Brakes: Part 5 (Quality brake parts)

What brands can be trusted? There are many manufacturers that make great products, and finding them is sometimes hit or miss. When I first purchased my shop, the previous owners were using AutoZone’s Duralast Gold product because it costs about half as much as other products. Although it is sold as a ceramic pad, it is only a partial ceramic, semi-metallic pad. About 30% of our clients were coming back to complain about brake noise. To solve the problem, the owners were applying a product called ‘Stop Squeal‘ to the back of the brake pad. The gel, or paste, absorbs vibration and sound and would temporarily eliminate the noise. However, it was a temporary fix until the paste washed off and the noise began again. Don’t let your mechanic use this stuff.