Best Parts Store for Brake Parts

I pretty sure that my front rotors are warped, since I can feel them shimmy when I hit the brakes. At some time this year, I'm going to work on them, and If possible, get the rotors turned. There's only on parts store here in Salisbury N.C., that I can find that still does that.
In the event, that they can't be turned, which parts store has the best brake parts. Buying from a stealership isn't any option, since their so way over priced. So fellow TW members, who has the best parts for the money, Rock Auto, Parts Geek, O'reilly, Auto zone, Advance, Napa. I just want to get the best parts I can get for the money. Really appreciate any input.

 

Rotors are cheap, I just put on a set from oriellys, get parts at cost plus tax. They are fine so far.

Also check your lower control arm bushings, they can cause a similar sensation.

 

@Old green toyota , I hope it's not the control arm bushings, since I just had a 4 wheel alignment done, and they told me everything looked good.

 

No real 4 wheel alignment for our trucks seeing as how the rear is a solid axle.

 

Any more if I don`t use Toyota I will go with Napa if they send the wrong parts or I order the wrong numbers returns are easy.

Most rotors are so easy to swap and the price has dropped so low along with quality it is not really cost effective to turn them.

Shops all used to have the equipment to cut rotors and drums not so any more add in the added time to send them out adds more time and expense.

The old ones make great bases for stands.

 

I buy off Rock Auto, my local parts store tends lack inventory.

But my advice, if you front caliper are old & crusty... I would look into buying a Powerstop complete kit that includes new calipers, rotors and pads.

 

I would run into warped rotors pretty often until I swapped out my break calipers and rotors for tundra parts.

Might be something to consider. The replacement rotors I used were from auto zone.

 

Is power stop better than ebc? I have the same problem and was considering buying ebc rotors and pads. Sorry, not trying to hijack your thread op.

 

I never used ebc pads... but those who have, they're comparable. I was suggesting the powerstop kit because it comes with calipers (no core charge).

 

Not a problem were all in the same boat here. Trying to learn, and get the best bang for our buck.

 

I wound up going with the Powerstop Z36 kit and couldn't be happier!

 

Better brakes are always Good !

If I was working on a Fun Vehicle that I would not be really put out waiting 3 to 5 days for parts

I like being able to call in the afternoon and everything I need shows up by 10.00am

 

RockAuto or Amazon is always cheapest for me. Definitely shop around though.

I usually get PowerStop. Z17 is fine for OE replacement and Z23 is good if you need a little more stopping power. IMO Z36 is pretty overkill unless you're towing often.

 

I got a set from summit racing, EBC Green Stuff pads with their OE replacement style. Pretty happy overall. Got to my house in two days.

 

There is a rating code on brake pads to indicate stopping power that is assigned by DOT testing. Nothing magic.

A brake pad with OEM stopping power will have a FF braking coefficient. Most of the top-shelf parts store brand pads are FF rated.

Pads with the most breaking power are rated GG.

In between OEM FF and the top GG is FG. -- Wagner Thermoquiet with the integrated shim for Tacoma only is an example of FG pads.

EBC Green is GG



The last time I bought a bunch of products to record the stopping coefficient was last year. EBC green pads are rated GG.




Some Bosch Pads are rated GG




Toyota OEM is rated FF

 

Rotors don't warp. I'm sure someone will want to argue that point. I'm not going to do that because you can read the white paper on the topic on StopTech's website.

What you are feeling is excess pad material that has collected on the rotor face, causing the caliper to pulse as the rotor rotates.

IF the rotor is in good condition otherwise (exceeds min thickness stamped on it's edge measured at the deepest groove) try cleaning it with brake cleaner and scotch brite pads. The ones that mount in your drill are good.

Just leave your old pads on if they have any meat to them, bed them as you should new bits (read up if you don't know how to bed new pads) and see what happens.

If the rotors are not good enough to bother with cleanup, I'd just get new ones. I've found that the $ delta in turning and new isn't worth the aggravation of the trip to the machine shop anymore. Turning prices have risen, rotor prices have fallen.

In my SCCA ride I used Hawk stuff. I wanted high initial bite but wasn't worried about long term heating like track folks would be. Which mine worked fine on the street too.

Everyone I knew who chose EBC stuff gave them up at about 50% wear, as they felt they were overrated.

I found Bembro marked rotors could be had at NAPA, don't know if that's still the case, and they wore quite well. What you should select depends on how you use the vehicle. If it's basically just transportation and OE braking power is adequate for you, just using the higher end parts house bits should be fine.

And don't give up on actual OE parts shopping. Some of the Toyota vendors have good pricing. You can mix bits too, if that works for you. NAPA rotors, Advance Auto calipers, Toyota pads (as an example).

 

thanks for all the reply's. It will give me plenty of reading material to look up.