What brakes do you guys use?

[The Critic]

This was my exact experience. It was so annoying.

In recent years, I found that most aftermarket pads will exhibit this behavior.

OE pads seem to be the only one that do not have this issue.

 

[wavinwayne]

In recent years, I found that most aftermarket pads will exhibit this behavior.

OE pads seem to be the only one that do not have this issue.

To what do you attribute this?

 

[edyvw]

Anything and everything ATE.

On track, depends which pads are on clearance.

 

[Cujet]

I run a small mobile mechanic business and I’m just wondering what brakes are used here. I mainly use Raybestos RLine and their Element3 line. Ive used some store brands and centric rotors aswell. On rock auto there is alot of options for let’s say a 2016 Town and Country. I see people mention Wagner, Bosch, and Dynamic Friction a lot. What brakes do you guys recommend that have little to no noise and good stopping power for a 2016 Town and Country.

I discovered Wagner TQ Semi-Metallic pads are G-G rated and downright epic good in the stopping power department. Just installed another set today!

After all is said and done, it is very hard to find great pads today, most are imported junk with less than perfect qualities. These (the TQ Semi Met) are truly superb. Fast bite, quick release, no noise, and full-on hard core braking power for enthusiast drivers like me.

 

[The Critic]

To what do you attribute this?

Vehicle manufacturers spend a lot of R&D money to address brake noise — it’s a major issue for customer satisfaction.

They often use different friction formulas (from the same vendor) to solve a noise problem. OE brake hardware is often more substantial as well.

Rotor metallurgy sometimes impacts noise as well — and we all know what aftermarket rotors are.

 

[MattLawz]

Just a few friendly suggestions from a Shop owner and mechanic:

1. Lose the Raybestos Element 3's - they used to be my go to pads - loved them but now they are awful. Poor fitment and worst yet poor pad material. I have already seen failures on several cars I did in the past that I good will warrantied they were so bad - my personal vehicles as well experienced cracking pads, pad material coming loose, glazing and noise. I actually would not risk any Raybestos brake parts at this point. There have been several others discuss the lack of quality as well here on BITOG.

2. Get yourself a commercial account at Autozone and go ProVantage(or your choice but my opinion and experience proved AZ to be the best) and use their GOLD series brake parts. They run specials all the time where you can increase your profits. The run brake specials were you get 2 Gold rotors and Gold pads for $149 or less. That means you can make good money on the mark up. The best reason is the warranty they provide - any issues and they pay your labor.

3, Stop all mail order parts unless absolutely necessary. I mean this 100%. When you fix a car and have to warranty a part - you have to wait and go thru hassles on line and the customer is never happy about waiting. You get your parts local from AZ or where ever and you can replace that part same day and retain a customer.

With that all being said - I have been using AZ gold series pads and rotors and have been extremely happy and have zero comebacks....but still get haunted from the element 3's I did way before switching to AZ brakes in Jan of last year.

I've used Element3s on over 50 cars easily and never had your issues, but it's good to know.

 

[The Critic]

I've used Element3s on over 50 cars easily and never had your issues, but it's good to know.

The formulations seem to change quite often now.

But also consider the target audience of folks who using mobile mechanics...

 

[GMBoy]

I've used Element3s on over 50 cars easily and never had your issues, but it's good to know.

Oh yes I have done that many+ over the past few years. These issues didn't pop up until the last year/two. I was very dissapointed because I really did like the pads. I just keep seeing jobs come back with issues. Just be aware.

 

[JeffKeryk]

^^ This.
The Element 3 pads and rotors proved to be a great combo at a great price. Unfortunately, in my experience that's changed.

 

[dubber09]

I too agree on EHT / Element3 line.

 

[PandaBear]

Depends on who owns the car. For people I help out who doesn't know cars, something like Akebono ProAct or Wagner ThermoQuiet or OEM depending on how nit picking and hard to deal with they are.

For my own car, if hybrid I'll likely get OEM and not worry about it for 90k. For my beater, whatever the cheapest close out deal I can get locally or online.

 

[meep]

I discovered Wagner TQ Semi-Metallic pads are G-G rated and downright epic good in the stopping power department. Just installed another set today!

After all is said and done, it is very hard to find great pads today, most are imported junk with less than perfect qualities. These (the TQ Semi Met) are truly superb. Fast bite, quick release, no noise, and full-on hard core braking power for enthusiast drivers like me.

INTERESTING. 10 years ago, they seemed identical in every way to akebono ACT, which included something more on the level off FF or even FE braking.

 

[meep]

Thanks, no squeeling with mine, on all four corners. I soft have a soft thump on left hand turns.

Are they newer or older? I have an older set on my f150, and those pads are fabulous and fully silent. The Lexus also had an older set that would squawk once per day and stay quiet after.

 

[spasm3]

Are they newer or older? I have an older set on my f150, and those pads are fabulous and fully silent. The Lexus also had an older set that would squawk once per day and stay quiet after.

Older, like 2-3 years old. It seems the newer ones have issues.

 

[Andyd95]

We do 90% euro
Pads - Mostly Textar, Genuine, or Akebono. Sometimes ATE, Jurid, or OEF3 (Worldpac/API house brand)
Rotors - Zimmerman, Textar, or Akebono

On Asian stuff we use Advics or Akebono pads/rotors

 

[MattLawz]

Oh yes I have done that many+ over the past few years. These issues didn't pop up until the last year/two. I was very dissapointed because I really did like the pads. I just keep seeing jobs come back with issues. Just be aware.

You said you use Gold pads from AZ. Do you think it is true that Bosch makes them? I have heard a few rumors that Bosch makes those AZ Gold pads. Besides those gold pads what other pads from rock auto would you recommend because sometimes my customers can wait for parts and need something cheaper.

 

[BMW Dom]

I was planning to install elements 3s on my rear, but because of bad reviews hear I will likely use Bosch or DFC ceramic

 

[GMBoy]

You said you use Gold pads from AZ. Do you think it is true that Bosch makes them? I have heard a few rumors that Bosch makes those AZ Gold pads. Besides those gold pads what other pads from rock auto would you recommend because sometimes my customers can wait for parts and need something cheaper.

My regional AZ commerical rep told me they were Bosch Blues.

As for Rockauto I have used PowerStop, Dynamic Friction, Bendix, Cetric and other with zero issues over the years. I honestly in 40yrs never saw an issue with a pad until the E3 pads.. I hope they get their act together because that was a very good stopping pad with low dust. I used to like Raybestos' other lines so maybe they are still ok and work trying. I have another shop owner friend who uses thier R-line stuff and hasn't had issues.

 

[The Critic]

My regional AZ commerical rep told me they were Bosch Blues.

Need to check the edge codes. I've heard that AZ has multiple suppliers depending on the region of the country.

 

[GMBoy]

Need to check the edge codes. I've heard that AZ has multiple suppliers depending on the region of the country.

I am sure they do - I was thinking the same thing but regardless they have all been very good pads. My rep just said they were but I will ask if all part #s are as in the just rebox them all.