Reddit mentions: The best automotive replacement brake pads

Duralast usually is fine, however I find that the rust/corrode really easily, there are some pretty solid choices online.

I use rockauto to find parts prices, personally I have been very happy with anything made by Bendix, I am currently using their ceramic pads and rotors on my Sunfire and Jetta; the Jetta for a year and the Sunfire for about 4 months, both are holding up nicely, no pulsation dead silent, and best of all NO BRAKE DUST!

If you want an upgraded pad, look into Hawk's Ceramic pads, They are considerably more expensive at about $60-$100 for a pair, but we used them in a track day car that my buddy's shop used to own a few years ago, and I swear they never fade, for daily driving I imagine they would be a bit overkill, but brakes are one of those areas where someone typically should be spending money.

Find your parts at rockauto, then take the part numbers and go over to amazon and see if you can score free shipping, thats the only downfall to rockauto these days is their shipping rates can be fairly high.

I assume that these are front brakes, I did some part number searching for you.

BENDIX Part # RD804 - Front Ceramic Pads $24.94 for the pair at Amazon

RAYBESTOS Part # 66443R - $27.28 each at Amazon

Free shipping on amazon, by the way.

We replaced the rear brakes at 64k miles on our 2013 but that was a bit late (one pad was totally gone and ruined the rotor). I don't think there's an indicator to make noise when the pad is almost worn out. We bought the car with 26k miles on it and I don't think the brakes had been changed before that.

Replaced the rotors with cheap Callahan ones from Amazon @ $50 for both and got a great deal on these Power Stop 16-1665 Z16 Ceramic Brake Pads for $10 used, like new from Amazon warehouse deals. You should be able to find new brake pads for under $40 easily.

The old rotors were stuck pretty well on the hub but there is a hole on the rotor that you can put a screw into to push the rotor away form the hub. The bolt that came with this kickstand happened to fit the hole perfectly. This video shows what I mean.

Very easy to do a rotor and pad job yourself. Does require a couple of tools though. Even with the tools you'll be saving a bunch of money.

Changed the front brakes on my sister's civic for less than $150 dollars for the parts.

Besides sockets and a ratchet, you'll want to either get a C-clamp or a a brake caliper tool: https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-24400-Disc-Brake-Spreader/dp/B0002SQU9K

Also some brake lubricant: https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-24129-Silicone-Extreme-Lubricant/dp/B01L1LV9F6/ref=sr_1_11?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1496554333&sr=1-11&keywords=brake+lube

And sometimes its tough to take the rotor screws off, for that you will need an impact driver: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002O16UPM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Since your car is pretty new, you might not need the impact driver unless your rotors are rusty.

I used this rotor + pad set for the car : https://www.amazon.com/Power-Stop-K1043-Evolution-Drilled/dp/B005FKMOWM

I've put powerstop rotors and pads on 4 cars now and they have worked quiet well. Some people were saying that the drilled rotors are prone to cracks, but that won't happen for a daily drive car on the street. Other rotor and pad options:

https://www.amazon.com/Wagner-BD125669E-Premium-Coated-Brake/dp/B00HJJDSZO

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-17D914C-Professional-Ceramic-Front/dp/B000IYY7PW

Rears will be different than the ones I posted, so check and see what will fit. Amazon makes it pretty easy, just enter your car and it'll tell you what fits.

Since you have watched videos on the change, I don't think you need me to tell you how to do it.

Buying from the dealer is great because of convenience and returns, but you can usually get the same OEM parts online for cheaper if you can look up your own part numbers. These are the exact same OEM pads for your car the dealer is charging $110 for half-price

Brake pads are perfectly fine to buy aftermarket. You can go to an auto parts store or buy online.

At an auto parts store they will usually give you an option of different qualities. Usually the most expensive ones are about the same quality as OEM pads. I would buy those. The cheaper pads will work decent, but they will wear out faster.

I prefer to shop online. Check out rockauto.com. From there I'll google the different options they present to see if there is anything positive or negative about the brand/model. Then once I've settled on a few option I might buy I cross shop those parts on Amazon and Ebay and will buy from whichever of the 3 it is cheapest.

EDIT: Searched and found these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HO7B84 That is probably what I'd buy. Made in Korea just like your car likely from the same OEM supplier

So, I was doing some research online and it seems that for "weekend warriors" a dedicated track pad might not be the best choice. It says they're pretty stiff and will eat through rotors if you try to daily drive on them.

A few forums just recommend premium brake pads rather than something super expensive.

Here's what I found: TRW TPC1479 Premium Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pad Set and TRW TPC1099 Premium Ceramic Rear Disc Brake Pad Set. I've been wanting to upgrade to ceramics to reduce the brake dust on my wheels, but it seems they'll be pretty good for the occasional track use, too.

Any thoughts on these?

I pretty much entirely agree with /u/ItPeon_7919 -- though I thought I'd toss in another recommendation as well. Not that there's anything wrong with StopTech. I'm personally a big fan of EBC and use them for both street and track cars.


Front rotor pricing example:


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ebc-rk7740?rrec=true


($148 pair)
Rear:


https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ebc-rk7739?rrec=true


($105 pair)


For their pads, Ultimax is their OE replacement and probably fine for a normally driven daily 2.0L. Greenstuff if you want a bit of an upgrade over OEM and are a bit more of a spirited driver. Redstuff is their "nice" street compound, lowest amount of dust, and what I personally put on my daily, but I think you'd be fine with Green. Yellowstuff is more street/track hybrid.


Greenstuff pricing example:

https://www.amazon.com/EBC-Brakes-DP22171-Greenstuff-Sport/dp/B00YAZBJPG/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_3?keywords=2016+mazda+3+ebc+greenstuff&qid=1556314860&replacementKeywords=ebc+greenstuff&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull&vehicle=2016-80-2435------------&vehicleName=2016+Mazda+3


($73 full set)


Hope that helps!

Thanks for the recommendation! I assume you're talking about these?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AG7XSM

That looks like a good idea, seems to have good reviews and everything I need. Could I use the lube it comes with on the caliper pins as well?

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-BE1044-Blue-Disc-Brake/dp/B00MY3J9FI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1511287168&sr=8-3&keywords=brake+pads+ford+focus

This is a SUPER easy fix. Take the wheel off, undo one of the bolts on the caliper and flip it up - the pad falls out. Get a block of wood and push the pistons back in, insert new pad. Flip the caliper down. Bleed the brakes if you're feeling particularly completionist.

You can do two wheels in an hour, easy.

The drum brakes? Yeah, take those in. But do your own front discs next time!

I just changed the front brakes on my 01 330xi fronts to Akebono and after about 400 miles I love them. I changed the front rotors at the same time to OEM Ate. Previous owner had Jurid on the front which were dusty as hell but had amazing stopping power. I was worried about losing braking power and to be honest it took a good 150 miles before these fully seated but now they feel great.

Amazon

Pelican Parts

I've tried Bosch quietcast on my E36 and 4.4L X5 and they are terrible. Sure they may produce less dust but the stopping power is abysmal.

Brake Pads! I mean who puts brake pads on a wish list...someone who wants to win at the local track thats who! those tenths of seconds
And I'm going to be completely honest as a 17 yo guy who rarely reads comics boobs and a indepth story ahhah

Sounds like you have correctly identified the problem. If you are mechanically inclined, have a jack, some jack stands, and basic metric tools, its quite easy. You will probably also need a piston compressor**.

I was bored at work so I put this together for you.

You can get cheapo parts-store rotors for about $30-$40 each at AutoZone/Napa/etc. Or, for better quality, a basic EBC rotor is much better for $60/ea. Pads, you want to be a bit more selective. I recommend these StopTech.

• Jack up car, set jack stands
  
• remove wheel (19mm socket)
  
• unbolt caliper (2 17mm large bolts on backside of the wheel hub), slide it off, ziptie to suspension spring (do not remove brake line!!)
  
• slide off rotor (may need to hit it with a hammer)
  
• remove old pads from caliper
  
• remove brake fluid reservoir cap
  
• compress brake pistons back to flat (use compressor tool or see below)
  
• install new pads, making sure to put some brake grease on the back sides of the pads (where they contact the caliper). also make sure the metal "low pad" warning tab is on the inner pad of the two, and not interfering with anything.
  
• slide new rotor on (it will be loose/wobbly)
  
• slide caliper back onto rotor, bolt caliper on
  
• reinstall wheel
  
• repeat for other side
  
  _____
  
  
  **this piston compressor actually sucks for 2-piston calipers like your Outback has (in the front), because you can't put the compressor in the center, the middle finger of the caliper bracket is in the way (middle of the 3 in that picture).
  
  An alternative way to do it is to use 2 beefy screwdrivers. Put 1 of the old pads back in the caliper against the pistons (for something to push evenly against), then put 2 flathead screwdrivers into the caliper in an X fashion. Crude MSPaint drawing. Press either both forward or both backward to slowly compress the pistons back in.

For fluid, Motul RBF600: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004LEYJO4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's the best stuff that's reasonably priced that I've found. Most people I've asked about fluid run it as well.

As for pads, I've had good luck with Stoptech Street Performance, but I got them specifically for their inital cold-bite characteristics (since I'm usually on cold brakes). Don't use that link though, I don't think that's the right part number for the Miata.

But mainly the fluid change is the important part. On my FWD rallycross car it completely solved my fade issue (left foot braking for 1/3 of the lap is really hard on front brakes).

front and rear

Are these the ones you're talking about?

What would you recommend for brake pads then?

edit: Would you say these pads (front and rear) are good? I found them on rockauto in the performance section. I don't mind spending an extra $50 for more stopping power :)

I just got Bosch front pads for $40 and Bosch front rotors for $70. Replaced them myself on my Versa, so no labor. Only took about an hour, and I'm slow. Seems steep to me, but I'm not a mechanic.

EDIT: Well, I looked it up and you can get pads and rotors for less than me. Considering that you paid more than twice that for parts, I'd definitely say you're getting overcharged. I looked up the labor time too, and it should take no more than an hour.
Here are fitting pads for $28 and here are fitting Bosch rotors for $43.

Well, there are a number of people in this thread saying it's a fair price. I disagree, and would point out that I'm the only one posting links to ACTUAL prices. A markup on sales is reasonable for a business to make a profit; a markup that is over double the retail price is not.

If you track/autocross your car, EBC/Hawk are some good stuff.

If you only want OEM replacement, can't go wrong with Brembos for a whopping $38 for rear+45 (Type-S) or 50 (base) shipped to your door from Amazon.

Pads: Wagner ThermoQuiet

Stellar reviews.

Rotors: Centric Front Disc

This one seems to have good features like e-coating

You are being taken advantage of. Those part prices alone are at least double of what you can get them for. Some of the prices:

SE2625A Reman Brake Caliper: $130.99 on quote, $61.99 + $20 core charge at Napa

QC707 Front Brake Pads: $76.99 on quote, $28.67 on Amazon

31260 Front Brake Rotor: $88.99 on quote, $41.49 on AutoZone

432436 Radiator: $312.99 on quote, $131.99 on O'Reilly

I'm sure you can get other brands that are equivalent and potentially cheaper (see RockAuto.com).

You should take it to another shop (not another chain shop) and get a 2nd quote. Or better yet, buy the parts and either do them yourself (the brake stuff is really really easy), or find a mechanic that will charge you a reasonable labor rate.

http://www.amazon.com/Auto-120-0116-Disc-Brake-Pad/dp/B004HO7B84?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
This one right here, cheers!

I can do my own front brakes, with no power tools, in about 2-3 hours. Firestone, with this coupon, is $200 for the front brakes, these are the pads they use. So it's almost $175 in labor there, with the coupon, assuming they don't still charge you for parts, which is not explained on the coupon.

I don't get paid $87 an hour, so it's seriously worth it for me to do my own. I can get mine and my girls done in one sweatty greasey morning, and save $350 over paying some teenage grease monkey to do it for me.