OEM pads and rotors vs aftermarket

[marq]

Had rotors turned about 10K miles ago at GM dealer under warranty due to pulsation and they recommended new front pads. First think I noticed was I had to put foot through the floor board to stop so pads were much less aggresive.

Now I notice that the rotors are completely glazed/glossy and a dull color except for a band about an inch wide at the outside edge.

Figure since rotors were turned once new rotors will be needed and new pads. Any experiance with aftermarket pads or rotors? Considering OEM items which I figure will need to be purchased at Toyota dealership, cost may be a factor also?

[thebarber]

The cheapy pads/rotors that came on my GT are warped, too. I picked up some hawk pads ($150 shipped for front and rear) and some cheap rotors ($100). I need to do it soon.

Hawk pads came HIGHLY recommended. I got them from Garm at microimageonline.com

[ehoff121]

First, if you haven't already, check out Sublime's excellent brake tutorial.

viewtopic.php?t=24417

Next, turned rotors are thinner rotors and the OEM's on the Vibe will likely start vibrating again soon.

You didn't mention if the rotor turning fixed the vibration or not.

You may want to replace the rotors and get better pads.

[triz]

OEM Pads and get some crossdrilled rotors or new rotors. Are you doing any type of autocrossing?

[GTwannabe]

I am running EBC green stuff carbon ceramic pads from ebay at $70. Drilled golden annodized ebc rotors at $150. Tires and mushy feel are the only thing keeping from stopping quicker now.

The rotors make and angry growl under hard breaking (due to drilled slots). Maybe I'm the only one who thinks its cool

[kumquat]

Zero need for drilled rotors. I've gone through a lot of rotors in my time on my Grand Am, which has notoriously underpowered braking. In my experience, rotors are pretty much all the same. Brake pads differ quite a bit though. PFC Carbon Metallic were the grabbiest pad I ever used on the GA, but they don't have any models for the GA.

Personally I'd probably go with Akebono Performance Ultra if you want something grabby, but that seems unnecessary on the Vibe. A regular Wagner Thermoquiet or Raybestos PG Plus should get the job done fine. Should be at least as good as OEM.

[joatmon]

I've had great luck with "nothing special" rotors from Advanceautoparts and usually buy one step up from cheapest pads.

[ehoff121]

Using Wagner ThermoQuiet ceramics on my AWD with standard rotors (from Firestone Auto Service) and they do the job.

Just installed the NAPA Adaptive One pads and NAPA Premium Rotors on the wife's Toyota Highlander and they are a capable combination. The Adaptive One pads use different formulations on the inside pad vs. outside pad for the caliper. The Premium rotors are lightly scored to assist in bedding in the pads.

Are you sure the wheel vibration was from the rotors? Tire balance and worn wheel bearings can also be causes.

[Water boy]

I installed:
Hawk yellow box # HB441Z.661
EBC rotor GD 7110 (slotted n dimpled)

Excellent results.

Stops very good with light brake pressure below 50 MPH.
The wife is a brake eater so I had to have the rotors turned due to pulsing.
It is almost time to do that again.

The hats are still clean looking and very little brake dust.

Somewhat annoying is the constant "ticking" of the slots or dimples. When I had them turned that was reduced some. For some people the stereo volume knob could be an easy fix.

I went with the slot/dimple because it was like $10 more. Next time I'll skip that feature.

When I was looking for rotors I payed some attention to the weight of the rotor.

[lannvouivre]

I got some BREMBO blank rotors for like $80 for the pair, which I thought was a good deal for a brand that's considered good quality. Next on the list is some Akebono pads, once my no-name ceramics are reasonably worn. The new rotors are fine so far. I may end up having to run them through an on-board lathe; I had problems with lateral runout on the last pair even after having them turned via a table lathe. I hope I won't this time, the last pair was the cheapest I could get at the time.

[Water boy]

I thought we were talking about brakes... not headlights.

Now that the photos have been removed this post can as well.