The condition of the brake discs directly affects vehicle control and the operation of auxiliary systems. Therefore, their choice must be approached responsibly. But there is not always enough money to purchase original parts. The solution would be to buy analogues. Some of the best aftermarket products are Alnas parts. Their cost is low. But the quality is high.
Replacement of brake discs and pads (Alnas + ATE)
Even at the last maintenance service, the servicemen hinted that it was time to change the brake discs.
Then, when replacing it with summer tires, I measured it myself with a caliper; indeed, the wear was almost at its limit. And the disks themselves looked scary, the part where they are ventilated. Because It was decided not to sell the car yet; I decided that I needed to change the wheels for myself. Because When traveling to Crimea a month ago, with intense checkers on the highway and therefore frequent braking, it was felt that the discs were creating vibration (axial runout). It was even a bit awkward all of a sudden with the brakes, but then it seemed to be ok, so I drove off without any problems. And in the spring I also tested it, sharply braked from 100 to zero, after several times it felt like the brakes were floating. There was even some kind of hum.
In general, having strangled the toad, I bought Alnas wheels with 14 brakes. At first I wanted an AvtoVAZ in a blue and white box, but then I realized that it was the same Alnas only more expensive. I also wanted to buy Bosch cheaper on existential, but for some reason I couldn’t find any reviews, so I decided not to risk it with China.
So, Alnas was purchased on the 3rd attempt, one store (Asta-World) could not deliver for some reason and I bought it at BB for a little more.
It turned out from the instructions for the discs that new pads were needed. But I wanted to keep the old ones. ATE, we have already run 50k (installed 2 years ago). Replacing the front pads. Installation of ATE pads.
Having once again strangled the toad, I ordered ATE pads on Exist (even a little cheaper than 2 years ago) and by the weekend they had already arrived. There was a verification code on the box, I checked it, it says real.
I planned to carry out all the work on replacing discs/pads over the weekend at the dacha. It seems that the matter is not complicated, but it only seemed so at first glance. The car is not new, and was not assembled yesterday. We must take into account our soured bolts in the Luzhkov salt solution.
I started replacing pads and discs on Saturday at the dacha, obviously as expected, but the glimmer of hope suddenly got lucky, the disc guides did not unscrew, I tore them off, removed the disc, then they drilled it out for a long time, then they struggled with the tap (luckily, my neighbor in the dacha had taps, but there was no knob, I had to turn it with pliers, and this sharply reduced labor productivity), as a result, I lost the remaining time of Saturday for two holes, but the holes passed. I didn't touch the second wheel. But the hike will have to suffer with them too, I doubt that they will come off, even though I watered them with WD-40. So far I've put everything back together with the old one, I just mixed up the pads in some places.
Speaking of pads, ATE shoes have gone through 50k, wear on the outer pad is 40%, on the inner one 50%, damn it’s even a pity to throw them away, they would have gone another 50k with ease. Good pads. By the way, the TIIRs in the link above were not sharpened evenly. Here is a comparison of old ATEs with new ATEs.
as well as the worn disk itself. In principle, you could drive and drive, and sell the car with the old ones.
2 years ago, at 45k miles, it looked absolutely terrible and was riddled with several deep scratches. But then the ATES leveled him up. You may get the impression that the ATE pads sharpen the disc, this is not so, the disc was about the same, of course I didn’t measure it then, but the protrusion on the edge of the disc was just as distinct as it is now. Now with the disks removed, the working thickness is 17.9 mm, i.e. almost to zero.
Let's get back to replacing disks. On Sunday, I decided to finish replacing the discs and pads, weather permitting. It rained in the morning, but then it cleared up and it was a good day. I bought a set of taps and the missing drills (because on Saturday I broke a couple and one tap). And also 4 studs to replace the broken ones.
The hope was to escape with little blood, but on Sunday the whole day was ruined. I started work by disassembling the other wheel, and then the bolt of the caliper bracket fastenings was already torn off (damn, on the other side they came off on Saturday without any problems). Next, I took a sledgehammer and hit the second bolt, and managed to unscrew it. In the same way, I pounded the guides through the tube and unscrewed them. Next was sex with a breaker. Having clamped it in a vice, they didn’t fold it, or rather, they folded what was sticking out. Before that I tapped and drilled it. It didn’t help, he got stuck well. Then we started drilling completely, the drills immediately became dull, we sharpened them, then we drilled, somehow we got through the drills to 4-5-6-6.5-7-7.5-8mm. Then we used the M10x1.25 tap, but the thread was cut off-axis, but we hit the old thread, a piece of the bolt remained inside, then it was knocked out (maybe we should have left it?). As a result, the carving became “one-sided”. The bolt screws in, but dangles a little, because the hole is oval. I started installing it, the bolt did not tighten all the way, I tightened it so as not to tear off the remaining threads, I need to find time and change the bracket for a new one. I installed all the bolts on graphite. I pulled out the guide fingers, wiped them and lubricated them with graphite. But it was already well lubricated there. I changed the discs and the pads too, I had to tinker with them to press the cylinder all the way, otherwise it wouldn’t fit. I pumped out 5 cubes of brake fluid.
Threat, it was probably necessary to change everything at the service.
First impressions: By the time I've driven about 70 km, the discs are grinding in and are already braking more tenaciously than the old ones. I don't brake hard. I tried to accelerate to 120 mph where there was vibration in the steering wheel (I assumed it was due to an imbalance of the old discs). It feels like it hasn't completely gone away, but sometimes I can't feel it.
Alnas brake discs how to distinguish a fake
Every car owner, sooner or later in the process of using his “iron horse” faces the issue of repairing the car’s brake system. This system is a rather complex mechanism that consists of a large number of pipes, cylinders, brake discs, pads, brake fluid and other things. Some of the listed components do not cause problems if they need to be changed, but some cause a lot of difficulty for the driver when finding a new spare part.
This is due to the huge number of low-quality fakes on the markets. Of all the above, brake discs are the most frequently counterfeited. All this has led to the need to explain to the consumer which brand of brake discs is better to choose, how to use them correctly, at what level of wear the brake discs should be replaced and how not to get a fake, because this part is quite expensive. First, let's look at the reasons for replacing old disks with new ones, as well as signs by which we can determine that this part needs to be replaced.
Review of Alnas brake discs
Alnas has long established itself as a manufacturer of quality parts for cars of various brands. Moreover, it is the official supplier of AvtoVAZ. The brand's production is located in Russia. Which has a positive effect on the quality of the product. According to customer reviews, the discs perform well in different conditions.
On the packaging of this product there is a mark - “official supplier of AvtoVAZ”. This is why you can often find fakes on the market. It is important to familiarize yourself with exactly how to distinguish a fake from the original. This is the only way to avoid installation problems. The discs themselves fully correspond in their overall dimensions to the original ones. No need to customize the size.
The box is made of high-quality cardboard, there are installation instructions on the packaging and inside. In Russian. It is important to remember that replacement should always be done in pairs. Also, most discs are made of an alloy, which can be worn out by overly hard pads. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition of the friction materials of the latter in advance - before installation. Ceramics are not allowed.
Alnas brake discs how to distinguish a fake
The question of which brake discs are better is as eternal as the different answers to it.
On automobile websites and forums dedicated to this or that car model, you have more than once come across inadequate answers to the question: tell me which brake discs I should choose or which brake discs from well-known brands, such as delphi, bosch, zimmerman, and so on.
So the answers sometimes surprise with their spontaneity and inadequacy. For example: Brembo brake rotors or ate brake rotors suck. I didn’t change the brake pads in time, they were worn down to iron and... the Brembo brake discs didn’t hold up... the cast aluminum discs for the Opel cracked or were chosen incorrectly.
That is why the question of which brake discs are better is not entirely correct. Why? Yes, because the manufacturer includes average statistical performance data in their characteristics, and we each use brake discs in our own way.
This happens for many reasons, one of which is the driving style of the Citroen C5 with a V6 engine. Agree that dba brake discs, although they are designed for active driving enthusiasts, they also have a strength limit. Especially if the driver manages to move around the city with constant speeding and, accordingly, constant braking in emergency mode.
Reviews
Victor, Volgograd I bought a VAZ 2112, after several tens of thousands of kilometers I decided to check the pads. For some reason they didn't wash out at all. But at the same time, the disks themselves were significantly “eaten.” There was a need for replacement, and the choice fell on Alnas. First of all, it was recommended by the guys who constantly work in the service center and specialize in repairing VAZ cars. I purchased this disc and have no regrets. I installed it myself, no problems. The package also contained detailed instructions in Russian. It is only important to choose pads without ceramics, since the disc itself is made of soft cast iron.
Alexander, Vologda Relatively recently, when braking at high speed, the right wheel began to shake. For some reason the brake disc wore down. I decided to change both at once. I bought a set of Alnas, with pads from Brembo. Everything went fine, I installed it myself. There were no squeaks or squeaks immediately after installation. For the first few hundred kilometers the pedal was more responsive. Overall I'm happy with the purchase and would recommend it to others.
Anton, Moscow I looked at many options for brake discs, but I was not satisfied with their quality. And the place of manufacture. That's why I chose Alnas. This manufacturer located its plant in the Russian Federation, in Almetyevka. This is what bribed me. Their quality control is really serious, I was able to verify this myself. The discs fit perfectly, no modifications were needed. Moreover, no grinding was required; braking was excellent immediately after installation. The grinding noise was gone immediately.
Konstantin, Nizhny Novgorod I purchased these pads and later regretted them. I drive aggressively and slow down often and quickly. After another braking from 170 km/h to 60 I felt a beating. Upon arrival home, I took off the wheels - it turned out that the rims were simply bent. There are defects. Perhaps the reason was that the car fell into a puddle immediately after braking. But I think that this should not be a reason for failure. Overall dissatisfied. I had to purchase new disks and spent time installing new ones. I don’t plan to buy Alnas products in the future; I settled on other manufacturers.
What you need to know when choosing brake discs for a car
Naturally, first of all, you focus on your experience. And, if you constantly enjoy using Brembo brake discs, then you don’t need ebc brake discs, the reviews of which will be the most wonderful.
The second is general knowledge about brake discs.
Standard (standard) brake discs
They are usually made of cast iron and processed by milling. Standard brake discs are available, both ventilated and non-ventilated.
The difference between a ventilated brake disc is its design: two discs are connected to each other by bulkheads.
Package
Genuine consumables are packaged in a red box with smooth and clear printing . The fake packaging has a different shade of red, it is brighter, and the inscriptions are spaced too closely.
The counterfeit weighs much less than the original, so copyists save on material.
Standard (sports) brake discs.
Their difference from the standard one is a denser alloy (of course, you cannot determine this by eye) and the presence of notches. The purpose of the notches is to remove combustion products during an aggressive braking style.
Almost all sports brake discs are ventilated. Some are perforated, but perforating cast iron brake discs results in a significant loss of strength.
Unfortunately, counterfeits of brake discs from famous brands have become commonplace. And therefore, when purchasing, you are unlikely to be able to determine the quality. But after installing them on the car, you should pay attention to the following points during operation:
- beating when braking is the first sign of either improper installation of the brake disc or poor-quality metal material; beating while driving is a sign of a violation of the symmetry of the brake disc, that is, its inaccurate performance; rapid, increased wear during standard operation of the disk in normal mode indicates a low density of the metal alloy.
In any of these cases, it is necessary to diagnose the brake discs and demand that the seller fulfill the terms of the warranty. Naturally, provided that the brake discs were purchased from an authorized dealer. If you chased the price and purchased the wheels second-hand at the car market, then there will be no one to ask.
To navigate a wide range of spare parts, in particular brake discs, you should know that our car spare parts market is mainly supplied in three areas:
- original brake discs, that is, those that go directly to the assembly line when assembling cars; original and non-original brake discs with aftermarket (aftermarket) target direction for the spare parts market from the manufacturer; brake discs, as well as other spare parts that are manufactured for third world countries.
Workmanship
A special alloy is used to manufacture Alnas brake discs. Moreover, regardless of the diameter - 13, 14 or 15 inches. It is relatively soft, so the brakes always work perfectly. Regardless of road conditions. But it is important to remember that the disc gets very hot even when braking in normal mode.
It is important to try to avoid driving into puddles immediately after releasing the brakes. Since this can lead to cracks on the surface of the disc. The result is a breakdown and the need for replacement. There are several modifications of this part - and they differ not only depending on the make and model of the car. You can find the “sport” version on sale.
The surface of such discs is equipped with special grooves, as well as ventilation holes. They brake better due to the removal of water and gases through such furrows. Ventilation holes allow overheated material to cool faster. But it is important to remember that the operation of such disks is accompanied by a specific hum.
There is also a separate division of this company - ATC. The production of parts under this brand is located in China. Quality control is also high. In turn, buyers in the Russian Federation trust the Alnas brand somewhat more - and for good reason. Quality control at the production base in Almetyevka, where the Alnas plant is located, is high. Before sale, products must undergo several different tests.
How to choose the right brake discs for your car
Let's start with the fact that traditionally, brake discs: Brembo, EBC, DBA are designed for lovers of an active, aggressive driving style.
Brake discs: Zimmerman, Bosch, ATE for quiet trips in city mode. Naturally, this gradation is arbitrary, since each brand has different modifications of brake discs.
The ideal option when choosing discs is to purchase and install brake pads from the same manufacturer. This is due to the fact that the manufacturer makes brake pads and brake discs from adapted materials. We are talking about original and non-original spare parts.
The price and packaging of brake discs, unfortunately, are no longer an indicator that you are purchasing an original or non-original spare part. Therefore, the purchase of brake discs should be carried out only from trusted official dealers - car shops. With relevant accompanying documents: checks, guarantees, and so on.
Next, you need to remember - there is no specific figure for the service life of brake discs, not even in thousands of km. mileage or service life. On each part, the manufacturer indicates the permissible wear of the brake discs in mm. Well, then, you already include your driving practice and experience in using your Volkswagen Touareg.
In any case, when choosing brake discs: Brembo, Zimmerman, Delphi, Bosch and so on, focus not on reviews of individual car enthusiasts, but on the technical characteristics and recommendations of brake disc manufacturers and the manual for your car.
Product asymmetry
of the original perfectly aligned ; on a fake, the thickness of the inner and outer sides may differ significantly.
When to change brake discs
The service life depends on the declared parameters and the materials used, but general signs of serious wear appear equally on all types. They most likely need replacing if you notice any of the following signs:
Screeching noise
Under normal driving and operating conditions, a slight squeal from the brake discs is acceptable. Contamination, mechanism material and weather conditions are factors affecting wear. If a loud squeal occurs, this is the first warning that it is better to replace the brake pads. Quality kits use a semi-metallic layer in the material, or an external sensor, which produces a squealing noise.
Warning signal on the dashboard
Some cars have a warning light on the dashboard to alert the driver to problems with the brake rotors.
The car pulls to the side
If your car doesn't hold its line, constantly leaning to one side, this is one of the signs of worn brake rotors, sticking guide pins or a stuck caliper piston.
How is it different from original parts?
The main and most important difference is the price. This is especially true for cars of premium brands. Sometimes the cost of brake discs from Alnas is 2 or even 3 times less. In turn, in terms of braking quality, the parts are in no way inferior to the originals - in most cases. It is only important to remember about a slightly smaller resource. But there are often cases when a brake disc from Alnas covered 50-60 thousand km.
It all depends on the driving and braking mode practiced by a particular driver. These wheels are perfect for leisurely driving outside the city, calm movement. At the same time, the discs perform well during sharp, emergency braking. But it should be noted that frequent braking from a speed of 140-160 km/h significantly reduces the service life.
Discs are also made of special grades of cast iron - which allow you to reduce the speed of the car as efficiently as possible. During operation there are no jerks or shocks during braking.
Types of brake discs
The differences between brake systems come down to the principle of their operation. A simple and practical design - it is a cast form, which is made of durable metal. They are cheap to purchase, durable, but extremely unstable to overheating and exposure to external factors. Therefore, we will focus on three modern types:
Ventilated
The most common type used in modern cars. The design is created in such a way as to minimize the distance between the disks, and use the free space as ventilation. It removes thermal energy, preventing overheating of the metal and its further damage. The service life of this type is long, subject to regular maintenance.
Initially, ventilated discs were created to improve the aerodynamics of the car. But later it turned out that such a design makes it possible to increase their service life without loss of productivity.
Perforated
When a brake disc is used intensively, it regularly releases gases and particles, forming an unfavorable layer on its surface that prevents normal contact and friction with the pad. This is a common problem that gets little attention.
The perforated shape of the disk with a pattern of holes for gas removal along the surface helped to get rid of the problem. Moreover, this reduction in the density of the material allowed its weight to be reduced.
The perforated disk itself acts as a large heat sink, so there is a risk of damage due to heat exposure. Holes in it can become stress concentration points, leading to cracks during heavy braking. Modern brake pads are less affected by gases than their predecessors, so the popularity of perforations is gradually declining.
Notched
As with perforated discs, the grooved design along the entire surface allows gases and other deposits to escape. But this “slit” design has a number of other advantages.
First, the grooves and serrations help the pad act as a brush that scrapes deposits off the disc along these lines. Secondly, its strength is practically no different from standard cast or ventilated ones, in contrast to the same perforated ones.
However, the notched form is not as reliable and is designed to last less due to the friction of the grooves on the block.
How to choose disks
This is a complex task, the solution of which depends not only on the initial parameters of the car, but also on driving style, weather conditions and much more.
To ensure that the selection of a suitable kit is made correctly, it is better to check the diameter and thickness of previously installed fixtures. To measure these parameters, it is not necessary to remove the entire wheel, and the information obtained should be recorded and used to purchase new disks.
A few more things to consider when choosing a brake disc:
- Brake Disc Thickness: Use a digital micrometer to measure accurately, or you can also use a measuring tape.
- Installation location: This is the position of the brake disc that is worth paying attention to. Each of them is designed for either the front or rear axle.
- Diameter: This is the diameter of the brake disc, which depends on the overall parameters of the wheel.
- Number of holes: corresponds to the number of bolts on the wheel. If the wheel has four bolts, then you will need brake rotors with four holes.
- Hole Circle: This is a circle defined by the positions of the bolts. The center of each bolt lies on a circle, which varies depending on the wheel type and manufacturer.
- Wheel Hub Diameter: The diameter of the hub will match the size of the center hole of the rim or the diameter of the hub it is mounted on.
Which brake discs are best to buy?
It is best to purchase through the official websites of manufacturers, or at certified service centers. Of course, there are also private companies, but no one will give you a guarantee that they do not sell secondary goods. Buying online is also cheaper than in brick-and-mortar stores.
If you choose between perforated or serrated discs, it is better to pay attention to those combined with serrations and holes, which guarantee long service life and high efficiency even in extreme driving conditions.
Which brand of brake discs is better?
There are not many manufacturers in demand:
- Brembo.
- Power Stop.
- R1 Concepts.
- Callahan Brake Parts.
- Prime Choice.
- Bosch.
- Wagner.
- Raybestos.
All manufacturers have their own online stores in various countries around the world through which purchases can be made. And their reliability is confirmed by a number of tests and use among global automotive brands.
Barcode verification
ATTENTION! The correct barcode does not provide a 100% guarantee of the originality of the product. However, an incorrect barcode is a clear sign of counterfeit.
Source kakotlichit.ru
The condition of the brake discs directly affects vehicle control and the operation of auxiliary systems. Therefore, their choice must be approached responsibly. But there is not always enough money to purchase original parts. The solution would be to buy analogues. Some of the best aftermarket products are Alnas parts. Their cost is low. But the quality is high.
How to spot a fake
Unfortunately, counterfeit brake discs are not uncommon. Counterfeit manufacturers have become so good at duplicating genuine parts that they can fool even reputable dealers. Even worse, some establishments or individuals sell these counterfeits knowing that they are not real. Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of an uncertified product:
- Seller: Again, even legitimate businesses can accidentally purchase counterfeit products. But if you have doubts about the legitimacy of the seller, contact the official distributor or check with the brand's headquarters. If you're buying online, be sure to read customer comments and reviews.
- Price: If the price of the kit is too attractive, it's worth considering. Beware of huge "discounts" and great "deals", especially online. Keep in mind that some unscrupulous sellers may sell fakes at the real price of the original. Consult with credible sources such as reputable retailers, brand representatives, or knowledgeable professionals. Again, don’t be lazy to call the official distributor.
- Packaging and Security: Many aftermarket products come with packaging that has multiple security features. For example, QR codes, which, when scanned via a smartphone, can provide all the information about the product. Check the product for signs of tampering (acceptable packaging does not necessarily mean the contents are quality) or anything inconsistent with the packaging or labeling.
- Catalog: This method allows you to check whether you are buying an original product. You just need to check the brake disc markings on the packaging with a similar product on the brand’s official website. Unscrupulous sellers make mistakes in this aspect. And manufacturers arrange sales exclusively for complete sets, and not for each individual part!