Â
Genuine Subaru Brake Pads & Rotors
It's no secret that aftermarket brake parts cost a little less than Genuine Subaru Brake Parts. But shouldn't you be judging more than price when considering something as important to your safety? We thought so, so we asked our engineers to compare the quality and performance of Genuine Subaru Brake Parts with aftermarket imitations.
Subaru Brake PadsAlso referred to as "shoes", brake pads are steel-backed plates with friction-creating material bound to the surface. When braking, two pads are pressed against the rotor until the vehicle stops. Salt SprayThe aftermarket brake pads developed significant rust damage after a week long salt-spray test. The Genuine Subaru Brake Pads remained rust-free. Genuine Subaru Aftermarket   | Shear StrengthThis test evaluates the strength of the bond between the layer of friction material and the metallic pad. At both ambient temperature and 300° C, the Genuine Subaru bond remained far stronger. Genuine Subaru   Ambient Temperature 300° C Aftermarket   Ambient Temperature 300° C | Genuine Subaru   Outboard Inboard Aftermarket   Outboard Inboard Brake PerformanceIn a friction performance test at various speeds, Genuine Subaru Brake Pads consistently outperformed the competition. Before and during the heat testing, Genuine Subaru Brake Pads maintained effective braking stability and less anti-fade characteristics than the aftermarket pads. |
Subaru Brake RotorsAlso referred to as "discs", brake rotors (and the wheels to which they are attached) are brought to a stop by the friction generated when brake pads press against them. Out-of-the-Box QualityWhat appears to be dirt on the Genuine Subaru Rotor is actually a preservative oil designed to protect it until installation. What appears to be dirt on the aftermarket part is actually rust! Genuine Subaru Aftermarket   | ShudderingBrake "shuddering" is the shaking or vibration that can occur when you step on the brake pedal. It is often caused by brake rotor imperfections - both the "plate thickness", and "sideways shaking". Based on the values below, which would you rather have stopping your Subaru?
   | RustAfter a week of continuous driving conditions that including a daily spray of water, the results are clear. The rust-resistant surfaces on the Genuine Subaru protrusion and outside circumference are nearly rust-free. The aftermarket rotor has rust everywhere except for the sliding surface - the rust around the bolts actually made it difficult to remove the rotor. Genuine Subaru Aftermarket   |
