Subaru Brake Pads

Also 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 Spray

The 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 Strength

This 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

Paint Quality

Genuine Subaru paint quality is visibly superior, right out of the box.

Genuine Subaru

Outboard

Inboard

Aftermarket

Outboard

Inboard

Brake Performance

In 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 Rotors

Also 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 Quality

What 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

Shuddering

Brake "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?

Plate Thickness

-Plate thickness includes the flatness of the rotor's surface as well. The higher values, the worse the shuddering.

Sideways Shaking

-This results from imperfections that do not allow the pad and rotor to meet properly. Again, the higher the values, the worse the shuddering.

Rust

After 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