Do You Know Who Makes Duralast Brake Pads? (Ans Explained)

Duralast has made its name in the industry with lots of high-quality products including braking pads.

Often people wonder who makes Duralast brake pads because of their amazing quality and performance. 

In this article, I am going to answer all of those questions and recommend the best model. So, let’s get started. 

Who Makes Duralast Brake Pads?

AutoZone owns the brand Duralast. With years of making high-quality products, the brand has earned a good reputation. 

Depending on your vehicle and driving nature, the pads can last from a year to two. 

According to customers, some premium models even last up to 5 years. So, one has to admit that AutoZone does a pretty good job. 

Where Are Duralast Brake Pads Made?

Although AutoZone is based in Memphis, Tennessee, Duralast brake pads are made in China. 

But that doesn’t lower the quality of their products. Because design and quality control are in the hands of the retailer company. 

Are Duralast Brake Pads Any Good?

Yes, they are very good because of their long-lasting build quality. The pads are capable of providing minimal vibration smooth braking. 

Due to high resistance against corrosion, and premium build materials, buying Duralast brake pads are worth every penny. 

In some cases, it performs even better than the OEM part. 

About the Manufacturer

The manufacturer of Duralast brake pads is one of the largest retailers of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories in America. 

They also sell OEM parts that are capable of matching the original quality or exceed it. 

From 1979 to this date, the company has more than 6400 stores across United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the US Virgin Islands. AutoZone’s headquarter is in Memphis, Tennessee. 

The retail chain started the journey with the name “Auto Shack”. It was a division of wholesale grocer Malone and Hyde.

But a lawsuit made them change the name to AutoZone. Also, they were the first retailer to start a quality control program for the parts they sold. 

1989 was an eventful year for the company. They started using a computerized store management system which was kind of news at that time. 

In the same year, the retail company released their battery line named Duralast. The new brand promises long-lasting, reliable, and sub-zero performance. 

Right now, AutoZone has three private label brands; Valucraft, Duralast, and Duralast Gold. 

Their products are manufactured mainly by Johnson controls. But East Penn, Exide, and some other vendors are in the deal too. 

The most expensive lineup of Duralast brake pads is Duralast GT Street which is suitable only for a handful of applications. 

To increase brand value, AutoZone announced a corporate sponsorship agreement with NASCAR in 2004.

Furthermore, they sponsored Kevin Harvick and Timothy Peters in the Busch Series.

Despite such fame and popularity, AutoZone faced some backlashes due to some of its controversial activities. They settled some lawsuits in millions. 

What Are the Types of Duralast Brake Pads Available?

Simple, Gold, and Elite; are the three different brake pad series from Duralast. 

Distinguishing them is tough because they are almost identical in terms of quality and performance. 

Firstly, the basic brake pads perform better when low noise and low brake dust are the concerns. Don’t take my statement in the wrong way. 

It is not better than the other two series; better than its competitors of similar type. 

The basic type has OES-matched friction formulation, slots, and chamfers. The shims have two layers.

Secondly, you get the Gold series which is the best because of low noise and low brake dust. The difference from the previous type is that it has an OEM-matched friction formulation, slots, and chamfers. 

Also, the shims have 3 layers of vulcanized rubber, and the package includes stainless steel hardware. 

Thirdly, Duralast has their Elite series for us. It is a premium line of products with next-gen ceramic technology. 

You can find the comparison and more information from the official site of AutoZone.

Where to Buy Duralast Brake Pads?

If you search online to buy brake pads made by Duralast, you can only find them in AutoZone. 

Because the brand belongs to that online retail store. However, you can always find it in the nearest physical shop for auto parts. 

What Are the Best Duralast Brake Pads?

Among three types or qualities of Duralast brake pads, the Gold series is the best because of certain reasons. 

Now, it is not possible to mention one particular pad as the best. 

The reason is that brake pads selection depends on the vehicle model and whether you are going to install it in the front or rear. 

However, I want to mention Duralast Gold Brake Pads DG1521 because it has 3 layers of vulcanized rubber core steel shim. 

Therefore, the pads have special adhesives to endure maximum noise dampening. It has a corrosion-resistant powder coating for longer durability. 

Also, the Next-generation ceramic technology makes it the best Duralast Brake pad. It won’t harm your rotors.

Despite all those good features and reviews, lots of experts recommend staying away from the aftermarket brake pads. 

Because they are harder than OEM ones. Indeed, tougher pads last longer than the soft OEM pads, your rotor pays the price. 

If you are not willing to put the rotor in a bad position, you should pay more and buy premium brake pads. 

What Are Alternatives of Duralast Brake Pads?

There are some good alternatives to Duralast. EBC, Power Stop, and Hawk Performance are some of the good-quality ones. 

Click those links to see the best models of those brands. 

Furthermore, I have some more brands to suggest. Check out the brake pads from Brembo, Bosch, Akebono, or ACDelco. 

Conclusion

Now, you know who makes Duralast brake pads. It is perfect for those who own an SUV. 

Because the pads are resistant to corrosion; hence, last longer than most of their competitors. For smooth and almost instantaneous braking, you can rely on it.

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