Cheap brakepads

[HULK_I6T]

A friend asked me about some ebay brake pads. They were about $30 for the fronts on his FG. I dont know about them.

IS there a big difference between cheap brake pads and expensive brake pads? Are you risking safety using the cheap brake pads?

[GTP-RPD]

I think this is one area were you dont want to skimp on.

Unless the seller has bought up a pallet load of quality brand pads and is selling them cheap.

[Express]

As above plus some info on the pads for a more definitive answer.

[Maka]

One difference between cheap / expensive brake pads is the name brands do what they claim & fit properly

cheers, Maka

[dannyxm]

The words 'cheap' and 'brakes' should never be used in the same sentence.


Ever.

[FGII-XR6]

you get what you pay for. do you really want sub standard brakes? even if you manage to find cheapies with 1/2 decent performance there are other trade offs .

I personally like Bendix pads. they have given me a good run over the years they wear well and perform well for normal street use . they are not excessively dusty either and they have a strip on them that beds them in nicely. they are a good balance between price and quality

[ratter]

another fan of Bendix pads, cheap brake pads and cheap tyres are a recipe for disaster

[zipping]

+ another for Bendix

[FGII-XR6]

spend another $10 and get a can of bendix brake cleaner, I used it last time I did my pads and it did a great job cleaning up the callipers making assembly hassle free also with all the crud gone the whole assembly seemed to be a operate more freely

[ltd]

+ 1 more for Bendix.
Can't go wrong. When you need to stop in a hurry, I don't want to rely on something that was produced by the cheapest bidder.

Bendix anti-skid, auto brakes and brake pads were on the first 747 back in 1968, so they know their thing.
Plus, they're now owned by Honeywell who also own Garrett turbine (turbo chargers, turbine engines, avionics etc) so they're a massive company with a solid reputation, that means that they'd be exposed to massive class action suits for producing faulty rubbish unlike some of the cheap knock-offs produced in the third world nations.
Choose right, choose Bendix.

[Spammy]

About 8 years ago I bought a set of Ebay cheapie no name pads for my old ute. They had no bite or feel at all. And to be honest they were only $15 cheaper than bendix/Dba standard pads.

[MrXR8]

Bendix never fail. Used brembo and they were also great. I never go cheap on brakes, tyres, toilet paper and my coffee.

But...... Each to their own.

[Bourbon Ute]

I've used a few 'cheap' sets of pads at work, they can be noisy. Pedal feel is sometimes different too.
Stick with name brands. As everyone else has mentioned, Bendix is a good start.

[Spurious]

I second the Bendix. When I first got my AU2 I put a full set of Bendix in, front & rear. They were on special at Autobarn for about $36 the lot I think. That was 3 years ago & I've done over 50K on them & they're not even half worn down yet. Not dusty & not noisy.

Well know brands don't get popular by being crap!

[HULK_I6T]

Two brands were suggested, rda and toraz. He tried to say they were made by the bigger companies anyway?

[Spurious]

ebay & super cheap auto, 2 shops to avoid IMO.

[mechanic]

Haven't had the experience with cheap pads but was told to fit a new clutch to a Case tractor [ 2 clutch plates ] in the last place I worked before retiring.
The miserable bloke who ran the business would have got the cheapest parts he could find. Anyway 3 weeks later the clutch lining fell off the disc, owner not happy. Neither was I as fitting those things is not something you look forward to.
It appears that some of those asbestos type products are being made in overseas sweat shops and there's very little quality control.

[Olbucko]

Originally Posted by f6_benito

Two brands were suggested, rda and toraz. He tried to say they were made by the bigger companies anyway?

I have used RDA pads on my Territory, they worked OK but they wore out in 25,000 k and turned the wheels black, I replaced them with standard Bendix pads which are little more than half worn at 50,000 k, and very little dust.

[tweeked]

I put 30 dollar pads, cheap brake fluid but good Michellin tyres on the Camry, and drive it accordingly without a problem. I put 200 buck pads, 80 per half litre fluid and good tyres on the GT, and drive that accordingly.

Horses for courses

[Ben73]

I personally would not go cheap, but I wont go OEM on the 300c either.
Chrysler quoted me $2200 for 4 new Pads and rotors fitted.

[MR REKLAW]

Bendix for me,XR8 Ute with brake upgrade package,running Ultimate's all round.Don't do cheap on brake pads.

[janddbone]

Likely to be RDA on ebay... I personally find these fine for the price, however I am very gentle on brakes...

[HULK_I6T]

My mate bought the Toraz brakes and fitted them up. he said he is very very happy.

He said they squeel a bit but it used to squeel before he changed the brakes also so he thinks its something else.

[partzkid]

in my time i've come across over 100 different brands of pads and all i can say is, you never know till you try them. i've been really happy with pads i've bought for 20 bucks and really dissapointed with pads i've pad 100's for. about bendix, mechanics use them because out of all the brands out there, they have the very little come backs for squeal/dust/lack of pedal feel/fade/premature wear. just cant convince myself to pay they're ludicrous prices for some products that they just re-box from other brake companies. RDA pads are ok if you don't brake too heavily. never heard of toraz. brake shops tend to know what works in what car the best. maybe look for one local to you?
you might pay 50-60 bucks but at least if they are crap pads you can take them back and they'll replace them.

partzkid

[saber]

Bendix or QFM for me…

[FGII-XR6]

The pricing is quite reasonable considering how they perform and their quality. I really don't care if they get them made elsewhere,you will find they do specify design and materials used and have a product that has never let me down. they have great wear properties while maintaining excellent brake feel and response for street use.

Originally Posted by partzkid

about bendix, mechanics use them because out of all the brands out there, they have the very little come backs for squeal/dust/lack of pedal feel/fade/premature wear. just cant convince myself to pay they're ludicrous prices for some products that they just re-box from other brake companies.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by ratter

cheap brake pads and cheap tyres are a recipe for disaster

Sheesh, some people just have no sense of adventure

[Dave_Obsession]

QFM HP-X pads are excellent.

[forum@tyretrader]

Originally Posted by f6_benito

A friend asked me about some ebay brake pads. They were about $30 for the fronts on his FG. I dont know about them.

IS there a big difference between cheap brake pads and expensive brake pads? Are you risking safety using the cheap brake pads?

I think there is a HUGE difference. Matt from Race Brakes Sydney knows his stuff.
I would never skimp on pads for a car like ours.

[blk6t]

Still all standard on the GT, but the XR8 had Ferodo pads and they are awesome! First thing I did with the XR8 was upgrade the brakes, even though the BF's had a fairly good setup, still threw on slotted rotors and Ferodo pads plus fluid....brakes very well now.