2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission American made Rotors?

[LandShark]

Anyone know if any brake rotors are made in the USA or Canada? I checked on the 'ultra Premium' rotors at NAPA and they were made in China.

Not sure about: Brembo, Wagner, Baer, Centric, Guardian, Raybestos, ACDELCO, Bendix or Royalty.

Just looking for some decent, flat rotors that I can trust my life on.

 

[kenny61]

Anyone know if any brake rotors are made in the USA or Canada? I checked on the 'ultra Premium' rotors at NAPA and they were made in China.



Not sure about: Brembo, Wagner, Baer, Centric, Guardian, Raybestos, ACDELCO, Bendix or Royalty.



Just looking for some decent, flat rotors that I can trust my life on.

Goodluck I think I got raybestos last time maybe wagner anyway they were made in China could not find any that were made elsewhere

 

[jray]

I share your concern with rotors made in China. I just purchased new front rotors from Frozen Rotor. Haven't installed them yet but even if it's Chinese steel they should last a little longer. Good luck with your search.

 

[TboneMan]

You just have to love a business model where it is cheaper to ship scrap metal from North America to China just to have them ship new products back to North America.

 

[LandShark]

I may have found a company that makes rotors in England - EBC. Can't be sure though. Hard to tell from their website.

All the retailers I've contacted so far either will not say or don't know where their rotors are made. This tells me that it is most likely China.

 

[SRath]

There was a local businessman, Steve Rathje, who just lost in the republican primary for Congressman, though I think he made a very good first showing. His business is based on sourcing USA-made products and components -- better products in every case -- for Iowa manufacturers; at more cost effective prices. Proving that the "cheaper chinese labor costs" are a myth when the total cost of that business model is exposed by someone who knows what they are doing.

 

[LandShark]

I emailed rockauto.com about this subject. This is their reply:

Thanks for writing. Quite honestly, we do not know. Most of our manufacturers have plants in more than one place, and they appear to change which location is making what fairly often. It may be that the parts are made in more than one place simultaneously.

I have seen some of the Raybestos Advanced Technology parts that are made in the U. S. A, and some that are made in China. Unfortunately, I am not able to answer your question, as the manufacturers don't tell us.

What I can tell you is that a given part number will be covered under the same warranty, and made to the same OE and manufacturer specific standards no matter where it is made.

I hope this helps.

Thank you,

Joseph
RockAuto Customer Service

 

[jelag]

We're buying front hubs from a vendor off shore... . the plant must be the size of 2 football fields, and there's maybe 150-200 CNC machines... they make close to 2 million units a year, mostly for a OEM... . I've been in the manufacturing side of this industry for the past 25 years. . Even clutch Manufacturer Eaton/Spicer (class 8 truck clutches) are now made with parts from foundries outside the US and the clutch is assembled in Mexico...

If you think of the scope of operation to build a rotor, the foundry process, than the machining process, it would have to be the size of several football fields, and than you'd have to consider the air quality... .

With as many members at this group has, it would seem to me that someone would say, hey, we've got a huge foundry and metal processing plant in our town and they make xxxxxxxxx ... ... but we just don't see it...

 

[SRath]

It's quite clear why things "just aren't made like they used to". They aren't made here. And that has had an undeniable negative impact on product quality as well as our Nation's strength and economy.

With brake rotors and similar items, our lives, both in terms of safety and quality, are put second to profits. And as that Rathje fella has made a good living proving, seldom can a component be made overseas or across the border more cost effectively than here. Manufacturers just automatically assume the chinese part is cheaper overall and don't even bother to look or know how to find it here.

Funny how you mention the 'air quality' benefit of having foundry parts cast in a country with absolutely zero air pollution standards --- and the filthiest air in the world-- and the last I knew, air was a global entity, but you don't stop to consider how much fuel and pollution their equally-unregulated ships contribute in their millions of trips across the ocean. But there may be historic value to those chinese-cast parts; after all, there is a good chance they were made out of 9/11 scrap metal since that's where it went. That screech in your brakes might just be a ghost in the machine...

Then there is the simple fact that every time a company moves a manufacturing operation out of the USA, they have effectively killed the buying power of those Americans who lost their jobs. But we just import more people, too, don't we?

I'm as guilty as anyone else of having purchased foreign junk; but given a choice, I will buy USA every time.

Personally, I think EVERY item made in China or from chinese components should, by law, be affixed with a big Red Star and clearly say: "Made in COMMUNIST China". Lets see how proud anyone is to sell those items then. It is simply TRUTH in advertising. Then lets see some billboards and advertising showing truthful photos of the pollution and squalor there, reminding folks what they are supporting.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I am guardedly going to say something that is probably going to draw fire. Drive around Pittsburgh and try and find a place that manufacturers steel, anyplace. It all went overseas for all the reasons mentioned. At one time the USA made the best quality and lowest cost parts in the world and this is no longer the case. If it can be bought made in America awesome but it does not seem to be the case.

Look in the mirror and read all the posts here. Everybody is looking for the best quality lowest cost for parts available. Don't tell me you never buy other than American either or you vehicles, parts, etc. means you are walking in America.

Want to fix this and be back to the greatest nation in the world. You all know how to get back to building the lowest cost and quality parts again. 1) Stop all EPA laws and standards 2) Lower wages to levels that make sense again, get rid of Unions(oh that ought to get a rise). 3) Pretty much get rid of the high corporate taxes the Fed's use so everybody can have the Fed's tuck everybody in at night with all the supposedly free stuff given to you and you all know what they are so we shut up and not do anything. I get tired of hearing take it from the rich to pay the poor. You are so much anti-capitalist you cannot see the writing on the wall. Got news for you, those are the ones creating jobs, products, GNP we want and you keep stepping on them and they move, you guessed it overseas where they are allowed to make a REASONABLE profit. Which we in turn buy resulting in a negative GNP!!! All you care about is what "I" can get supposedly free and to heck with anybody else including the USA.

Here is another for you, the USA used to be a loaner nation we was the world bank. We are no longer a loaner nation and certainly no longer the world bank, China is!!!!!!

So unless you are willing to stop getting all the supposedly free perks from you Federal government it will only get worse. Yep when it all boils down, it is you and MY greed that got us here. You talk about COMMUNIST China they own the USA holding almost all the notes and loans we have in debt. Right now they maybe COMMUNIST but they actually allow entrepreneurs to design, make a reasonable profit building those things feel is necessities of live.

I am not COMMUNIST nor support their doctrine in the slightest. They are allowing us to destroy ourselves and we are letting it happen. All your whining doing nothing will not fix it only make it worse!!!!

I am sorry for the tirade, but after awhile hearing this blather that don't mean spit!!!! I know I will get flamed when people hear the truth it always happens. All the closed minds, don't want to hear it is there fault!!!!!! So there next course is name calling, spouting junk they have no factual means to support, only so they will not have to face the fact looking in the mirror, the enemy is ME!!!

So flame away, enjoy yourselves, I will not fight back, it is an exercise in futility specially for SOME who have posted and I expect flames from.

Have a nice day and as the President says "God Bless America" yes I also support leaving God in the pledge, etc.

 

[GOTSOOT]

I second the "GET RID OF THE UNIONS",but I FIRST get rid of OBAMA!!!

 

[LandShark]

Let's get back on track here... I just want to find some rotors that I can trust. The promise that some rotor sellers make that their rotors are made to OEM standards and ISO bla bla bla doesn't mean anything unless they can back it up with documentation and maybe a big performance bond. I'm sure the dry wall, the food with melamine in it and all the toys with lead and other heavy metals in them, were also made to some specs that were ignored.

So far I'm leaning to the NAPA Ultra Premium rotors ($92/each). At least they guaranteed 'No turn' and have a . 002 maximum runout spec. The other rotors don't even mention runout specs. Also I can't wait for the "improved vehicle appearance' that comes with the "Onyx Guard protectant that prevents rust and corrosion on the rotors hat and vanes"! (LOL)

 

[JKreiss]

I can't speak from personal experience but; a buddy of mine has about 20k or so on Napa rotors with no problems to speak of. 20k isn't much but so far so good.

 

[Cowboy]

Bob Cochran, 100 (a+) on your rant, I am a 43 yr union member and I know the organized labor movement outlived its need and usefulness in this country 70 yrs ago itsa only value now is to keep useless people employed and help elect socialist politicians. NOVEMBER IS COMING!!! VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN. Now as to brake discs, I purchased my slotted and drilled fronts from brakeperformance.com was assured they manufactured (and heat treated ) them onsite. call and see, might be what you are looking for, mine were 160. 90 a pair,no problems 30,000 mi, much more responsive braking over stock, no measurable wear so far. hope this helps.

 

[EdK]

I just had this very made-in-China discussion with my NAPA District Rep. I recently replaced my factory rear drums with NAPA drums. As the truck stops now, the last couple MPH causes near wheel-hop! He told me to keep replacing the drums until I get two that are round!!! Can you believe that??? The store manager has offered to turn the new drums at no charge.



The DR has a theory that the boxed drums are stacked so high in containers loaded on ships that they are bending rather than being warped from the factory.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Land Shark

If you like Napa tell them you want UNITED rotors, they are US or Canadian made and are high quality. Never had a set warp. You can still buy quality parts, you just need to ask and be prepared to pay for quality.

 

[Deezal Man]

Many thanks to Bob for taking the time to state what should be obvious to anyone with a basic understanding of economics. In the words of Warren Buffet: "If there is anything we've learned from history is that we don't learn from history".

 

[PVanderlugt]

Bob Cochran for President!!!, finally someone that get's it!!!!

 

[Bob Cochran]

If you can answer the question; how can you swim in a sewer and not get any sh#$ on you. Maybe someday consider running for office!!!! :-laf

Bob Cochran for President!!!, finally someone that get's it!!!!

GOTSOOT



While I believe unions have outlived there usefulness at this time. Having served them in many capacities the real problem is the membership, leadership, etc. are still made up of you and me!!!!



It seems when all else fails when analyzing the problem it boils down to the basic human nature "greed". :{

 

[krtcummins]

I just replaced all of my coolant hoses for the first time at 102,000 miles. Once off the truck the OEM factory hoses looked like new upon inspection. They would have gone another 100,000 miles most likely. I flush and replace my coolant every 30,000 miles.



Two of the hoses are 5/8" 90 degree bend hoses. I bought them all from my Dodge dealership, as I like factory OEM parts quality. (Well at least I did when the parts were made in the USA) The old adage "You get what you pay for" really does apply to vehicle parts. One of the hoses had "Mexico" printed on it. The other said "China. " So much for buying American stuff.



I blew a gasket back in 2001 when I found out my 01 2500 was made in Mexico. But I later learned on this forum the Mexican made trucks had fewer quality control issues than their US made counter parts! Go figure.



I replaced all of my brake rotors last year. I purchased them from Car Quest when Dodge wanted $250. 00 per rotor for the front ones. I asked the parts guy if the rotors came with new hubs. He said no. I think I paid around $90. 00 per rotor from car Quest. Three were stamped "Made in China" and one said Canada. There were very little visable differences in the rotors made in China VS the one made in Canada. Will they warp? Don't know. But I refuse to pay that much from the dealer when in all reality, their rotors are most likely made in Mexico or China anyway.



I come from the days when dealer parts were made in the USA and the quality was way higher than after market parts. Now I wonder,,,,,.