Been shopping for brakes and like most purchases I make I do my due diligence to buy American made products. While not always possible or prohibited by cost I do my best.
Came across Baer (though have been aware of them for years) touting this Made In the USA video

Link to original video: https://youtu.be/kXakcHOPSuM

Pretty slick video and sure looks like they are made in the US. One thing however I did notice was that you don’t see a single brake pad in the video. That caliper looks to be loaded but they sure aren’t spotlighting the pads like they are the rotors.
So I inquired about the pads, turns out the pads are not made in the states and the rotors are not either technically they are cast overseas and just drilled, slotted and coated here.

quote:

Thank you for your message. Both the Sport rotors and pads are manufactured oversea to our specifications. Rotor casting are then processed (cross drill and slot) in out Phoenix, AZ manufacturing facility and then are zinc plated locally.

Semantics maybe but at least New Balance has the Made in the USA line and the Assembled in the USA line giving the consumer a little better understanding.

Haven’t fully ruled out Baer but have swayed a bit back to EBC. Their pads are made in Cleveland and to my understanding the rotors fully made in the UK.

I'd go with what works best. I had EBC green pads and EBC standard rotors at all 4 corners on my 2008 expedition for over 50k miles (closer to 60k I think) before I traded it in last June and they were great.

I bought a rain jacket recently with a tag proudly emblazoned with an American flag, which in very small print states: "Designed in the USA, Made in Bangladesh"

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
I'd go with what works best. I had EBC green pads and EBC standard rotors at all 4 corners on my 2008 expedition for over 50k miles (closer to 60k I think) before I traded it in last June and they were great.

These are my top 2 contenders

EBC S4KF1534 Stage-4 Signature Brake Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008..._api_i_4O8QCbH37M63G

Baer Sport Drilled Kit
https://www.carid.com/2016-for...model[]=SUBMODEL|XLT

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
I bought a rain jacket recently with a tag proudly emblazoned with an American flag, which in very small print states: "Designed in the USA, Made in Bangladesh"

At least they spelled it out for you Baer is not as clear.

quote:

Baer Brakes are MADE IN THE USA! We do all the CNC machine work, assembly, and even powder-coating in house at our headquarters in Phoenix, AZ. Watch the birth of a high performance brake system here...

No mention of the rotor casts being made overseas and nothing about the pads.
Not to mention the “birth” would be more of the forge/casting done overseas in my book.

I only used EBC on my bikes, and thus far EBC has been my favorite on cars as well. I don't think you can go wrong with them.

I wonder if Baer will be called to task like Gillette was. My experience with foreign-made rotors was extremely poor, and I wouldn't want to repeat it.

Are you going to put them on a vehicle that's made offshore, or most of it's parts come from offshore?

I've used BAER brakes on Corvettes. They work great and look fantastic. Follow the bedding process if you want maximum performance.

Raybestos good brakes never had an issue.

They claim American made.

http://www.raybestospowertrain.com/historyhighlights

I've bought many sets from Summit Racing
https://www.summitracing.com/

Great service, ship same day.

quote:

Originally posted by az4783054:
Are you going to put them on a vehicle that's made offshore, or most of it's parts come from offshore?

I've used BAER brakes on Corvettes. They work great and look fantastic. Follow the bedding process if you want maximum performance.

I am picking up what you are putting down but I do believe that the Expedition is the most American built full size SUV available.
I know it is dang near impossible to get fully American made anymore. But I still do my best to seek it out when making purchases.

They reason we can't get 'full American' is American's don't want to pay what it would cost.

Then, define "made". Completely thought of, designed, and manufactured from materials sourced in America??

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
They reason we can't get 'full American' is American's don't want to pay what it would cost.

Then, define "made". Completely thought of, designed, and manufactured from materials sourced in America??

I am clear on the cost and it is unfortunate. Though there are times when I am willing to pay it.


As noted in my original post it may be semantics but yes. Made in America would be that of all American materials and labor.

Granted there are very few of these any more but New Balance is an example.
Their Made in The USA line is just that. Their Assembled in the USA are crafted here of imported materials.
Also if I am not mistaken LaRue stuff is all made of domestic materials.

Cost is one reason. Some things can no longer be manufactured in the US due to environmental regulation.

Slotted and/or cross drilled are going to wear the pads out a lot quicker. You won't notice any difference in stopping power over standard rotors unless you do 5 or more panic stops from 65 mph in a row...….They do look cool though.