Should I go with OE brake rotors/pads or aftermarket?

[justthinking]

Wife's 07 camry had the rotors resurfaced at about 30k miles due to brake vibration..now at about 65k, the vibration is back..
Don't think we will be able to resuface the rotors again so new rotors might be needed..

My question is, should I stick w/ OE rotors and pads or should I go aftermarket?
My 96 camry has 200k miles and I have never resurface or replace the rotors...
Don't understand why newer cars would have inferior rotors, is it a cost down issue or just new material used?
Anyway, OE brakes also are not that sharp, so I am wondering if I can get longer lasting and better performace rotors/pads w/ aftermarket parts.

Also, when should the brake fluid be flashed and replaced?

[LE05]

go with aftermarket rotors (brembo blanks) and you can go either way with oem or aftermarket pads. i like akebono pads... some oem pads are actually akebonos as well.

if your brake fluid has not been flushed since you've gotten the car, its about time. ideally it should be done at least every 2 years or so.

[touringcamry]

It could be a result of undersized brakes also. The rotors have to absorb and dissapate heat repeatedly. If it cannot dissipate the heat fast enough, then the rotors can get too hot and deform.

Brembo, Bendix, Raybestos Advanced Technology rotors are decent quality ones. I think Napa Ultra Premium is the same as Raybestos Adv Tech.

Pads go with Akebono ProACT, Bendix CT3, or some other quality ceramic pad.

There was a Subaru coupe that was notorious for warped rotors because it was the largest/heaviest vehicle Subaru built up to that point

[JohnGD]

The OEM Toyota rotors since 2002 seem to be junk. They took cost cutting a bit too far. The problem can also be a combination of pads/rotors. I personally would stay away from NBK.

As suggested, Brembo (a while back I didn't see them as available), so get Raybestos Advanced Technology rotors (check www.rockauto.com).

Akebono ProAct ceramic offers a combination of low dust, low noise and long lasting wear. If you don't mind a bit of noise sometimes, then try Hawk Performance carbon metallic pads. HPS pads are available for 07. Some TN owners claim the HPS are just as quiet as ceramic. Just follow the break-in procedure.

http://www.hawkperformance.com/
HB648F.607 Disc Brake Pad; HPS Performance Street w/0.607 Thickness; Rear
HB647F.692 Disc Brake Pad; HPS Performance Street w/0.692 Thickness; Front

Also check Amazon and tirerack.com for prices.

Change brake fluid every 2 years. Use Castrol GT LMA (Low Moisture Activity) or Valvoline Synthetic (also LMA).

Originally Posted by justthinking

Wife's 07 camry had the rotors resurfaced at about 30k miles due to brake vibration..now at about 65k, the vibration is back..
Don't think we will be able to resuface the rotors again so new rotors might be needed..

My question is, should I stick w/ OE rotors and pads or should I go aftermarket?
My 96 camry has 200k miles and I have never resurface or replace the rotors...
Don't understand why newer cars would have inferior rotors, is it a cost down issue or just new material used?
Anyway, OE brakes also are not that sharp, so I am wondering if I can get longer lasting and better performace rotors/pads w/ aftermarket parts.

Also, when should the brake fluid be flashed and replaced?

[gdanaher]

Akebono are sometimes the stock pad at your Toyota dealer. If not , what they have are long lived, nearly dust free, and seem to work quietly, and best of all are prices competitively with the after market. For rotors, avoid the Toyota replacements because they are overpriced and substandard in quality as noted above. Your local parts store will have a house brand, Raybestos, Wagner, and a few others. You don't have to spend a lot to get a good rotor. Probably avoid the cheapo house brand, but Raybestos and Wagner are good names and they tend to stand behind their product.

[darksparkz]

EBC makes rotors for the Gen6.

But for your wife, if it's a daily anyways, OE rotors and OE pads are the best, least noise and least brake dust. I'm not sure how much spirited driving would be done to need better pads.

[njerald]

Originally Posted by darksparkz

EBC makes rotors for the Gen6.

But for your wife, if it's a daily anyways, OE rotors and OE pads are the best, least noise and least brake dust. I'm not sure how much spirited driving would be done to need better pads.

+1 on the pads...

[ukrkoz]

i can not tell for mine, as i just got her, but one i was looking at before, showed rear brakes replacement, dealer, at about same mileage.
either dealers make some $$, or it has same problem i had with my 04 CR-V and my 91 civic, and our 95 civic. warping rotors, and warping fast. surprisingly, lexus does much better. friends 04 CR-V is same - trouble way too often.

here's my experience so far. fork for slotted or diamond slotted, not drilled, rotors. i had that done on my CR-V, and that was it. when i bought her new, i was driving about 1000 miles a week, so i had to go through turning rotors every 15-20 K miles. slotted - 70K, and sold her w-out any issues.

also, stay away from ceramic pads and OEM rotors. i was fool enough to do this for wife's RX300. awful rubbing noise when she rolls to a stop. none of cures worked. or worked only short time. brakes better, yes, but that rub, unless you have stereo on loud, is super annoying.

[justthinking]

I think OE pads are fine, the problem is I don't want to resurface the rotor every 30k miles and replace them every 60k miles..I want something that will last longer and perhaps provide better brake performance as well..(wife did complain about the brake feel not sharp enough and the vibration is scaring her again)

[LE05]

Originally Posted by justthinking

I think OE pads are fine, the problem is I don't want to resurface the rotor every 30k miles and replace them every 60k miles..I want something that will last longer and perhaps provide better brake performance as well..(wife did complain about the brake feel not sharp enough and the vibration is scaring her again)

definitely go for brembo blank rotors then... they're quality rotors and last a long time.

[willt]

cant find brembo blanks anymore for camry

anyone tried ebc rotor?

[92hb_hb]

my OE pads suck on my SE.. they don't stop the car as nice as the pads in my corolla.. not sure what pads are in the corolla as I bought the car used at 121k miles, but they seem to bite much better than the camry pads.. What pads do you guys suggest as a replacement?

[njerald]

Originally Posted by 92hb_hb

my OE pads suck on my SE.. they don't stop the car as nice as the pads in my corolla.. not sure what pads are in the corolla as I bought the car used at 121k miles, but they seem to bite much better than the camry pads.. What pads do you guys suggest as a replacement?

Read the bloody thread!!!!!!!!

[gdanaher]

+1

[catric69]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

Just follow the break-in procedure.

Change brake fluid every 2 years.

Something owners forget about doing. Fluid is to be replaced about every 2 years or about 30,000 miles.