I just bought a used 2007 Hyundai Sonata that turned out to need front brakes. I decided to go with Bendix CT-3 pads. I had been considering Akebono ProAct pads, but the Bendix were around $10 cheaper and both get good reviews. I paid $46 shipped from Amazon.
Pads First Impression
When the pads first arrived, I panicked because the clips said "made in China." I had read online that these pads were made in the USA, but I didn't email the company. (BTW- Akebono told me the ProACTs are made in Kentucky.) Luckily, it turned out the pads were made in Canada. The pads are GG rated. The originals are marked FF.
Rotors First Impression
I’ve recently been trying to avoid made in China products, but I didn’t have much choice for rotors. I settled on Raybestos Professionals for $27 shipped each from Amazon. I’ve since found out I could have bought EBC rotors for $75 each (made in USA or UK), or Auto 7 brand rotors for $41 each (Most likely Korean made).
The Raybestos rotors appear to be well made, from a casual inspection. They seem to have a similar thickness to the OE rotors, but I didn’t measure them. The vanes also appear to be very similar to the OE design. They seem to be well machined.
Installation and Break In
I installed the brakes yesterday. The installation went fine. I used the 30-30-30 burnishing method recommended on the Bendix website. The pads definitely heated up, because I could smell them.
I was initially dissapointed. After the break in the car seemed to stop fine, but the pedal was very soft. I cracked open the bleeders when I pushed the piston back in the caliper, so I thought maybe I let some air in the system.
After sitting overnight and cooling down, the pedal feel has definitely improved. The car stops well and the pedal is firmer, but it still doesn’t seem as firm as it was before. However, I could be misremembering how firm it was, as I've only had the car for two weeks. I may try bleeding the brakes this weekend and see if that improves it.
I'll try to update in a week or so.
Pads First Impression
When the pads first arrived, I panicked because the clips said "made in China." I had read online that these pads were made in the USA, but I didn't email the company. (BTW- Akebono told me the ProACTs are made in Kentucky.) Luckily, it turned out the pads were made in Canada. The pads are GG rated. The originals are marked FF.
Rotors First Impression
I’ve recently been trying to avoid made in China products, but I didn’t have much choice for rotors. I settled on Raybestos Professionals for $27 shipped each from Amazon. I’ve since found out I could have bought EBC rotors for $75 each (made in USA or UK), or Auto 7 brand rotors for $41 each (Most likely Korean made).
The Raybestos rotors appear to be well made, from a casual inspection. They seem to have a similar thickness to the OE rotors, but I didn’t measure them. The vanes also appear to be very similar to the OE design. They seem to be well machined.
Installation and Break In
I installed the brakes yesterday. The installation went fine. I used the 30-30-30 burnishing method recommended on the Bendix website. The pads definitely heated up, because I could smell them.
I was initially dissapointed. After the break in the car seemed to stop fine, but the pedal was very soft. I cracked open the bleeders when I pushed the piston back in the caliper, so I thought maybe I let some air in the system.
After sitting overnight and cooling down, the pedal feel has definitely improved. The car stops well and the pedal is firmer, but it still doesn’t seem as firm as it was before. However, I could be misremembering how firm it was, as I've only had the car for two weeks. I may try bleeding the brakes this weekend and see if that improves it.
I'll try to update in a week or so.