They're not supposed to care. They just hand you a new set if you have the old. Every once in awhile an employee on a crusade thinks this is "wrong" but it's fine by company policy -- contact the regional mgr if necessary.
You don't need the box. They're supposed to keep the new box and put the old part in there. They tag it as warranty return.
When I had an 80 series landcruiser it would eat up the Duralast pads in 10k miles. Heavy truck with smallish brakes. I was at Autozone every few months. Never a problem exchanging them for free. Don't even need to be completely worn out.
I used to be the guy the always buy pads and rotors at the dealership. After experiencing many premature lateral run outs and/or break squeals after 30k miles, I've had enough of it. And yes - this is using the correct lube type and lubing at the correct locations. Measuring the lateral run out on the hub. IME, OE is not worth the cost, for me at least. I would rather buy warranty pads as it's a better option for me in the long run. Especially, when having a large fleet.
You aren’t the only one who has this opinion of akebono, there’s a few of us here who don’t like exactly what you describe.I really wonder how Akebono has such a polarizing effect. I had them on my Audi from the factory (still do in the rear) and think they are the biggest piece of crap ever made. Personally I don’t care about dusting. The have absolutely no feel to them when cold. Warmed up they seemed better, but still totally unpredictable. Have always ran ATEs in every VW I have owned since 1996 and My Porsche Cayman. Put ATEs on my Audi an instant 100% improvement and glorious brake dust like a proper German car should have. Even my wife noticed the improvement first time out. Yet others praise them.
So a follow up to this post. Still had a slight squeak on backing but from rear so pulled it apart while it's 88 in the shade before it gets hotter. Again installer error (me). My Accord is one of 2 vehicles I have now that have the screw in pistons on the rear. When I swapped everything I of course turned them all the way in so they would be easy to get over new pads. Well again taking up space on first 1-2 brake applications the piston spins also coming out. It moved enough that the the pin on inside pad was not at low point but touching part of the cross. I filed the piece back on piston and turned it 1/4 turn anyway and reinstalled. Pad nub has wear angle.
