USA made brake rotors?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 174
Likes: 8
From: Plainfield IN
USA made brake rotors?
I'm trying to find a supplier of USA made replacement brake rotors. So far the only supplier I've found is Bairs. Does anybody have any experiece with this supplier's rotors? Any other supplier of USA made?
Thanks
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
Blair is one, but CC might have US made.
I went to NAPA, but they just updated the site, looks nice but way too slow. After 10 min. I gave up, I got mine there three years ago.
They had a $40, $60 and $80 ones, the two higher priced ones were made in USA.
What price were you hoping to pay?
I went to NAPA, but they just updated the site, looks nice but way too slow. After 10 min. I gave up, I got mine there three years ago.
They had a $40, $60 and $80 ones, the two higher priced ones were made in USA.
What price were you hoping to pay?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I was told about this website by a buddy of mine. It says all their brake rotors are machined in the USA. Give it a look if you are interested. I cannot vouch for it personally though.
http://brakeperformance.com/brake-ro...ake-Rotors.php
http://brakeperformance.com/brake-ro...ake-Rotors.php
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
That is the same thing I was thinking Paul. That's why I mentioned what they say on their website, "Machined In USA". I just put it up there just in case someone else may be interested.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,028
From: eastern NC
You might check out the EBC's, they're manufactured in the UK according to their website. I've been using them on the wife's Acura's for a number of years now and never had any issues. I've also autocrossed a Miata on them for about 8 years (about 10k miles however) and they still look excellent. I believe that some of the vendors carry them, but this will give you an idea of the cost...
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/se...29&No=0&Npp=10
Good luck... GUSTO
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/se...29&No=0&Npp=10
Good luck... GUSTO
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 174
Likes: 8
From: Plainfield IN
So far Bairs is the only supplier I've found whose webpage says made in the USA. I've learned that generally if the supplier is silent as to where manufactured, they are not USA. Generally made in China. I want to stay with rotors with the rivit holes. Zip, Ecklers, Van Steel, VB&P all range in the ~$60 price range. Another indication they are made in China. USA made are a bit more for standard replacement rotor.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
As far as I know, no rotors are made in the US any more except for Wilwood's new Spec 37 rotors. I was told a couple of years ago, there were no more US foundries producing rotors. Most are China, Canada & Mexico. I buy mine direct from Bendix (with rivet holes) or my AC Delcos (non-rivet holes, which are Canadian) through my local AC Delco warehouse. Brian could be having them made for himself. Not sure.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,705
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From: Seattle Washington
So far Bairs is the only supplier I've found whose webpage says made in the USA. I've learned that generally if the supplier is silent as to where manufactured, they are not USA. Generally made in China. I want to stay with rotors with the rivit holes. Zip, Ecklers, Van Steel, VB&P all range in the ~$60 price range. Another indication they are made in China. USA made are a bit more for standard replacement rotor.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,358
Likes: 379
From: Plano TX
It is perfectly legal to take a white-box Chinese rotor that is finished except for the lug bolt holes, drill the 5 holes here, and put it in a colorful box that says "Made in USA".
The law only requires that the last significant machining step was done here. Lug bolt holes qualify as you can't use the rotor without holes.
Buyer beware.
The law only requires that the last significant machining step was done here. Lug bolt holes qualify as you can't use the rotor without holes.
Buyer beware.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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You can thank the aftermarket for inventing separate rotors.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
Although there is a higher probability that parts made in China are "suspect", being made there is not really the problem.
China can make "good" parts as well as "junk". It all depends on what material is used to make the parts and how they are heat treated. It is easy (and more inexpensive) to make parts that LOOK like the proper configuration than to make parts that are functionally equivalent to factory-made parts. And, it is impossible to tell the difference by looking at the parts.
My approach for selecting good quality "hard" parts (steering, suspension, engine, etc.) is NEVER to purchase the least expensive available part. You can be assured that the least expensive part is "junk". If you have some good brands of parts, go that way.
Finally, GM buys ALL of its parts, since it no longer has any manufacturing facilities. But, GM probably specs those parts appropriately; but they also charge a significant premium for that Chinese box with the GM logo!! So, I rarely buy a GM part...unless that's the only way to get one. (same with going to the "Zone"...)
China can make "good" parts as well as "junk". It all depends on what material is used to make the parts and how they are heat treated. It is easy (and more inexpensive) to make parts that LOOK like the proper configuration than to make parts that are functionally equivalent to factory-made parts. And, it is impossible to tell the difference by looking at the parts.
My approach for selecting good quality "hard" parts (steering, suspension, engine, etc.) is NEVER to purchase the least expensive available part. You can be assured that the least expensive part is "junk". If you have some good brands of parts, go that way.
Finally, GM buys ALL of its parts, since it no longer has any manufacturing facilities. But, GM probably specs those parts appropriately; but they also charge a significant premium for that Chinese box with the GM logo!! So, I rarely buy a GM part...unless that's the only way to get one. (same with going to the "Zone"...)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Here are the numbers on the boxes:
5473381
5473382
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
With this Global Economy, things may have changed, but NAPA's Ultra Premium rotors were made in the USA. Actually, the box and printed instruction sheet that they came in were exactly the same as Bendix' USA made rotors.
NAPA's "Premium " rotors said made in China on the box.
Delco is Chinese made last I checked.
If you want USA made rotors its best to check the box for country of origin to make sure.
Probably the Rotors on most new cars are sourced from China these days so..........
NAPA's "Premium " rotors said made in China on the box.
Delco is Chinese made last I checked.
If you want USA made rotors its best to check the box for country of origin to make sure.
Probably the Rotors on most new cars are sourced from China these days so..........
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Delco sold them, not GM as I understand it..
Last edited by Mike Ward; Oct 17, 2013 at 09:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,332
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From: PARADISE
St. Jude Donor '09-'11-'12-'13-'14
The original rotors on my 2002 C5 were made in Brazil, and the calipers in Australia. After 62K miles I just surfaced them and put on new Porterfield pads. Good as new again! FWIW I looked at NAPA Ultra Premium rotors, and they are made in China. The workmanship is flawless, but who knows what the material is like?.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
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From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Made in Australia
G'day,
If the calipers are made in Australia (which ALL Corvettes have used since 1983!) then rest assured that they will be of good quality. GM owns General Motors Holden in Australia and the local brake manufacturers have to make their products to the GMH standard. When supplying to GM USA, the quality has to be of at least the same standard as for the local cars.
They'd lose a valuable export contract if they cheaped out.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
If the calipers are made in Australia (which ALL Corvettes have used since 1983!) then rest assured that they will be of good quality. GM owns General Motors Holden in Australia and the local brake manufacturers have to make their products to the GMH standard. When supplying to GM USA, the quality has to be of at least the same standard as for the local cars.
They'd lose a valuable export contract if they cheaped out.
Regards from Down Under.
aussiejohn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
That is correct. I worked in an autoparts store at the time which sold Delco Brake Parts, and that's where I bought them. But the box has "A Product Of GM" printed on it. Was Delco Brake a GM Division at the time?
Also... the actual GM Parts Catalog Revision 11-81... Section 5.09 p.5-10 lists
"DISC, RR" 1965-1982 #3996663
"DISC, W/HUB, FRT" 1965-1968 3998278
"DISC, W/HUB, FRT" 1969-1981 3991024
Do you think the GM Catalog numbers crossed to the Delco numbers? In other words, if I walked into a Chevy Dealer in 1981 and purchased a rotor, would it have been in the Delco box? I'm not clear on the whole GM/Delco relationship back then.
Edit: Ecklers has these numbers listed on their web site as well as OEM numbers.
Also... the actual GM Parts Catalog Revision 11-81... Section 5.09 p.5-10 lists
"DISC, RR" 1965-1982 #3996663
"DISC, W/HUB, FRT" 1965-1968 3998278
"DISC, W/HUB, FRT" 1969-1981 3991024
Do you think the GM Catalog numbers crossed to the Delco numbers? In other words, if I walked into a Chevy Dealer in 1981 and purchased a rotor, would it have been in the Delco box? I'm not clear on the whole GM/Delco relationship back then.
Edit: Ecklers has these numbers listed on their web site as well as OEM numbers.
Last edited by Tom454; Oct 18, 2013 at 09:14 AM.