Although some aftermarket rotors might be made of higher-quality components than OEM rotors, this difference may not be as significant as you might assume. What counts is if the rotor was designed to work with the OEM brake pads.
An aftermarket brake rotor may regularly overheat and sustain damage if used with OEM brake pads. The disparity between the parts’ hardness and softness is a major cause of the incompatibility. For instance, after only 10,000 miles, an aftermarket rotor that is too soft for OEM brake pads can become worn or distorted. The OEM brake pads will quickly wear out and lose their ability to grip the rotor if an aftermarket rotor is too harsh for them.
OEM rotors meet your need for a rotor that will perform best with OEM brake pad materials.
Having said that, OEM Toyota rotors are crafted with premium metals that are designed to last. Therefore, you may be very confident that an OEM replacement rotor will work properly for you for a very long period.
In This Article...
Do rotors get made by Akebono?
Akebono offers the automotive industry sophisticated braking and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) solutions along with superior stopping power, quiet performance, extended pad and rotor life, and more than 90 years of experience in brake design and production. Using Akebono, a leader in ceramic friction technology, you can ride more comfortably and maintain cleaner wheels.
What factory produces Akebono rotors?
The business has established itself as a valuable resource for top OEMs, Tier I brake suppliers, and the automotive aftermarket thanks to its dedication to innovation, process improvement, quality control, and customer service. Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Stellantis, Subaru, Toyota, and Volvo are some of the major auto OEM clients. For these manufacturers, Akebono is pleased to offer cutting-edge brake solutions, and we stand behind our goods with unmatched service and support.
With the use of the Akebono Production System, Akebono produces a variety of brake friction materials and foundation brake components, such as disc brake calipers, drum brakes, and the newest EPB (electronic park brake) braking technology (APS). The APS methodology uses tried-and-true quality control methods to ensure low process variation across the whole production cycle. Through widespread use, APS enables the business to routinely create fewer than 0.1 faults per million components.
With 30 totally owned or connected facilities, including two production plants in Kentucky and one in Mexico, Akebono manufactures brake friction materials and components all over the world through R&D technical centers it operates in the US, Japan, and France. All of Akebono’s operations have obtained the necessary ISO/TS16949 certifications and have received several accolades for their performance and quality from clients.
Discover our selection of Ultra-Premium Brake Pads, which were created by OE engineers to satisfy the demands of our aftermarket clients. You’ll discover that Akebono is actually the key to braking. Find a local Akebono dealer to receive the safety, dependability, and performance that only a leader in the braking industry can offer.
Is Akebono a reliable name?
Some aftermarket brake pads don’t offer the same value as OE brake pads. Some aftermarket brake pads far surpass those made by original equipment manufacturers in quality. Choosing a reputed brand is the greatest method to get a better pad.
We have examined hundreds of various brake pads as brake pad experts. We can confirm that Akebono is one of the top manufacturers of brake pads.
A well-known company with a history in the brake parts sector is Akebono. More specifically, ceramic friction technology is an area where Akebono is renowned for breaking new ground. The brake pads from Akebono are made of a unique combination of ceramic compositions. These compositions offer a plethora of advantages that significantly elevate Akebono brake pads beyond their OEM competitors. These advantages consist of:
- increased pad life
- increased rotor life
- less sand
- more forceful halting
We offer three types of top-notch Akebono brake pads. Let’s examine each one’s main focus.
Does Akebono produce brake pads for Toyotas?
Proact Ultra-Premium Disc Brake Pad Kit for Toyota and Lexus Models Released by Akebono, Expanding Coverage by Nearly 3.0 Million Vehicles.
Must I purchase OEM rotors?
OEM rotors are made with the performance of the braking system in mind. They are created using the appropriate specifications and materials. You may rest easy knowing that the replacement rotors you use are genuine OEM parts and will function properly for a long period. You can always get your new OEM rotors changed under warranty if something goes wrong with them.
Are OEM brakes preferable to aftermarket brakes?
OEM parts are the same as the parts that were initially installed at the factory; OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. Every component you see on a new car is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part.
The quality of an OEM replacement component is ensured when you purchase one because it was created especially for your vehicle. This is especially true of brake pads because braking systems are frequently created to maximize the performance of a particular pad. Several factors make OEM brake pads crucial:
- OEM pads often produce little to no dust and are quiet. One of the most common complaints that buyers have about their vehicles is brake noise, which is bothersome. OEM pads are frequently made to be silent. Regarding brake dust, it can corrode rims in addition to making them appear bad. OEM pads are made to create little to no dust.
- A system that has been expertly balanced includes brake pads. There’s a fair chance that the brake system in your car was built around the brake pads the manufacturer selected. This is due to the fact that brake pads serve as the brake system’s “heart.” The system will be noisy and produce a lot of dust if it isn’t built with the pads in mind.
- OEM pads are produced with meticulous precision. Fitting brake pads correctly is crucial since a pad that isn’t exactly the right size or dimension will function poorly. These problems can occasionally just be loud noise (squealing and scraping), a lot of dust, or a limited lifespan. Because of the precise tolerances required by Honda, OEM pads fit perfectly.
- Your safety depends on your brake pads. Honda and other major automakers are aware that their customers’ safety and wellbeing are crucial to the success of their business. Therefore, OEM brake pads are always of the highest caliber.
Is Akebono closing its doors?
The U.S. division of a Japanese company that makes car brakes was among those negatively impacted when automotive behemoth General Motors went under during hard economic times.
Are any brake rotors produced in the United States?
I try to buy goods made in the United States or Canada since I am a bit traditional and really patriotic. I emailed Centric wondering if their rotors and drums were still built in the USA because I was aware that aftermarket parts are frequently made overseas. The president of Zeckhausen Racing responded as follows:
For use in the aftermarket, brake rotors are no longer produced in the United States or Canada. All of the “domestic brands” (Raybestos, Wagner, Bendix, Centric, Motorcraft, Delco) that you may be familiar with are produced in China or Taiwan. The US and Canadian factories and foundries that previously produced for the aftermarket have ceased operations. Furthermore, a sizable amount of the aftermarket rotors used by European brands (such as Brembo, ATE, TRW, etc.) are imported from China and Taiwan. Even in Mexico, rotor production is now all but nonexistent.
StopTech and Power Slot are owned by Centric Parts. The engineering and design of each Centric Premium, StopTech SportStop, and Power Slot rotor is completed in-house, and Centric then oversees the exacting manufacturing procedures in Asia. They specify exclusive casting and production methods. Every component is E-coated, double disc ground, balanced, and matches the OEM vane designs (electrostatically applied black finish to all non-swept surfaces). All of these OE features and benefits are not provided by the majority of rival brands. Here is a link to some more information: All brake rotors are not made equally, according to The Centric Advantage
In my experience, persons who are worried about either one or both of the following are the ones who ask this inquiry concerning the nation of origin:
1. They wish to avoid purchasing components made in particular nations due to quality concerns.
2. They desire American-made components out of patriotism.
There are either good news or negative news, depending on your goal. The good news is that the origin nation does not accurately predict brake rotor quality. The bad news (from a patriotic standpoint) is that there are no longer any brake rotors and drums made in the United States. Some merchants advertise USA manufacturing while selling blanks that were manufactured (slotted and/or drilled) abroad. By the way, centrifugal rotors are machined in the USA.
We only sell brakes, frequently to professional and amateur racers, and we have had nothing but excellent experiences with Centric, Power Slot, and StopTech rotors. They produce, in our opinion, the best aftermarket rotors anywhere in the globe.
We will be pleased to give you the component numbers, cost, and availability of the brake goods you require if you let us know the year, make, and model of your car as well as the kinds of braking products you want. We will make particular product recommendations to fit your needs if you have any special requirements (such as towing, racing, etc.).
Where are rotors for Bosch brakes made?
dependable and secure One of the top producers of brake system components worldwide is Bosch. Bosch production plants in Jurez (Mexico), Shanghai, and Nanjing create brake pads in accordance with the strictest quality standards (China).
Which is superior, Akebono or Brembo?
Around the car communities, Akebono, Brembo, and Wagner brake pads are frequently compared, so I thought I’d weigh in.
All three are reputable manufacturers, of course. That does not imply that their brakes are identical to one another. You should consider your car’s manufacture and your preferences, such as minimal dusting, less fading, and more aggressive biting.
When to choose Akebono: ProAct brake pads are some of the least dusty available (check latest prices here). Additionally, the innovative ceramic construction of their (US-made!) braking rotors results in the least amount of rotor wear and tear imaginable.
Notably, Akebono is the finest option for OEM replacements for European cars. Just be certain to purchase their Euro ceramic pads (this type). the sole aftermarket pads specifically designed for European cars.
When to choose Brembo: Brembo is for people who enjoy more daring driving, as the stunning red shims demonstrate. The brake pads from Brembo feature a stronger bite and better stopping force. Yes, even when contrasted to the performance lines of Wagner or Akebono.
Three layers of carefully constructed Elastomer-Steel-Elastomer make up Brembo’s iconic red shims. The outcome? In more extreme circumstances, there will be less noise and less shaking. But let’s dust a little more.
When to choose Wagner: Akebono performs extremely similarly to Wagner pads. ThermoQuiet pads (available in kits here) will give you a smoother bite, extremely reduced dusting, and excellent heat resistance.
The TQs’ main advantage is how quiet they are because of their “one-piece” pad design. This will be covered later in the article. TQs, by far, are the quietest aftermarket pads currently available.
So, to conclude before I delve deeper into my analysis of these tree brands:
Do Akebono brakes come from the USA?
The most well-known brand of original equipment manufacturer brake pads in North America is Akebono, which is proudly produced there. Shop our ultra-premium collection of Akebono brake pads at NAPA Auto Parts when it’s time to replace your brake pads.