Brakes stand as crucial components of a vehicle, shaping both comfort and safety on the road. People often weigh their choices by selecting brake discs and the pads they already own or those a retailer recommends.
In today’s market, this approach can lead to higher costs as the next set of pads and discs or drums may need replacement sooner than expected. The landscape is crowded with a flood of unfamiliar Asian brands, and in some cases counterfeits of familiar European names, especially since some manufacturers no longer supply to Russia.
steel handle
Some unscrupulous producers mix low-cost steel fragments into the friction lining, causing faster wear of brake discs. The logic is simple: a rougher abrasive makes the block feel stronger and increases the friction coefficient, which translates into stronger braking. But the downside is clear: louder operation, quicker wear of the pads and discs, and more unpredictable pedal feel, making precise braking harder to gauge.
For Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris models, the rear brake pads can be removed by loosening the two guide bolts and sliding the caliper aside.
Fitting new rear pads to replace worn ones is not always straightforward. The caliper piston must be retracted into the cylinder. Without the right tools, this task can be done with needle-nose pliers by applying steady pressure while turning the piston, though this is not ideal and requires care to avoid damage.
Fat in pads
A high-performance brake pad contains more than 30 components in a carefully engineered balance. Engineers precisely calculate the mix of abrasives, fibers, and metals to ensure safe performance and long-term durability. Harmful asbestos, once common in older formulations, was phased out long ago and replaced with organic compounds, metal sulfides, synthetic compounds, and lubricants that enhance reliability and heat resistance.
Lubricants play a critical role in brake pads. They help reduce unnecessary wear, keep the system quieter, and allow for more accurate modulation of pedal force. A well-balanced composition ensures efficient heat dissipation and structural integrity, so the pads hold up under high loads and temperatures.
The likelihood of counterfeit or low-quality Chinese-made blocks being engineered with careful material selection is low, given the stakes involved in performance and safety.
What to choose?
Even affordable pads from reputable brands can perform well for daily driving, protecting expensive discs from premature wear without compromising safety. However, prices have risen, and many models are harder to find in some regions today.
One option gaining traction is Za Rulem branded pads for both foreign and domestic cars. They offer solid quality at a lower price point because they are produced locally with modern equipment, delivering dependable protection without breaking the bank.
Rear brake pads for Kia Rio/Hyundai Solaris.
Front brake pads for Kia Rio/Hyundai Solaris.