First bad "White Box" Brake Drum Experience

[doitmyself]

About 2 weeks ago I posted a thread, not asking which rear drums to buy, but just relating my frustration that ALL of my local stores stocked only "house brand/Chinese white box" rear drums. I also note that over the past 2 years or so, most (not all) here have accepted cheap white box rotors/drums as o.k., and almost recommend them over name brand ones.

Due to my work schedule, I had to let my "personal" mechanic do my Caravan rear brake job (with drums). We used Carquest parts because I USED to think that NAPA and Carquest generally had better parts than the other big box auto stores.

Well, for the next week we chased alternating thumping noises from one side to the other. We replaced one drum after finding a visible casting flaw that might have caused grabbing. Later we replaced the other side, not sure if it,too, had a casting flaw or was out of round. With 2 more new drums, the problem seems fixed.

I blame you guys for egging me on to buy the cheap ones.

Really though, I guess I just lucked out with some bad ones, but my frustration continues these days about determining which Chinese stuff is good or bad.

 

[FirstNissan]

Ive been frustrated a few times with so-called "house-brand" quality issues. Sometimes even the branded stuff has turend out to be junk, going back to redo a job is always a pain in the rear. Nowadays, I pay for middle-of-the-line parts and always check it at the store.

 

[stephen9666]

To the OP - What brand did you replace them with?

My Sonata has Raybestos rotors on the front and Advance's white box house brand on the rear. No problems with either so far.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
To the OP - What brand did you replace them with?


My "personal mechanic" is a pro mechanic at a Chrysler dealer that does work at home at a great discount. Because he ordered the CQ parts with his pro discount, he just got another pair at CQ, but requested "good ones".

Here's what is odd. My Car Quest store said they only handle one "premium" rotor/drum line (cheapest China parts in town).

The first drums had a very rough outer finish. The new set had a very smooth finish....at the same $32 each price, both CQ labeled, same part no., sealed boxes. Doesn't add up. The second set looked much better.

This, vs. this....regarding finish, not style:

I trust my guy. He uses OE parts for the critical stuff like timing belts/water pump. He was at a loss too.

 

[stephen9666]

My experience with carquest is limited, but the few times I've asked, they could get a lot of brands other than their house brand. I wonder if they just gave the mechanic a different brand?

 

[AdRock]

I quit trusting Car Quest several years ago. Instead of them and Napa, now I lump CQ in with the likes of Vato Zone and Advanced. Personally, I get all my important parts from a hookup at the dealer, performance aftermarket, or Full Service Auto Parts.

 

[mechtech2]

I like the rough finish on a brake drum [external]. Much better cooling and possible noise control.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I like the rough finish on a brake drum [external]. Much better cooling and possible noise control.


Thanks for ruining my day!

Makes sense, but who would have thought that the one that appears to be finished much better might perform worse?

Seems that I can't win no matter what. I can't even remember what the OE drums were, besides rusted.