Need new rotors and brake pads. Which one to buy.

hi all.

Like my title says, I need new rotors and brake pads. Can you kindly advice which is a good one folks here buy/get? 41K. First time changing pads and rotors. Took my truck in recently for 40K service and service tech told me that I barely have any brakes up front. I have after market wheels and 285's. Said that the rotors have 'heat spots' and changing pads alone won't help, that they rotors also needs changed or else the new pads would make squealing noise. Is this true?

While I'd not like to take apart my wheels and brakes twice and take care of all the issues, I also don't know if my rotors needs to be changed. I have heard of warped rotors. But the service tech didn't say that.

Need suggestions for pads and rotors to buy. Much appreciate your time. Thank you!

 

In terms of brake pads, the Toyota OEM ones are the way to go.

 

Guessing the rotors are too bad to just get turned? Did they discuss that with you?

 

any pads will do. i'd go to a brake shop and see if the rotors can be resurfaced before buying a new set.

beat me to it!

 

I asked if they can be re-surpfaced, and I was told over the phone that rotors with 'heat spots' make squealing noise if re-surfaced or not after the pads are changed. I don't know if he's true or not. But a pair of rotors these days don't cost too much so I am thinking of buying rotors too.
If everyone's of the opinion to go with OEM, then I could buy OEM. I thought this was an opportunity to upgrade/look for anything better than OEM.
Thanks

 

You won't go wrong with OEM.

 

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

You might want to do an inspection of the brakes yourself to verify. Does your brake pedal pulsate when you stop? If there is no damage to the rotor and everything is within spec you might not have to change anything.

In regard to rotors you would want to check the thickness in multiple spots and verify on the rotor what the minimum thickness is to make sure it's above that. If you do decide to get the rotors machined or replace them it might be more cost effective to just replace them since rotors don't really cost that much. When I had access to a brake lathe for free I might have turned the rotors but now instead of paying for that service I'd just replace mine.

 

Brembo blanks (not drilled or slotted) and either EBC or Hawk LTS pads. Tirerack has them.

 

If you put on bigger tires it's a nice opportunity to get some pads/rotors that can help dissipate heat better to compensate a bit for the heavier tires. I like EDC, I put some of their slotted and dimpled rotors on my 2nd gen and they were pretty sweet. Ceramic pads as well, just don't get them if you're a little OCD about dust on the wheels. Price is pretty comparable to OEM with a slight performance gain there.

 

Akebono premium brake pads you won’t wear those pads out anytime soon and spend less time cleaning your wheels.

 

Yeah just get new rotors. They're not THAT much. Then when u go to do another brake job, you can get those old ones turned and just swap em out, no waiting. I think @SpeySquatch went with slotted and dimpled rotors with yellow stuff pads from ebc, if I'm remembering correctly. That's what I'm gonna do when my pass go out.

 

At 40K miles, I'd turn the rotors for less than $20.

 

Whatever you do just don't get drilled rotors. I cringe every time I see a TRUCK with that crap.

Even all my friends who race, none of them use drilled too prone to cracking, takes away surface area and their original purpose isn't even needed anymore: modern brake pad material doesn't offgas like the 90s.

 

Turning rotors is a waste of money and time. Every time I've turned the rotors, they've "warped" within a few weeks. It's a band-aid solution.

 

Came to post this. Stoptech or Brembo rotors, Hawk pads FTW. With as fast as you wore out the stock parts I would not go back to stock pads and rotors...

 

I've never had warped rotors even when turned. It takes an immense heat to warp rotors though brake deposits can make the rotors feel warped.

 

In the old days turning rotor was the way to go, but now they are so cheap that it is almost a waste to do so. Not to mention that they make them as thin as possible now and you run the risk as described by @hoch

As for rotors, they are steel. It really doesn't matter what brand. Most are made in China, but so is everything else. Steel is steel.

Pads on the other hand, I prefer OEM. They tend to have the least dust, and the least likely to squeal. I have never had good luck with aftermarket pads. Unless you have a specific need such as frequent high speed braking because you are racing and want to minimize brake fade, you do not need exotic pads or slotted/drilled rotors. I have used TRD pads in the past. They stopped just the same as the OEM pads, but made a ton of dust.

 

Indeed I did (EBC brand), but I did green stuff pads. Should have done the yellow. The green stop fine, but are DIRTY, yellow seem more ideal for the weight and utility of these trucks

 

Unless you're doing HPDE events, you most likely won't every truly warp rotors. Which is why I put quotes around it.

Either case, it just doesn't make any sense to turn rotors.