Replacing front brake pads on a VAZ 2108 (2109, 21099)

It is impossible to imagine driving a car without reliable and effective brakes. Vehicle safety and people's lives depend on them.

Recently, the number of sales of VAZ cars has been increasing, which leads to an increase in demand for consumables, including brake pads. For VAZ cars, the car market offers a wide range of elements for brake systems. They are divided according to the materials used in production, their methods of fixation and brands.

In our rating, we will help highlight the Top leading brands of brake pad manufacturers for VAZ cars, guaranteeing their quality.

AC Delco

The brand is registered in the USA (a division of General Motors). One of the best brake pads used in many car models, including VAZ cars. They are reliable, last a long time, and are easy to install. Efficiency, safety, reliability, heat removal from the rotor, ensures the use of advanced technologies in the production process. Specialists have created a special semi-metallic composite mixture using steel fibers.

ACDelco has been tested to SAE J2784 standards and is proven to provide high friction braking performance. The pads have slots and chamfers that suppress noise, vibration and harshness when braking.

The drum pads are reliably protected with an anti-corrosion coating. The environmentally friendly production process does not use heavy metals or asbestos. They are similar in shape to the original brake system components and no adjustment is required during installation.

Advantages:

• reliability;
• strength;
• durability;

Flaws:

• high price.

Signs of wear

There are several main signs that indicate the need to replace the pads at the front and rear in the very near future.

These are the main signs of pad wear that any car owner can detect without disassembling the structure.

Bosch BC905 Quiet Cast

The German brand Bosch is famous for its quality products. This brand produces ceramic and semi-metallic brake pads with effective braking capabilities. The manufacturer uses cast pad technology, which protects the nozzles, provides stability, strength, and noise reduction. Slots and chamfers with original design ensure good fit and performance.

The gasket with a rubber core has good insulating properties and provides quiet and soft braking. The kit includes fasteners and synthetic lubricant. These parts are suitable for cars whose drivers prefer ceramics, but do not want to lose speed in extreme conditions.

Advantages:

• low dust levels;
• use of aerospace alloy;
• reliable protective layer.

Flaws:

• high price.

High-quality replacements for standard pads (article number, approximate price)

STS

The Russian company “STS Company” produces good quality products for the low-price niche.

They have good friction properties and thermal stability. Together with the Friction Materials Group company (monitoring compliance with norms and standards), a unique friction composition of 15 components was created. “STS Company” produces a large line of brake pads for rear and front discs, suitable for the entire model range of VAZ cars. Based on the test results, it was found that at a speed of 100 km/h, with cold brakes, it showed good friction coefficients of 0.48.

ROSDOT

A team of experienced professionals and JSC TIIR, with the participation of European specialists, create elements of brake systems for VAZ cars from harmless friction materials. The raw materials for the friction composite do not contain asbestos, nickel, or copper; they are purchased in Austria and Germany, some of which have no analogues in Russia.

Considering their low cost, ROSDOT brake pads have good wear-resistant characteristics and heat dissipation. Thanks to the use of Italian mastic, the pads do not emit extraneous noise at low temperatures and when they get wet. In terms of price-quality ratio, Rosdot front and rear brake pads have no equal. The products maintain stability of the friction coefficient over the entire operating range of temperatures, speeds and pressures;

Advantages:

• high braking efficiency;
• ergonomics;
• disc-saving properties;
• reasonable price.

Flaws:

• wear out quickly.

Original brake pads (article number, approximate price)

EzATI

Manufacturer: Yegoryevsk plant of asbestos technical products. The range of pads competes with Western similar products, with prices 30% lower. E55 code pads are made without the use of asbestos in the friction material, using expensive organic elements. Such pads are recommended for use in cars whose drivers love fast and aggressive driving (friction coefficient 0.46). With this driving style, their service life is 40-45 thousand km.

Pads with code T266 with stable performance characteristics and effective braking (friction coefficient 0.37). The manufacturer declares in the documentation a service life of 20-25 thousand km with a calm driving style, without constant overloads and emergency braking.

When installed, these products do not require adjustment and ensure performance for the entire declared service life. The products meet the requirements of AvtoVAZ and are supplied to its conveyors. Considering multiple counterfeits, the company, as part of product protection, began to paint metal frames using triboelectric spraying with blue polymer materials. In addition to protection against counterfeiting, this method creates mechanical and corrosion resistance, as well as a beautiful appearance.

Vati

JSC "VATI-AVTO" produces good environmentally friendly pads for domestic cars, this positions the products as safe for the environment, thereby satisfying European standards and safety requirements.

Friction properties in cold conditions and high temperatures after warming up show good results. Test results: at a speed of 100 km/h, with cold brakes, the friction coefficient is 0.35, when they are heated to 250 degrees, the coefficient increases to 0.37. During the mountain test cycle, the braking coefficient is 0.40, and during cooling – 0.47. The products are characterized by good wear resistance, no dust formation, and a gentle effect on brake discs.

Advantages:

• good quality/price ratio;
• durability;
• work without squeaks and noises;

Flaws:

• limited model range.

High-quality substitutes (article number, approximate price)

Bosch BP976

Like all Bosch products, brake pads guarantee quality. They provide braking power, sound insulation, reliability and durability. For production, special ceramics, organic, non-asbestos, semi-metallic and NAO materials are used. They guarantee safety and durability.

A rubber gasket with a core is installed on the pads. The slots and chamfers ensure a good fit. Designed for a relaxed driving style. Tests showed the following indicators: at a speed of 100 km/h, with cold brakes, friction coefficients are 0.48. When they were heated to 250 degrees, the coefficient decreased significantly, to 0.3. During the mountain test cycle the braking coefficient was 0.36, and during cooling it was 0.46.

Advantages:

• the pads are effective in braking on the mountain cycle;
• low level of wear;

Flaws:

• reduction in the efficiency of characteristics at elevated temperatures.

ATE

The manufacturer Continental Teves produces front and rear ceramic pads with good braking performance, low wear resistance, disc-saving, silent, and soft braking. The products belong to the upper price category.

Test results showed that at a speed of 100 km/h, with cold brakes, friction coefficients are 0.58. When they were heated to 250 degrees, the coefficient decreased slightly, to 0.47. During the mountain test cycle the braking coefficient was 0.43, and during cooling it was 0.48. The friction coefficient turned out to be one of the highest among the pads for VAZ cars.

Products do not lose their performance qualities until maximum wear. This is achieved through the use of innovative manufacturing technologies and friction composite materials. They use non-ferrous metals (chrome, nickel, titanium), this classifies these ceramic products as “luxury”. Thanks to the large assortment, ATE products can be used in all VAZ car models.

Advantages:

• proven quality;
• wear resistance;
• stability of characteristics.

Rear TC

The algorithm for replacing rear TCs on a VAZ 2109 is as follows.

1. Place the car on a flat surface and loosen the tension on the wheel bolts.
2. Unlock the pads by fully lowering the parking brake handle.
3. Raise the rear of the car with a jack and remove the wheels.
4. Place wheel chocks under the front wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving.
5. Unscrew the brake drum studs from the rear wheel.
6. Using a wooden block and a hammer, knock the drum off the TK.
7. Clean the surfaces using the dry method and compressed air.
8. We begin full dismantling work.
9. Remove the upper garter spring. For this you will need pliers.
10. The lower spring is removed in the same way.
11. Remove the front TC guide spring.
12. Remove the expansion bar.
13. Next, the guide spring of the rear TC is dismantled and moved to the side.
14. Remove the end of the parking brake cable from the lever.
15. Remove the hand brake drive. To do this, you will need to remove the cotter pin from the finger, and then remove the finger itself.
16. The dismantling work has been completed, so now everything should be reassembled in the reverse order, only with a new rear TC.
17. Before installing the drum, be sure to compress the cylinder pistons so that the outer diameter of the shoes is smaller than the inner diameter of the drum.
18. Assemble the unit, steps in reverse order.
19. Lower the car to the ground, press the brake pedal several times, which will allow the pads to fully take their place.

Perform the procedure on both wheels. The principle of replacing rear TCs is the same. Just don’t forget to bleed the brake system after completing the work.

MarKon

MarKon brake pads are considered the best in the budget price segment. The product line is extensive, with over 500 models. The manufacturer uses a soft friction mixture for the pads with more than 20 components in its composition.

The products adhere well to the discs, thereby preventing them from wearing out prematurely (although their service life is short, 20-30 thousand kilometers). Before grinding in, the pads initially make a squeaking sound, but during operation it disappears. The reason is the mismatch between the geometry of the pads and VAZ discs. When testing on dynamic stands, the friction coefficient turned out to be stable throughout all cycles (0.42-0.44).

Advantages:

• cheap price;
• efficiency;
• maintainability;
• rapid heat removal from the contact zone.

Flaws:

• needs to be changed frequently;
• insufficient strength of the material;
• gathering dust.