OEM vs Aftermarket Rotors

Has anyone found any aftermarket rotors that they prefer over the OEMs? I'm ready for new ones after 122,000 miles on the originals. I'm thinking it would be hard to beat that for longevity and performance...

 

only other than OEM I would consider is BREMBO rotors

 

I hate to say it, but I've learned my lesson with aftermarket parts. (Way too many times.) In almost every case, you just can't beat OEM Toyota parts over the long run.

 

I don't know how you would improve upon OEM? I put 140K on mine, turned them, and working on my next 140K.

 

I have no experience with them, but a number of folks seem happy with the Power Stop K137 Front Ceramic Brake Pad and Cross Drilled/Slotted Combo Rotor One-Click Brake Kit.

 

I'm always exceptionally wary of cross drilled aftermarket rotors. Small stress fractures due to the drilling can cause catastrophic failure to the brake disc under load, literally causing the disc to grenade, the brake caliper to lock closed and the remaining portion of the partially grenaded rotor to lock against the closed caliper putting the vehicle into a violent non-recoverable fatal spin. While our trucks are not race cars on a track, I will never condone a product that has failed at such extreme costs on the track. The original purpose of cross drilling was to alleviate asbestos pads off gassing which is largely not an issue anymore. Instead look for vented/dimpled/slotted rotors. But not cross drilled.

 

My OEM brake rotors warped so bad in 12k miles that they could not be cut. They were not off by a few thousandths, they were off by a spark plug gap. I have never had a problem with warped rotors before. My opinion of OEM brake rotors is not good. I went with Raybestos and don't have any problems now.

 

How bout Stoptech? That's probably the only aftermarket rotor I would consider.

 

I tend to agree but Toyota OEM has always given me short life (20k), such as warped rotors, whether it's Tacoma or Camry. I went with k137 to try out. It was cheap enough due to open package from Amazon.

 

I've also heard tales like this but, since I have no first-hand experience, simply wanted to pass along what (at least some) others were saying about the option. I also place a bit of emphasis on the fact that our trucks are not race cars and, therefore, our brakes shouldn't see the kind of extreme use normally associated with the kind of failures you describe.

For anyone reading, I guess I'd label this a YMMV proposition, but at least some are happy with their k137 purchase.

 

One of my automotive engineering instructors lost a friend this way on the track. Exceptionally unlikely on the street, but I have got my brakes so hot they nearly stop working on long steep trail descents, thanks to running an auto. Personally I play it conservative with brakes and avoid cross drilled unless it is OEM.

Worth a quick look:
http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/dangerous-cross-drilled-rotors/

 

No preference either way, but I stuck a set of Bosch Quiet Cast rotors with Wagner Thermo Quiet pads on last year and haven't had any issues with them after 10Kish miles.

$60 BOSCH 50011243 QuietCast Premium Disc Brake Rotor - Compatible with Select Toyota 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Tacoma; FRONT - Single

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AG6KMC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$35 Wagner QC976 Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PL5818/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Looks like the price on each have gone up on them.

 

I put cross and drilled on mine a few months ago and haven't had any cracks or brake fade.

On my race cars I have slotted and on my towing truck I put slotted. I changed out all brake fluid to amsoil dot 4.

 

I'm the opposite; I rarely buy OEM. As long as you stick with reputable aftermarket vendors, you will find comparable or better then OEM quality and, usually, more affordable pricing.

I put EBC rotors on my Taco at 73K. They are significantly more than OEM, but I off-road and wanted what I perceived to be above-average quality. Had the OEM rotors turned and have them as backups. Have Wagners on wife's Lexus and Dura rotors on the Camry and Corolla. Have used Raybestos before on the Lexus. All have been problem free.

 

EBC makes good quality stuff. That will likely be what I put on my Taco after the OEMs wear out. I've tried experimenting with other brands but have not found anything I like as much as EBC.

 

Drilled rotors are just for show cars, slots are OK if done right--read more here...

 

I don't have much to support this claim but I remember reading somewhere that a majority of all your name brand rotors all come from the same supplier. Some treat them different (cryo), do a different finish like paint the hubs or whatever, but many are all the same. I don't see a reason for running cross drilled on a truck, slotted either really. You'll just go through pads faster. There's nothing wrong with blanks on a properly vented rotor. Now if you really want a difference look for angled internal veins, which to my knowledge don't exist in aftermarket for the Tacoma. The angled veins help to expel heat from the inside of the rotor better. Stock we only have straight veins.

http://www.cquence.net/blog/brake-rotor-vein-design/

Onto pads, this is where a difference can be felt. Performance Friction makes OEM replacement pads (0976.20). I've ran their Z compounds in my BMW before and those were awesome. Don't know how different the Carbon Metallics would feel. Hawk's I've had nothing but trouble with in two separate vehicles, screw them. EBC I always seem to hear good things about but have never tried them. Wagner's I've ran on family member's vehicles and they don't really complain, but a common issue seems to be they squeak when in reverse only. If all else fails I could just pay up for the TRD pads, which no one seems to know who actually makes them.

 

From the link you posted it seems the drilled aren't for high performance.

800 plus hp car doing 200mph I don't think it matter if it's drill or slotted cause those cars boil their fluid and have a lot of brake fade if they can use them.

 

I never have had a gripe or squeak from Wagner Platinum pads.

 

Yep. I went with StopTech because they made the TRD big brake kit. StopTech is better than OEM with the E-coat on the hat to prevent corrosion buildup. I went with slotted rotors: