[302 Z28]

The wife's 2008 Nissan Altima needed new front brake pads. I started looking at all the obvious place, local NAPA, AutoZone, Orielly and such. Every single one of them had Chinese brake pads, even their premium line are Chinese. I then got online and searched for alternatives to Chinese brake pads. I ran across another forum and a discussion on Chinese brake pads. One post mentioned a company named Akebono. Turns out Akebono is an OEM supplier of brake pads and shoes to just about all the auto makers. Found a site that handles Akebono brake pads and shoes Auto Parts Warehouse | Car Parts & Accessories, Truck Parts, Discount Auto Body Parts Online and Akebone pads are made in the USA. Ordered a set last week and got them a few minutes ago

Vince

[E.Furgal]

try advanced..

[poncho62]

I work part time driving for NAPA....Noticed the other day that some premium pads we are getting in are made in India too......

Vince, you are implying that OEM parts are better. I wouldnt be so sure of that. My sister in law just did her brakes on her new this year 2012 Dodge van......at 22,000km (13,000 miles)...Sure, warrenty covered it, but really..........

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by poncho62

I work part time driving for NAPA....Noticed the other day that some premium pads we are getting in are made in India too......

Vince, you are implying that OEM parts are better. I wouldnt be so sure of that. My sister in law just did her brakes on her new this year 2012 Dodge van......at 22,000km (13,000 miles)...Sure, warrenty covered it, but really..........

I had a similar problem with my then brand new Chevy crewcab dually. Factory pads lasted 7,000 mi (yeah, I'm hard on brakes, but not THAT hard). After much complaining, the dealership replaced them with identical factory pads - those lasted EXACTLY 7,000 miles again.

At that point I just started doing the brakes myself with NAPA severe duty pads and the mileage is SIGNIFICANTLY better. The problem is that the factory pads are purposely designed to be soft to avoid complaints about brake squeaks.

[joe_padavano]

By the way, I've had a much bigger problem with Chinesium brake drums. On two different vehicles I installed brand new, out of the box rear drums as part of a brake job and on both vehicles the drums were out of round. This caused the self adjusters to exercise as the shoes were moved back and forth on the backing plate, eventually causing the rear brakes to drag and lock up. In both cases, turning these brand new drums fixed the problem, but WTF!

[66GMC]

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

By the way, I've had a much bigger problem with Chinesium brake drums. On two different vehicles I installed brand new, out of the box rear drums as part of a brake job and on both vehicles the drums were out of round. This caused the self adjusters to exercise as the shoes were moved back and forth on the backing plate, eventually causing the rear brakes to drag and lock up. In both cases, turning these brand new drums fixed the problem, but WTF!

Not making excuses, but it may have to to with how they are shipped and stored. A Brake drum or rotor should always be laid flat, not on edge.

I would also think that they (especially drums) shouldn't be stacked any more than about 6 boxes deep.

[E.Furgal]

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

I had a similar problem with my then brand new Chevy crewcab dually. Factory pads lasted 7,000 mi (yeah, I'm hard on brakes, but not THAT hard). After much complaining, the dealership replaced them with identical factory pads - those lasted EXACTLY 7,000 miles again.

At that point I just started doing the brakes myself with NAPA severe duty pads and the mileage is SIGNIFICANTLY better. The problem is that the factory pads are purposely designed to be soft to avoid complaints about brake squeaks.

winnar winnar chicken dinnar

[E.Furgal]

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

By the way, I've had a much bigger problem with Chinesium brake drums. On two different vehicles I installed brand new, out of the box rear drums as part of a brake job and on both vehicles the drums were out of round. This caused the self adjusters to exercise as the shoes were moved back and forth on the backing plate, eventually causing the rear brakes to drag and lock up. In both cases, turning these brand new drums fixed the problem, but WTF!

but was it the way they where made, OR they way they get man handled by everyone from factory to store level..
we sent back about 15 because the pallet had them standing up.. and about 1500 lb of rotors on top.. not really made for that type of thing..

[302 Z28]

Originally Posted by E.Furgal

try advanced..

Not one my area but I did go on their web site, same thing Chinese.

Vince

[302 Z28]

Originally Posted by poncho62

I work part time driving for NAPA....Noticed the other day that some premium pads we are getting in are made in India too......

Vince, you are implying that OEM parts are better. I wouldnt be so sure of that. My sister in law just did her brakes on her new this year 2012 Dodge van......at 22,000km (13,000 miles)...Sure, warrenty covered it, but really..........

I did not say I bought OEM pads, I bought pads made by Akebono an OEM supplier but I bought their best ceramic severe duty pads.

Vince

[66GMC]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

Not one my area but I did go on their web site, same thing Chinese.

Vince

Sadly, it's getting harder and harder to find things built in USA or Canada with each passing day.

Do you guys ever watch shows like Dragon's Den or Shark Tank?
These guys are the BIG players and investors an ALL they care about is the bottom line.

Some woman was on there trying to get investment for baby stuff, and it turned out that she was paying almost $30.00 per unit for raw materials and labor, and having a tough time selling them for $32.50.
<wince>
The VERY FIRST question was: "Have you looked into having these items produced off-shore"

Her reply: "Yes, and I will be able to lower my landed cost for materials, labor, and freight to about $11.00 per unit.

We're doing it to ourselves, people! ...

[E.Furgal]

Originally Posted by 302 Z28

Not one my area but I did go on their web site, same thing Chinese.

Vince

I'll have to double check.. but the ceramic and the platnum and most of the gold are made here.. iirc the mid west
the silvers...(cheap line) where wagners untill the stock runs out..

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by 66GMC

Not making excuses, but it may have to to with how they are shipped and stored. A Brake drum or rotor should always be laid flat, not on edge.

I would also think that they (especially drums) shouldn't be stacked any more than about 6 boxes deep.

Agreed, but unfortunately there's no way to know this when you buy them.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by 66GMC

Sadly, it's getting harder and harder to find things built in USA or Canada with each passing day.

Here's another example. I got tired of replacing the heater control valve on my Olds Custom Cruiser every month or so with another "white box" made in Mexico valve. I finally went to the dealership and ordered a factory AC Delco valve (at great personal expense). When I picked it up (took a week to arrive), I turned the Delco box over and it also said "Made in Mexico".

[Jim Rockford]

the guy that buy a ****ing nissan car , is complaining about import part...humm.