5 replies to this topic

[Stamperman]

I decided to change the pads and rotors on the fron of my 850 Turbo over the weekend. I bought all the parts at my local import parts store and was surprised when they brought out a set of rotors not made by Brembo. The new brand is called "Centric". http://www.centricparts.com/prod02.htm They seem very nice and I'm impressed by their quality. The black coating is cool and the finish on the braking area is immaculate.

I asked the guy at the counter why they had dropped Brembo. He told me that a lot of them were now being made in Mexico and they had had several quality problems. To the point that the local mechanics were no longer buying them and that they had to do something because they were losing sales. He said that they had lots of them come in with groves machined into the braking surface and also had several fail because the rotor had seperated from the hat. Not a good thing to happen. Keep in mind he was talking specifics and not just Volvo applications.

Anyway these seem nice and so far work very well. At least much better than the warped things I had on there before. I used Axxis Metal Master pads and I'm happy with the results.

Anyone else had bad luck with Brembo stuff?

[jens94850]

Anyone else had bad luck with Brembo stuff?

Me. When I worked as a tech (changed jobs three years ago), we gave up on brembos after a 240 that wouldn't quit pulsing the pedal from the rear brakes. After two sets of Brembos, we finally went to Volvo oem and the pulsing stopped. checked specs on the brembos and they were warped out of the box. Supplier was nice enough to reimburse cost on stock...but never tried them again.

Any price range on the centrics?

[billr99]

Anyone else had bad luck with Brembo stuff?

Me. When I worked as a tech (changed jobs three years ago), we gave up on brembos after a 240 that wouldn't quit pulsing the pedal from the rear brakes. After two sets of Brembos, we finally went to Volvo oem and the pulsing stopped. checked specs on the brembos and they were warped out of the box. Supplier was nice enough to reimburse cost on stock...but never tried them again.

Any price range on the centrics?

Take a read of the tech support info on the Centric site. According to that, very few rotors are really warped. Pulsation comes from improperly bedded pads and/or rotors. Interesting stuff.

So I wonder where these rotors come from? China? India?

[jens94850]

According to that, very few rotors are really warped.

These Brembos were warped...not sure if it was a milling/heat problem, etc., but against a staight edge, you could nearly slip a dime in at some places.

[Stamperman]

Dude said they were a US comapny. That doesn't mean they were made here though. As for price, I paid $43 each. More than Advance or Autozone pieces I'm sure.

[jens94850]

As for price, I paid $43 each.  More than Advance or Autozone pieces I'm sure.

http://www.partsamerica.com/SelectParts.as...or=Disc%2FRotor

Wouldn't be so sure...check Advance parts link...youch.

If you don't mind, let us know how the Centrics work out after a month or two. thanks.