raybestos and Centric. Both said their rotors were made in China, but Centric said theirs were "machined in the USA."

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: bradepb
Not that im happy about it but we have been using Raybestos/china rotors and drums for the last few years in our 55 vehicle fleet with no problems . Latley though we have been using "Gren" brand for our 1 ton chassis from our Federated supplier and they are excellent Qaulity and price, also chinese.


I'm sure all the out of work Americans thank you.

 

[moklock]

+1 on the Akebono pads.

I got turned on to them working as a Saturn parts guy, the OEM grade pads for the cars that were built in TN were sourced from them. Great quality and like others said made in USA.

GM dealers can also opt to sell less expensive ACDelco Durastop parts, they are Raybestos and the rotors at least are from China.

 

[01rangerxl]

I just bought Wagner ThermoQuiets for the Ranger about a month ago. They were clearly marked as made in the USA. Part # MX652. I'm guessing this is either a very recent change, or they make some part #s here and some are outsourced.

 

[artificialist]

Don't think that Wagner is the only company doing this.

I am frequently given NAPA brand brake pads to install, and it seems that 5 years ago they had about 10% made in China and now 70% of their brake pads are made in China.

Also, the only time I have seen rotors not made in China is when there is an uncommon European car, or one specific kind of Chevy truck. In those situations, I only see rotors made in countries with a high standard of living.

One time I did install MOPAR brand rotors that were USA made on a Chrysler T&C van. The only reason they were selected was because no auto part stores had that kind of rotor at the time. I never got to see how much those rotors cost, or how high in quality they were.

 

[Old Mustang Guy]

The owner of a brake shop told me that there were no foundaries in the U.S. producing brake rotors anymore. I can't confirm this but I wouldn't be surprised. He claimed that the rotors they used from China were generally of good quality. I'm sure they aren't as good as Brembos or some other high end brand.

 

[urchin]

It seems these companies are determined to eliminate all manufacturing in the US. All for the sake of a few more pennies in profit. Greed KILLS!

 

[Dave Hess]

Unfortunately lots of manufacturing in the USA is headed to other countries.

 

[Propflux01]

Originally Posted By: Old Mustang Guy
The owner of a brake shop told me that there were no foundaries in the U.S. producing brake rotors anymore. I can't confirm this but I wouldn't be surprised. He claimed that the rotors they used from China were generally of good quality. I'm sure they aren't as good as Brembos or some other high end brand.


I have heard this as well. Even most well-known brands are just Quality-inspected Chinese castings.

 

[Drew2000]

Originally Posted By: urchin
It seems these companies are determined to eliminate all manufacturing in the US. All for the sake of a few more pennies in profit. Greed KILLS!


A big chunk of the blame also rests squarely on the Federal Gov't regulation/taxes and the out of control EPA that makes manufacturing and turning a profit on lower tech stuff like this almost impossible.