digidocs
Well Known Member
I recently bought three sets of brake pads from Matco, Rapco, and APS to get a better idea of how they compare to each other. I was halfway expecting that they would be virtually identical, but they are actually quite a bit different.
The pads below are organic compound "66-105" or "66-1050" as used on Matco RV-10 brakes.
Here are the contenders:
Rapco RA66-105 - $6.85/ea (rivets included)
Matco WHLM66-105 - $10.48/ea (no rivets)
APS APS66-10500 - $7.50/ea (no rivets)
I didn't include Cleveland because they were $15.25/ea!
Make sure to click on the image below to get a up close view.
Impressions from looking at them in person:
Rapco --- Looks "low cost", pad surface is rough and the pad itself appears "granular". Has the largest metal flakes embedded in the material.
Matco --- Pad material has a finer texture than the Rapco, but not as fine as the APS. Similar/slightly fewer flakes than Rapco. "Molding" of overall pad is a little cleaner than Rapco. I've seen some minor cracking occur in Matco pads before the pads are worn out.
APS --- Finest grain pad material of the lot with no visible metal flakes. The outside of the pad also has the most "precise" finish of the bunch. I'm curious to know if anyone has tried these.
Thoughts, comments, war stories welcomed...
.
The pads below are organic compound "66-105" or "66-1050" as used on Matco RV-10 brakes.
Here are the contenders:
Rapco RA66-105 - $6.85/ea (rivets included)
Matco WHLM66-105 - $10.48/ea (no rivets)
APS APS66-10500 - $7.50/ea (no rivets)
I didn't include Cleveland because they were $15.25/ea!
Make sure to click on the image below to get a up close view.
Impressions from looking at them in person:
Rapco --- Looks "low cost", pad surface is rough and the pad itself appears "granular". Has the largest metal flakes embedded in the material.
Matco --- Pad material has a finer texture than the Rapco, but not as fine as the APS. Similar/slightly fewer flakes than Rapco. "Molding" of overall pad is a little cleaner than Rapco. I've seen some minor cracking occur in Matco pads before the pads are worn out.
APS --- Finest grain pad material of the lot with no visible metal flakes. The outside of the pad also has the most "precise" finish of the bunch. I'm curious to know if anyone has tried these.
Thoughts, comments, war stories welcomed...
.