Choosing brake pads for a VAZ - what to look for?

It is impossible to imagine driving a car without reliable and effective brakes. Vehicle safety and people's lives depend on them.

Recently, the number of sales of VAZ cars has been increasing, which leads to an increase in demand for consumables, including brake pads. For VAZ cars, the car market offers a wide range of elements for brake systems. They are divided according to the materials used in production, their methods of fixation and brands.

In our rating, we will help highlight the Top leading brands of brake pad manufacturers for VAZ cars, guaranteeing their quality.

AC Delco

The brand is registered in the USA (a division of General Motors). One of the best brake pads used in many car models, including VAZ cars. They are reliable, last a long time, and are easy to install. Efficiency, safety, reliability, heat removal from the rotor, ensures the use of advanced technologies in the production process. Specialists have created a special semi-metallic composite mixture using steel fibers.

ACDelco has been tested to SAE J2784 standards and is proven to provide high friction braking performance. The pads have slots and chamfers that suppress noise, vibration and harshness when braking.

The drum pads are reliably protected with an anti-corrosion coating. The environmentally friendly production process does not use heavy metals or asbestos. They are similar in shape to the original brake system components and no adjustment is required during installation.

Advantages:

• reliability;
• strength;
• durability;

Flaws:

• high price.

Is Bosch as good as they make it out to be?

Probably, the first answer to the question about the best pads for many motorists would be Bosch. Indeed, we all know the quality equipment of this manufacturer well and understand its advantages very well. In auto parts, this company has proven itself to be excellent and has become one of the best brands in the whole world. But Bosch pads are not produced at a factory in Germany, and their quality today is not much different from budget solutions with a price tag half as low. There are such features of this product:

• the quality in reality is no longer proven by the tests that Bosch previously carried out for all its equipment; production in China has greatly damaged the reliability of the products;
• braking coefficients in independent tests specifically for Bosch equipment often do not fit into any framework, which clearly interferes with the normal operation of the car;
• the braking time on the heated pads of this corporation (in the budget class) increases to unlimited values, so it’s worth thinking about the feasibility of spending;
• the quality of the materials used directly depends on the price of the product, and the cheapest Bosch pads are not made from the most reliable raw materials, which leads to problems;
• When braking, you can hear a constant squeal and an unpleasant grinding sound - such elements of the braking system can easily damage the original brake disc.

The legend that all Bosch spare parts are of the highest quality, reliable and successful is not justified. Experts are increasingly abandoning these products and moving to products from specialized brands. So the time has come to change your policy regarding the purchase of spare parts. However, in the Bosch model line there are expensive pads suitable for VAZ. They fully justify themselves and turn out to be durable.

Bosch BC905 Quiet Cast

The German brand Bosch is famous for its quality products. This brand produces ceramic and semi-metallic brake pads with effective braking capabilities. The manufacturer uses cast pad technology, which protects the nozzles, provides stability, strength, and noise reduction. Slots and chamfers with original design ensure good fit and performance.

The gasket with a rubber core has good insulating properties and provides quiet and soft braking. The kit includes fasteners and synthetic lubricant. These parts are suitable for cars whose drivers prefer ceramics, but do not want to lose speed in extreme conditions.

Advantages:

• low dust levels;
• use of aerospace alloy;
• reliable protective layer.

Flaws:

• high price.

Let's sum it up

Using quality parts and accessories for your car is a must. If you decide to service the VAZ braking system, buy only reliable equipment with a factory guarantee. This can be done quite simply by contacting official dealers and suppliers of specific products. But you can also simply buy a fake, which is of no quality at all and will only last for a few weeks. Therefore, be careful when purchasing, check the factory documents and other features of the product offered to you.

Only use pads you can trust. Don't buy products you haven't heard of, and forget about the cheapest offers. They use unreliable materials that cannot ensure the proper level of operational safety. Therefore, with such elements in the braking module, the ride will not be confident. Always keep an eye on the remaining layer of the working part. Its thickness should be at least 15-20% of the original values. Read the car's owner's manual and see what recommendations the manufacturer gives for operating the brake system. How often do you usually change the brake pads on your car?

STS

The Russian company “STS Company” produces good quality products for the low-price niche.

They have good friction properties and thermal stability. Together with the Friction Materials Group company (monitoring compliance with norms and standards), a unique friction composition of 15 components was created. “STS Company” produces a large line of brake pads for rear and front discs, suitable for the entire model range of VAZ cars. Based on the test results, it was found that at a speed of 100 km/h, with cold brakes, it showed good friction coefficients of 0.48.

ROSDOT

A team of experienced professionals and JSC TIIR, with the participation of European specialists, create elements of brake systems for VAZ cars from harmless friction materials. The raw materials for the friction composite do not contain asbestos, nickel, or copper; they are purchased in Austria and Germany, some of which have no analogues in Russia.

Considering their low cost, ROSDOT brake pads have good wear-resistant characteristics and heat dissipation. Thanks to the use of Italian mastic, the pads do not emit extraneous noise at low temperatures and when they get wet. In terms of price-quality ratio, Rosdot front and rear brake pads have no equal. The products maintain stability of the friction coefficient over the entire operating range of temperatures, speeds and pressures;

Advantages:

• high braking efficiency;
• ergonomics;
• disc-saving properties;
• reasonable price.

Flaws:

• wear out quickly.

Brake pad material

The requirements for the material from which brake pads are made are extremely contradictory, and both the service life and the efficiency of the finished product largely depend on a successful compromise between the properties:

• Heat resistance: When braking hard, enormous kinetic energy is converted into heat. The brake pad should not change its properties when heated and transfer heat as quickly as possible to the substrate and then to the brake mechanism. Low-quality products, when the surface overheats, seem to “glaze over” - the working plane becomes covered with a hard and slippery crust, due to which the braking efficiency is significantly reduced. To combat this, sports cars and motorcycles use perforated brake discs, which clean the surface of the pads (but also accelerate their wear). Conventional cars have smooth surface brake discs, and glazing of the pads is much more dangerous for them.
• Durability: the pad should not crack or wear out quickly. Typically, the block material is reinforced with copper or brass shavings, less often with steel; polymer materials are also used. Reinforcement makes the pad stronger and increases thermal conductivity, but at the same time it increases disc wear.

Advice. The most preferred pads are those with polymer reinforcement, since they wear out the discs the least, followed by those with shavings made of non-ferrous metals.

• Abrasive action: friction of the pad against the brake disc is necessary for the brakes to work, but at the same time it leads to abrasion of the disc itself. Here you have to look for a compromise: you can’t reduce friction too much, but frequent replacement of disks won’t make the car owner happy.

  Uneven brake disc wear

EzATI

Manufacturer: Yegoryevsk plant of asbestos technical products. The range of pads competes with Western similar products, with prices 30% lower. E55 code pads are made without the use of asbestos in the friction material, using expensive organic elements. Such pads are recommended for use in cars whose drivers love fast and aggressive driving (friction coefficient 0.46). With this driving style, their service life is 40-45 thousand km.

Pads with code T266 with stable performance characteristics and effective braking (friction coefficient 0.37). The manufacturer declares in the documentation a service life of 20-25 thousand km with a calm driving style, without constant overloads and emergency braking.

When installed, these products do not require adjustment and ensure performance for the entire declared service life. The products meet the requirements of AvtoVAZ and are supplied to its conveyors. Considering multiple counterfeits, the company, as part of product protection, began to paint metal frames using triboelectric spraying with blue polymer materials. In addition to protection against counterfeiting, this method creates mechanical and corrosion resistance, as well as a beautiful appearance.

TEXTAR

This company, founded in 1913, has managed to do a lot over the century of its history: cooperate with the largest automakers in Germany, produce many pads and change the principles of their production several times, constantly introducing new technologies. Having our own research laboratory allows us to improve in the search for the ideal technology.

Of course, the cost of most models is far from budget, but the high quality of the products offsets the high cost. So it’s worth taking a closer look at TEXTAR - maybe this is what you need?

9.8 /10 rating

Advantages

• high quality of the final product;
• constant improvement of creation technologies;
• excellent characteristics;
• great production history.

Flaws

• the price is above average.

Vati

JSC "VATI-AVTO" produces good environmentally friendly pads for domestic cars, this positions the products as safe for the environment, thereby satisfying European standards and safety requirements.

Friction properties in cold conditions and high temperatures after warming up show good results. Test results: at a speed of 100 km/h, with cold brakes, the friction coefficient is 0.35, when they are heated to 250 degrees, the coefficient increases to 0.37. During the mountain test cycle, the braking coefficient is 0.40, and during cooling – 0.47. The products are characterized by good wear resistance, no dust formation, and a gentle effect on brake discs.

Advantages:

• good quality/price ratio;
• durability;
• work without squeaks and noises;

Flaws:

• limited model range.

How to choose pads?

The appearance and markings of the pad can say a lot about them. In particular, the marking contains an indication of the friction coefficient, indicated by two letters (averaged during heating - the first letter, averaged after cooling - the second). Unfortunately, it can not always be found:

Attention! If the second letter does not match the first (for example, GE), it is best to refrain from purchasing.

Excessively large inclusions of reinforcing particles should also be of concern: this is a crude technology (as a rule, in the manufacture of cheap pads, chips are produced on a lathe, minimally crushing them).

Friction coefficient marking

Bosch BP976

Like all Bosch products, brake pads guarantee quality. They provide braking power, sound insulation, reliability and durability. For production, special ceramics, organic, non-asbestos, semi-metallic and NAO materials are used. They guarantee safety and durability.

A rubber gasket with a core is installed on the pads. The slots and chamfers ensure a good fit. Designed for a relaxed driving style. Tests showed the following indicators: at a speed of 100 km/h, with cold brakes, friction coefficients are 0.48. When they were heated to 250 degrees, the coefficient decreased significantly, to 0.3. During the mountain test cycle the braking coefficient was 0.36, and during cooling it was 0.46.

Advantages:

• the pads are effective in braking on the mountain cycle;
• low level of wear;

Flaws:

• reduction in the efficiency of characteristics at elevated temperatures.

ATE

The manufacturer Continental Teves produces front and rear ceramic pads with good braking performance, low wear resistance, disc-saving, silent, and soft braking. The products belong to the upper price category.

Test results showed that at a speed of 100 km/h, with cold brakes, friction coefficients are 0.58. When they were heated to 250 degrees, the coefficient decreased slightly, to 0.47. During the mountain test cycle the braking coefficient was 0.43, and during cooling it was 0.48. The friction coefficient turned out to be one of the highest among the pads for VAZ cars.

Products do not lose their performance qualities until maximum wear. This is achieved through the use of innovative manufacturing technologies and friction composite materials. They use non-ferrous metals (chrome, nickel, titanium), this classifies these ceramic products as “luxury”. Thanks to the large assortment, ATE products can be used in all VAZ car models.

Advantages:

• proven quality;
• wear resistance;
• stability of characteristics.

The best brands of brake pads for VAZ

Let's look at the pads of the most popular brands based on the results they show in bench tests, and supplement the statistics with reviews from real users.

• TIIR (standard pads). They wear out quite quickly, but at the same time they wear out the brake mechanisms minimally. The adhesive attachment of the lining to the base has sufficient strength; no cases of detachment were noted during normal driving. Considering the affordable price, it’s a good option for people who are not into aggressive city driving. When overheated, they noticeably glaze.
• DAFMI. These pads cost little more than the original ones and wear out more slowly. However, tests note that sometimes with strong heating the thickness of the pad increases, that is, it seems to “swell.” This is a clear sign of a possible irreversible change in properties during sudden braking; the pad may be destroyed or torn off the substrate. They are recommended for calm, measured driving: then they will last a long time and will not deteriorate the braking distance over time.
• TRW. Durable pads that provide good braking and can easily withstand high temperature loads. This also has a downside - both they themselves and the brake disc wear out quite quickly. A good option for active driving, highways, and mountainous areas.
• Ferodo. For VAZ cars, the well-known brand has not lowered the quality bar: these brake pads provide both a good service life and perfectly retain their properties during sudden or prolonged braking. The wear of the brake mechanisms when using them also cannot be called critical - everything is at the level of the best representatives of competitors. A good choice, but at a price that matches the quality.
• ATE. It cannot be said that this brand is well-known among VAZ owners, but in vain - it is one of the leading European manufacturers of brake mechanisms and pads. Despite the high price, these pads show excellent results: they brake well, withstand overheating, and have a long service life.
• Lucas. Tests reveal an interesting property of these pads: when warmed up, their coefficient of friction even increases, although usually for “civilian” (as opposed to sports ceramic) pads, on the contrary, it drops. The pads are resistant to wear, and abrasive wear of the brake discs is also small. An excellent choice for conditions where you have to use the brakes frequently.

It cannot be argued that the low price of a car is a reason to save on consumables. On the contrary, where there are no stabilization systems, anti-lock brakes and other electronic assistants, competent selection of brake pads and monitoring the condition of the braking system make a decisive contribution to the safety of the car.

MarKon

MarKon brake pads are considered the best in the budget price segment. The product line is extensive, with over 500 models. The manufacturer uses a soft friction mixture for the pads with more than 20 components in its composition.

The products adhere well to the discs, thereby preventing them from wearing out prematurely (although their service life is short, 20-30 thousand kilometers). Before grinding in, the pads initially make a squeaking sound, but during operation it disappears. The reason is the mismatch between the geometry of the pads and VAZ discs. When testing on dynamic stands, the friction coefficient turned out to be stable throughout all cycles (0.42-0.44).

Advantages:

• cheap price;
• efficiency;
• maintainability;
• rapid heat removal from the contact zone.

Flaws:

• needs to be changed frequently;
• insufficient strength of the material;
• gathering dust.

Where to buy pads with quality guarantee for Lada?

The question of where to purchase brake equipment is quite complicated. Many people say that it is worth ordering products on the Internet - there are the fewest counterfeits and the best prices. Perhaps, but in this case you should stick to the official websites of manufacturers and official dealers. But finding them is not so easy, especially in the regions. When choosing a place of purchase, you should consider the following features:

• availability of documents - the originality of the product can be confirmed by factory documents and accompanying papers with characteristics and other parameters, they can be requested additionally;
• not the lowest prices - it is almost guaranteed that the lowest prices indicate fakes, of which there are too many on the Russian market, so it is not worth saving much;
• good assortment or specialization - it is better to buy pads from specialists who can offer an excellent selection or products from only one trusted brand;
• warranty - you may be surprised, but these products should also be covered by a warranty, and the coupon should not be thrown away until a year has passed from the date of purchase of the equipment;
• all necessary components are in stock - buy products only in those stores that offer goods in stock, and not on order with delivery in a few weeks.

These are important criteria for quality and worthy acquisition, which should always be taken into account when purchasing. Contact professional stores, specialized points of sale of products of certain brands. Avoid buying brake pads simply through advertisements on the Internet. This way, you are guaranteed to buy a fake or an illiquid product that will not last you even a few months without unpleasant surprises. You should respect your safety while driving.

We offer a video about brake pads to see the importance of this element: