Forum advice on Toyota Corolla brakes.....

Folks,

Just acquired a new (to me) Corolla for DD duties.

The inspection garage found a couple of minor problems. The only one that needs short term attention is the front brake pads.

Do Toyota brakes need factory pads, (Like Hondas)?

Is it OK to go to Rockauto and buy a midrange pad kit?

Factory pads=$75. Rockauto = $30 Any recommended brands/models if I go this way?

What say the tribe?

Thanks,

Rog

I've owned a 2001 corolla since new and unless something has changed you can use any old pad. Though I didn't see you specify the year of yours.

2008

you should be good. I am still on the factory rotors at 210000 miles. They do need replaced now really but eh. ;)

I like the premium pads from O'Reilley's on my DD's.

I recommend ceramic simply because that is oem compound and way less dust, but any of the big names like centric, raybestos, bosch, power stop, or beck arney. I like to get their wholesaler closeout stuff, it's offbrand but still good pads for cheap.

My rule of thumb when it comes to brakes it to buy nice stuff. After all, what use is a slab of metal capable of 100+ MPH if it can't stop?

I asked similar earlier this week.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/which-padsrotors-12-focus-rock-auto-choices/107304/page1/

In reply to gunner:

How many times have you used ceramic and how often have you been satisfied? Every stinking time I put ceramic on, even if the factory calls for it it's a terrible braking experience. Doesn't dust but doesn't stop either.

Centric PosiQuiet pads in semi-metallic is my go-to recommendation for just about everything.

I've had good luck with Power Stop.

In reply to chiodos:

Depends on the application. our sienna came factory with ceramic and the 2nd set of pads I had on there was semi metallic. tons of dust, not better stoppers. Have ceramic again and stops well and low dust. The corolla I have didn't come with ceramic pads that I know of oem and I've never had them on there either. So I'd say I've had a different experience with ceramic than you have.

Javelin wrote: Centric PosiQuiet pads in semi-metallic is my go-to recommendation for just about everything.

Yeah, had these on an Acura Legend and they were pretty good, but, man, did they dust like crazy.

Hey,

Thanks for all the input. The owners manual doesn't say anything about the pad material. I snooped around on the web, but didn't find anything that felt like a knowledgable source.

Does anyone know what the OEM pad material is for this car? Or, a good spec source on the web?

Thanks again,

Rog

In reply to boulder_dweeb:

I believe someone mentioned that the OEM material is ceramic. Thats what I would recommend for DD use. Hell I even use ceramic on my miata which is dd/track car.