Where can I get quality brake pads and rotors?

Posted by Nukesnipe@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 27 comments

Need to replace all of it for my 2020 corolla, but I'm seeing some extremely variable price ranges. I called the local Toyota dealership and they quoted almost $700 for the entire set, but i can also see that ordering from Walmart is only about $130.

I'm very much not a car guy, so I don't know if the dealer's quote is ludicrously high or if the Walmart price is cheap crap that'll break as soon as I slam my brakes once. So, where do y'all buy replacement brake parts? I don't want to overpay but I also don't want to buy trash, yknow?

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tonydaracer@reddit

https://youtu.be/DZ8O2tJOGLE?si=QJ2ikqBdRppKyOnJ

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tecluobrakepad@reddit

Thanks for share

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CarobAffectionate582@reddit

Rockauto.

Odd to chew up rotors in five years, car been abused? Also, can be turned cheaply locally.

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tecluobrakes@reddit

Yes, Ceramic is good quality

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YouInternational2152@reddit

RockAuto is great! Just make sure you buy from one of the big brands... Any brand that makes OEM parts will certainly be fine.

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boy6982632@reddit

ceramic is long life

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IcyPhilosopher3952@reddit

Love r/A I didn't need them but one day i looked in clearance and found Wagner QS Ceramic pads for $15 ...Still haven't used yet , maybe I'll get lucky and find Rotors on clearance LOL all the best Pal

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CarobAffectionate582@reddit

Yep, a solid brand and you’re fine. I like ceramic for bite and dust ( low) qualities.

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Nukesnipe@reddit (OP)

I've been doing doordash for the last 3 and a half years and am at a bit over 70k miles according to the odometer. I don't know if I actually need to replace the rotors, but what I was reading online said to replace them at 70k and pads at 10k (I'm way overdue), and some people said to replace rotors every other pad replacement.

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CarobAffectionate582@reddit

You examine them for grooving and depth wear and replace as necessary. The wear and use patterns are far too variable to make a blanket statement. Anyone saying “xx miles for rotors” et.c as. A rule is not a credible source on auto repair or maintenance.

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Nukesnipe@reddit (OP)

So I should buy just the pads and take a look at the rotors while they're exposed?

I figured the X miles thing was just to simplify for laymen. It might be more often than necessary but Joe Average can understand 70k = new rotors better than inspecting wear patterns.

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Galopigos@reddit

Yes, but not just look, you want to measure them as well, rotors have a minimum thickness.

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DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit

No idea about OP's driving habits, but five years could easily be 60K for me. I wouldn't feel cheated swapping rotors at that mileage.

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CarobAffectionate582@reddit

It would be 1/2 to 1/3rd a normal life, and be turnable instead of disposable. Either a defect, bad driving habits, unless driving a very high high horsepower car agressively.

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Galopigos@reddit

Not if he is in the rust belt, Here the routine is new brakes about every 4 years, not for wear but because they rot into pieces.

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Galopigos@reddit

You do not get car parts through walmart, ebay or amazon if you expect anything close to a good part. OE rotors for your car are around $100 each, and the pads are $100 for the front and $90 for the rear. So their quote is right for OE parts. Or go to Rock Auto online and look up the Power Stop kit that matches your car. Or go to the local parts store like a Federated or NAPA and get their top line rotors and pads, if you need rotors, if yours are still OK you may only need pads.

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Nukesnipe@reddit (OP)

That's odd, the power stop kit for front + back is only $200 total.

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Galopigos@reddit

Power stop makes good parts, if you are trying to save money they are not a no-name part. I've used their domestic items a lot with no issues but very limited on any "imports"

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Kye7@reddit

Take a gamble with the power stop kit or go oem and no gamble

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DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit

$700 for all four rotors and pads is not a bad price. $130 sounds like pads alone, and pretty low-end ones at that.

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Nukesnipe@reddit (OP)

Really? I'm looking at RockAuto like some people here have suggested, and pads are like... 10 bucks for 4? Even the pad + rotor kits are only like $200 at most for the entire set.

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