Brake Rotor Choices

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So many rotors, so little money!

I will be replacing the front brake pads and rotors on the GP and while I have decided and purchased pads (Akebono ProACT ceramic), I have yet to purchase the rotors and the options are overwhelming me. Are any rotors considerably better or worse than others? I have the following "daily driver" choices available locally or with free two day shipping through Amazon Prime, all within about $10 per rotor of each other:

Centric (the high carbon rotors are only $3 more than the standard, so I would go with those)
ACDelco Durastop (their higher tier rotors, but same cost as others on Amazon)
Wagner
Raybestos Professional Grade
Duralast (AZ house brand)
BrakeBest (O'Reilly house brand, appears to be a private labeled Raybestos Professional Grade)
Napa Premium (also a Raybestos Professional Grade?)
ProStop (Pep Boys house brand, looks like a Bendix Premium, which RockAuto classifies as an "Economy" rotor)

There are also "Economy" options for a bit less (Pronto, Bendix, Centric C-Tek, ACDelco Advantage) and "High Performance/Heavy Duty" rotors from PowerStop (drilled and slotted) and Raybestos (Advanced Technology) for a $10-15 per rotor premium. Is it a good idea to go with any of those? This is a daily driver car that I like to have some fun with, but I do not drive overly aggressive or track the car.
 
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Your best decision was on the Akebono Pro-Act Ceramic Pads, they're the best pads I have ever purchaced.

Now pick a rotor that fits in your budget. Just drive normaly with the Akebono's as they don't need any special break-in.

Any of the rotors that you listed will be fine and I'd buy them at the place that sell'em the cheapest be it Rock Auto or Amazon, AAP, AZ etc.

I like Brembo, Raybestos ProGrade, Centric Premium, Wagner but, this will just make things more confusing for you. They're all pretty good. They're good everyday driving replacement rotors...the kind you're looking for(not for racing). Just good stuff and YEA, you can have some fun with'em. No need for DRILLED/SLOTTED Rotors!
 
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Pick one from the RockAuto "daily driver" category and compare between Amazon and RockAuto total price. I would avoid the economy ones.

I think the quality needs to be in the pads. You got probably the best for normal (non track) driving.

Remember to brush away any rust on the hub.

if you have time measure lateral runout.
 
Isn't it nearly impossible to buy daily driver grade rotors that are not made in China? So, that takes one element out of the equation.

I don't buy the dirt cheapest ones available. I have had good results with the AZ rotors.

One set of drums from CarQuest had a "hard" spot on them and I exchanged them.

I want to believe that the Advanced Technology ones (and similar products)are a bit better, but who knows.

Because it is so hit or miss, the only good advice I have is to buy local, so that you can more easily handle any problems. Unless the mail return hassle is o.k. for your circumstances.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself

Because it is so hit or miss, the only good advice I have is to buy local, so that you can more easily handle any problems.


I agree with the above statement.
 
I use Raybestos pro on vehicles prone to warping, and it reduces or eliminates the problem.

From what I have seen, the only bad rotors are ones made at the absolute lowest price.
 
Advance Auto Parts website has the dimensions & weight of the rotors that they sell. You can buy the rotors with the heaviest weight. Some folks want more "MEAT" and others want "Lighter mass...It's your choice. I'd go with the heavier rotors for "possibly" better durability but, I really can't say, SORRY!
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You did get the correct pads IMHO
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IIRC the brakes on that car are also on the heavier Lesabre and Venture vans. Middle-of-the-road replacements should be dandy. I did MIL's lesabre retors with Chinese ac-delcos from amazon, and they were $20-25 apiece. She appreciated the AC-delco name, even though it's just a name now on their service-grade stuff.

Can't speak for durability, as she dumped the car a few months later.
 
Centric rotors are the way to go. They are mil spec balanced and also contain the Black e coating on the entire non friction surface so they are going to withstand corrosion from the snow and salt much better. I'm probably going to pick up a set myself soon to go with my Wearever Platinum ceramic pads for my Buick.
 
I have 4 Centric Premium Rotors on the mazda3, 3.5 years now and they're OK TOO!

I have Centric C-Tec on the Altima and they've been GREAT for 5 years now. I got lucky with these
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... Paid little money for them and they just seem to be going forever.

The 4 Brembo's on the Lexus lasted 5 years too and I had to replace them due to RUST ONLY(winter salt). Replaced with WAGNER ROTORS(4)
 
Centric Premium! The black coating is awesome; it really helps deter rust. And not only that, but they are also VERY good rotors. In fact, many high performance brake kits such as Powerslot, Sportstop, and Stop-Tech's drilled rotors start out as Centric Premium.

If you have to buy an economy rotor, get the Centric C-Tek; it is the same disc as the Premium but without the black e-coating.
 
I was leaning toward the Centrics because I was able to tour their corporate headquarters, R&D, and manufacturing operations here in Southern California a few years back and was thoroughly impressed. I also visited their Stop-Tech operations and that was pretty cool. The specs and processes they list for the premium rotors also sound beneficial.

Thanks for all of the feedback!
 
Of all stupid things, I purchased eBay drilled and slotted rotors from a vendor named "topbrakes_net" on the advice of other jaguar owners.

They have been the only set of rotors that have remained 100% warp free with my relentless "drive like an idiot" driving style. They actually were blue with heat last week. These things are rock solid.

Far better than the originals.
 
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
I was leaning toward the Centrics because I was able to tour their corporate headquarters, R&D, and manufacturing operations here in Southern California a few years back and was thoroughly impressed. I also visited their Stop-Tech operations and that was pretty cool. The specs and processes they list for the premium rotors also sound beneficial.

Thanks for all of the feedback!


Well then! Maybe you should buy the Centric's
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I currently have both the Centric Premium(Black E-Coating) on a '06 Mazda3 and C-Tech Standard/Economy Rotors on an '04 Altima. I am have decent success with both.(Wagner Rotors on the other vehicle - '01 RX-300)

I am also currently running Centric Posi-Quiet Ceramic Pads on all 3 vehicles as well
smile.gif
I had the Akebono Pro-Act's on the Lexus and they were very smooth/quiet & very low dusting
 
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I've had great personal results with Raybestos Advanced Technology and their Professional grade. Actually, the AC Delco Durastops are Raybestos Professionals. I have also had great luck with the Duralast rotors from autozone. Probably installed upwards of 20 sets of Duralast for people and no complaints yet.
 
Obligatory:
rotor_warning.jpg


And this is why you should buy new rotors locally. I still have the original rotors on my 1995 Escort at ~218K miles. No real reason to change them.
 
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Obligatory:
rotor_warning.jpg


And this is why you should buy new rotors locally. I still have the original rotors on my 1995 Escort at ~218K miles. No real reason to change them.


This is a great picture! I and others have posted this same pic in other threads. It's always worth repeating
laugh.gif
 
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx


And this is why you should buy new rotors locally. I still have the original rotors on my 1995 Escort at ~218K miles. No real reason to change them.



What local rotors are you speaking of? Do you mean OEM from the dealer?
 
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