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Brakes - need advice on supplier


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My 2000 4-cyl OBW needs new pads and rotors. RockAuto.Com lists the following manufacturers: Bendix, Wagner, KelseyHayes, Beck/Arnley, Monroe, Raybestos, ACDelco, and Guardian. Which of these are at least equal to OE? Tremendous variation in price. TIA.

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Has anyone ever used the ATE PremiumOne Slotted rotors that Tirerack sells?. I'm thinking of using them on my 01 VDC OBW, the ones on the car now are warped, and from what I have read the VDC has a tendency to warp rotors so I want to go with a good disc.

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Tremendous variation in price. TIA.

 

On my 97 OBW, I used Wagner Thermoquiet Pads from Rock auto and cheap rotors from Advance Auto Parts. One problem I have with Rock auto is the shipping cost, they want to ship multiple items from different location charging your double shipping. Also look on Amazon, I was there looking today for rotors for my 01 VDC. they ship free on select items.

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I'm thinking of using them on my 01 VDC OBW, the ones on the car now are warped, and from what I have read the VDC has a tendency to warp rotors so I want to go with a good disc.
i have regular rotors on my 02 OBW VDC and they've done well with a good work out - mountain roads, steep grades, pulling hundreds of pounds of equipment on trailers, etc.

 

I got the NAPA ....Adaptive One ceramic hybrid brake pads. they work nicely and came with a complete kit - caliper clips and all that.

 

The reason I mention those pads is that I would replace those clips, even if the pads you get don't come with them. Also replace any boots that look remotely weak/old, and grease the slides properly. This might help as much, or more, than slotted rotors.

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Because poorly seated pads or caliper function will cause pads to run against or closer to rotors which then run hotter and warp.

 

If you want the calipers to work as intended and be able to pull away from the rotor as well as possible, then you would want whatever controls that to be in proper working order. That's why you should always clean and grease the slides and replace bad bushings/boots on the capliers, many shops skip that step. Those slides and the grease contained in the boot allow the pad to pull off the rotor when the pedal is released. Calipers don't have spring mechanisms like drum brakes, they're more likely to have dragging pads.

 

As for the clips, they also control the pad since that's about the only thing the pad actually comes in contact with. With age/use, maintenance, they can be bent, distorted, mis-shaped, loose, warped, corroded, and particularly built up with debris, etc. You could try cleaning them, but they're cheap and if this guy is having issues replacement seems like a good bet.

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Thanks Gary. Yeah I always clean and regrease the slides and I replace the clips if they come with the pads. Never thought the clips did much but you are right, if they somehow help the pads retract, then we are well advised to make sure they are in good shape. I recently ppurchased new rotors and pads for m the wife's '97. I bit the bullet and bought ALL OEM Subaru stuff so I got the new clips...

 

Tough post there Wolfie but yeah, darn well better replace any rusty or missing slides!!:eek:

 

Mike V.

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my Suby mechanic (independent and not at a dealership) won't use (or guarantee) anything that is not OEM. I 'm not about to show up at his shop with anything other than OEM.... He is really emphatic about it especially with brakes.

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The guys on this list that have lots of skill and experience, somewhat surprisingly, don't seem to have much of a problem with aftermarket brake parts except that you run a risk of the rotors not fitting correctly due to minor design changes that Subaru made to these items in various years. Do I have that right guys?

 

Mike V.

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except that you run a risk of the rotors not fitting correctly due to minor design changes that Subaru made to these items in various years.
i have no idea what that means. i've never had or heard of a problem with rotors fitting. if it's happened, i would think it's more anecdotal than anything else. Subaru is just plain confusing with brakes though - I would think it's more an issue of getting the wrong part than that part being "low quality".

 

It's not black and white and much comes down to opinion. "All OEM" is certainly one way but it says as much about personality as mechanical advice.

 

Even those of us who don't always recommend OEM, but have significant experience with Subaru's, know which parts to use OEM on and which not. In some cases OEM is not the best choice.

 

But it gets confusing to folks that don't have the time or experience - for instance for EA/ER headgaskets OEM is not the best choice, but for EJ head gaskets I'd only use Subaru.

 

Without time/experience it's understandable that folks wouldn't want to know all those nuances to parts, models, and engines. And the easier solution for anal, paranoid, anxious, concerned people is to just go all OEM all the time.

Edited by grossgary
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The guys on this list that have lots of skill and experience, somewhat surprisingly, don't seem to have much of a problem with aftermarket brake parts except that you run a risk of the rotors not fitting correctly due to minor design changes that Subaru made to these items in various years. Do I have that right guys?

 

Mike V.

 

nope. never had a problem with fitting aftermarket rotors....well of course wehen i was getting wrong part# due to my or salesperson mistake:). sure i had problems with fitting "Chinese/Taiwanian body parts":lol:. But anythig else was fitted perfectly. Also cheap stuff is "cheap". I always prefer good aftermarket parts, and belive me they r better(with exeptions of course).

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i have no idea what that means. i've never had or heard of a problem with rotors fitting. if it's happened, i would think it's more anecdotal than anything else. Subaru is just plain confusing with brakes though - I would think it's more an issue of getting the wrong part than that part being "low quality".

 

It's not black and white and much comes down to opinion. "All OEM" is certainly one way but it says as much about personality as mechanical advice.

 

Even those of us who don't always recommend OEM, but have significant experience with Subaru's, know which parts to use OEM on and which not. In some cases OEM is not the best choice.

 

But it gets confusing to folks that don't have the time or experience - for instance for EA/ER engines OEM is not the best choice, but for EJ stuff I'd only use Subaru.

 

Without time/experience it's understandable that folks wouldn't want to know all those nuances to parts, models, and engines. And the easier solution for anal, paranoid, anxious, or concerned people is to just go all OEM all the time.

 

:clap: thats what i was going to say...but not much i can do after you, just was writting my post at a time yu posted.

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I agree with Grossgary about brakes , Replace anything questionable. Use the best syntec style of brake grease .

 

I also like Wagner , my first choice then Bendix or Raybestos .

The Guardian brand is from Wagner , a price alternative...

 

Just before we install the New Rotor we spray brake cleaner in the vent holes and the outside area where the wheel comes in contact with the rotor . After it dries I use high heat paint , Red being her color of choice it has the secondary effect of not rusting in those cooling vents. and of corse the calipers are red also. :):) .........

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