Raybestos Advanced Technology Ceramic Pads

[The Critic]

I replaced the pads and rotors today on a 2006 Corolla with 37,501 miles with the Raybestos Advanced Technology ceramic pads and Advanced Technology rotors.

The pedal feel improved SIGNIFICANTLY with the new pads. When I drove the car to my work site, the pedal felt relatively soft and there was little braking action prior to pushing the pedal down halfway. After installing the new pads and rotors and bedding them in, the pedal feel improved significantly and just a slight tap on the pedal would return a decent "bite" from the pads. I did NOT bleed or flush the system.

Also, these pads included new hardware, but I had to reuse the mechanical wear indicators. The new hardware, while nice to have, beware that the fitment is a bit lousy. While it fitted into the bracket tightly, it didn't fit into the smaller notch on the bracket very well. The clip would leave a 1.5mm gap between the notch and the end of the clip. Not that this matters, but it could be better.

Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know that these pads should be worth considering for your daily driver. They are quiet, deliver great pedal feel and have an excellent backing plate and shim design from NU-CAP industries. But be sure to watch out for the fitment of the hardware that Raybestos includes.

 

[MaximaGuy]

I have used Raybestos QS ceramics and thoroughly impressed. Good ceramic (trusted name) pads for the price and readily available in local stores .. one cannot go wrong with Raybestos.

 

[cos]

I put the Raybestos AT pads and rotors on my Ford truck - so far I'm quite pleased with their performance and lack of dust. Of course I bleed the brakes every few yrs so the hydraulics stay clean/rust free.

 

[mechtech2]

All that means is that the new pads have good cold friction compared to the old ones. They may be better or worse when really hot, or wear more, or whatever. Most people are best served with pads that work well when not at racing temps, though.
On the pads, there are markings, like EE or FF. This denotes cold and hot friction characteristics.

 

[alanu]

The blue box professional grades are "semi ceramic" they work extremely well. IMO they are not as good as the QS series but for the significantly cheaper price most will go with the "professional grades" instead of the QS grade.

No breakin required on either line.

Toyota's are particularly horrible when it comes to clip hardware.

I bleed my brakes every other year or whenever I feel like it. It only takes about 20 minutes or less if you have a pressureized speedi bleed or a vacula.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
All that means is that the new pads have good cold friction compared to the old ones. They may be better or worse when really hot, or wear more, or whatever. Most people are best served with pads that work well when not at racing temps, though.
On the pads, there are markings, like EE or FF. This denotes cold and hot friction characteristics.

The edge code was FF.

Originally Posted By: alanu
The blue box professional grades are "semi ceramic" they work extremely well. IMO they are not as good as the QS series but for the significantly cheaper price most will go with the "professional grades" instead of the QS grade.

What's the price difference between the two in Canada? Here, depending on the vendor, the price difference between the Advanced Technology and the Professional Grade is less than $5.

 

[alanu]

Theres a HUGE difference between the Professional grade blue box and the QS/advance tech series. In some cases 2/3 more expensive if i recall correctly.

The wear characteristics of the professional grade is excellent. It truly surpasses alot of OE specs. Noise or squeeks are a thing of the past with the professional grade. If people have larger fleet vehicles the QS maybe the way to go but for passenger cars I think the PG is excellent.

 

[artificialist]

Does Raybestos make the NAPA branded brakes? If so, I'm going to recommend Raybestos, as the new Napa Adaptive one solves wear problems in cars where the inner pad wears out first. That, and they are quiet and pedal feel is unchanged.

 

[alanu]

Napa uses "united" which to my knowledge is the makers of Raybestos.

Alot of "napa" brand china rotors are the low line of Raybestos. Decent rotors for the price.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Does Raybestos make the NAPA branded brakes? If so, I'm going to recommend Raybestos, as the new Napa Adaptive one solves wear problems in cars where the inner pad wears out first. That, and they are quiet and pedal feel is unchanged.

Could you please explain why/how the Adaptive One pads solve the inner wear problems?

I was told that the Adaptive One pads have a more aggressive material on the inboard pad for better braking performance, but as a result the rotor (and presumably the pad?) will wear faster.

 

[PT1]

I am totally sold on the Raybestos AT pads & rotors. About 4000 miles on the Lexus job and they stop great! Hot or cold. No fade, No noise and much less dust. I will put them on everything as I have a local auto parts guy who will match prices very well. BTW, those pads should have a lifetime replacement guarantee so save the receipts.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: PT1
I am totally sold on the Raybestos AT pads & rotors. About 4000 miles on the Lexus job and they stop great! Hot or cold. No fade, No noise and much less dust. I will put them on everything as I have a local auto parts guy who will match prices very well. BTW, those pads should have a lifetime replacement guarantee so save the receipts.

Kragen said they only warranty them for life against defects. I think it varies by vendor. For instance, some vendors warranty Wagner ThermoQuiets for life as well, but some do not.

BTW, did you have any hardware problems with the included hardware? The clips didn't fit super well on mine.