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H. L. Chauvin · 10-18-2014, 08:14 PM

Just one experience why bonded brakes are not all alike.

Anybody remember the "Big Brake Co." that emerged in about 1971.

Complete brake job for $69.99 with a life-of-the-car warranty on only the "Big Brake" linings; but ........ in the warranty fine print, the warranty was not covering the $60.00 "Big brake" labor to replace the linings.

I tried them & after about 2,000 miles I could hear iron to iron.

I went back to "Big Brake" & listened to the Manager sheepishly explaining to the big shouting & mad guy ahead of me that the management knew their "Big Brake" linings were cheap & not lasting; however, the manager was most willing to replace the linings for free using new NAPA brake bands.

The manager then asked me if I needed help & when I walked forward, I noticed the guy in front of me had a .38 caliber Police Special Smith & Wesson pistol pointed at the manager.

I told the manager I was with the guy with the pistol & I needed NAPA brake bands too -- the manager said OK -- the guy with the pistol just looked at me & said nothing.

"Big Brake" Shops did not last long -- I never went back.

Maybe somebody can explain the moral of this wonderful experience over 40 years ago!

10-18-2014, 08:14 PM	#10
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: How to stop? Just one experience why bonded brakes are not all alike. Anybody remember the "Big Brake Co." that emerged in about 1971. Complete brake job for $69.99 with a life-of-the-car warranty on only the "Big Brake" linings; but ........ in the warranty fine print, the warranty was not covering the $60.00 "Big brake" labor to replace the linings. I tried them & after about 2,000 miles I could hear iron to iron. I went back to "Big Brake" & listened to the Manager sheepishly explaining to the big shouting & mad guy ahead of me that the management knew their "Big Brake" linings were cheap & not lasting; however, the manager was most willing to replace the linings for free using new NAPA brake bands. The manager then asked me if I needed help & when I walked forward, I noticed the guy in front of me had a .38 caliber Police Special Smith & Wesson pistol pointed at the manager. I told the manager I was with the guy with the pistol & I needed NAPA brake bands too -- the manager said OK -- the guy with the pistol just looked at me & said nothing. "Big Brake" Shops did not last long -- I never went back. Maybe somebody can explain the moral of this wonderful experience over 40 years ago!