You’ve seen the ads for $99.99
brake jobs. But have you met
anyone who actually got the job
done for that price? We doubt it. That’s
because repair shops simply can’t make
any money on a $99.99 brake job
unless they use economy parts or sell
you additional parts, resulting in a substantially
higher bill. You don’t want
your brakes serviced with economy
parts and you certainly don’t want to
pay for parts you don’t need. Here’s
some practical advice on how to get
your brakes done right at a price you
can afford.
First, learn the difference between
economy and premium parts. The
strict federal safety standards that were
written for new-car manufacturers
don’t apply to aftermarket brake parts.
As a result, the U.S. market is being
flooded with cheap brake parts that
don’t meet new-car standards. Is there
really a difference? You bet!
Rotors
Look at the photos below of the two brake rotors. Both are for the same vehicle
and both are labeled as “premium”
quality. Yet the rotor in the bottom photo
weighs 2-1/2 lbs. less than the rotor in the
top photo. Also, the friction surface on
the “economy” rotor is noticeably thinner.
These “economy” rotors require
longer stopping distances, result in dramatically
shorter pad life, warp more easily
and generate considerably more noise.
Here are two rotors for the same vehicle.
The thinner friction surface on the
economy rotor will cause premature
pad wear, increase stopping distances
and generate more noise. Insist on
BEEP- and D3EA-certified rotors.
The caliper caper
The caliper squeezes the brake pads
against the rotor. It slides along two
lubricated pins. If those pins rust, or if
the brake-pad backing plates rust, the
caliper cannot release properly and the
result is uneven pad wear. That is not a
reason to replace the caliper. The remedy
is to remove the rust from the pins and
coat their surfaces with a synthetic heatresistant
grease. Every professional brake
technician knows how to do that.
FIGURE A Disc brake (exploded view)
Click Image to enlarge.
Unfortunately, the current trend in brake
repair is to recommend expensive caliper
replacement with every brake job. Many
times that makes up for what the shop loses
by running a $99.99 brake special. If your
shop recommends replacement, ask the
technician why. If the answer is that the pad
wear is uneven, insist that the technician
lubricate the slide surfaces rather than
replace the caliper. Replace the caliper only
if it is leaking or if the piston doesn’t retract.
Brake pads
The same quality issues apply to brake
pads. True “premium” pads are made with
expensive walnut shell oil, state-of-the-art
resins and binders, high-quality steel backing
plates and noise reduction shims.
Economy pads use outdated and inexpensive
friction formulas that were abandoned
by major manufacturers decades ago.
These pads are cheaper — but they retain
more heat, wear out faster and make more
noise.
Click Image to enlarge.
Premium pads include noise
reduction shims. If you’re
being charged extra for
shims, the shop is installing
an economy pad.
Economy brake parts always cost more
over the long term because they don’t last
as long. How can you tell if the parts
you’re getting are really high quality? Ask
the shop if the pads and the rotors are certified
by BEEP and D3EA (independent
testing labs). If the answer is no, or the
shop doesn’t know, find another shop.
Insist on name-brand BEEP- and D3EAcertified
brake pads. Premium-quality
brands include Bendix, Wagner, Raybestos,
NAPA/United and CarQuest.
