Brake kits: what are they and are they worth it?

June 15, 2022

If you are changing your own brakes and searching for parts like brake pads, you might come across something called a brake kit online or in-store. Let’s see what it is, what is included in a brake kit, and whether you should buy one or stick to buying parts individually. 

What is a brake kit?

Brake kits include all the parts you need to change your brakes, including rotors, brake pads, installation hardware, and even lubricants for your parts. Each brake kit is different too - for example, a Sport kit will include extra durable brake pads and drilled and slotted rotors for superior braking performance. Some kits are just for front brakes or rear brakes and some are for both. 

What are brake kits for?

Usually, brake kits are called big brake kits because they provide bigger-than-OEM parts that are installed by car enthusiasts to emphasise the braking power of the vehicle. Especially if you modify your car to have more acceleration power, you need to also upgrade your brakes to have more stopping power too. Other applications of big brake kits include off-roading, towing, and truck driving.

Are brake kits worth it?

When buying a brake kit, you will have to choose one that will fit your vehicle since every car has a different size of brakes, depending on the model, make, and year. Buying a brake kit from a reputable company will ensure you get all the right parts and enough of them. A brake kit takes the guesswork out of trying to figure out what installation hardware you need and whether your new brake pads and rotors will go together. This is especially key if you are shopping for a sports car—you need all your brake parts to be high-performance, not just one. But, if you will only have a couple of race track days here and there, you are better off buying the individual high-performance parts, like high-end brake pads, rather than investing in a brake kit that can run up to $3000! 

We say brake kits are worth it if you have a specific need for your vehicle but for daily driving to the grocery store and work, it’s probably not worth the investment and the work.