raybestos element 3 pads seem odd

[mbaker]

I picked these up off Amazon and when I went to put them on they just looked odd to me compared to the other element 3 pads I have purchased for other vehicles. Anybody have more experience with these to know whether this is normal or if these are possible knock offs? I've looked at multiple pictures online and even though the logo is slighlty different the printing on these just seems poorly applied, not that it really means anything unless these are fakes.

1. The logo printing on the back of the pad looks fuzzy. There is also a missing number that I typically see on these pads, generally something like 6 numbers and letter 120713Q for example (pic snipped from web).

2. the edges of the plate and the bonding between the pad and plate is rough, doesn't look finished very well and when I took these out of the package they seemed to be covered in dust even though they were shrink wrapped.

 

[71Chevyguy]

I hate to say it, but I have recently gotten a lot of bad stuff from Amazon. Even got a used EGR, didn't even try to clean it off or cover it up somehow. Just a used EGR in a box wrapped in the plastic bags they use for returns at the UPS store. Sold to me as new and OEM. Their stuff isn't nearly as cheap as it used to be. Not really convenient anymore because stuff comes, well, eventually. I think twice now when opting to buy something from them. I also make sure it is sold by them and not a third party because that is even worse. They were quick, cheap and convenient (prime), but that was a long time ago now.

 

[mbaker]

Sold and shipped by Amazon, I was going to order from RA but Amazon had these for same price and free shipping and would get here sooner so I took a chance. If it wasn’t for just getting 2 sets for another vehicle last month it may not of stood out so much.

Thinking I will call Raybestos in morning and see what they say but may end up picking up something from Honda or local parts so I can get this done and not wait until mid week now for new pads from RA.

 

[CDX825]

Word is starting to get around but Amazon and Ebay are both bad for selling counterfeit products.

There was a guy on one of the automotive forums I am on that worked at the Amazon warehouse and said that roughly 75 percent of the name brand parts they get are counterfeit. They know about the problem but are still selling them anyways.

 

[demarpaint]

I've had no problems with Amazon or RA, yet. Having said that Amazon CS imo is ten times better than RA regarding returning something, and you can actually call Amazon and speak to someone, although understanding them can be a challenge at times. I'd call Amazon, they'll make it right. FTR while it is a PITA and time is lost, these things can and do happen.

 

[Hall]

Sold and shipped by Amazon

Even that is no longer 100% safe (in all cases).

 

[mbaker]

I talked with Raybestos tech this morning and sent pictures and descriptions for review. It may all just be coincidence but will hopefully know more in a bit. Or course he told me Amazon was one of their verified resellers and he had never seen knock off raybestos pads. It may just be old stock Amazon had in warehouse, but if what I think is a date code is in fact a date code it looks like they were manufacturered last year.

 

[used2bahondafan]

Counterfeit parts can be a big risk. I purchased a genuine honda timing belt kit off of ebay sometime ago and it was clearly counterfeit after doing a side by side comparison w/the originals. But here's the rub, almost all global manufacturers are outsourcing to Chinese owned/operated factories. It's become an economic necessity. I would think that most auto parts produced these days have an origin in China. I'm not convinced that this fact will certainly lead to terrible parts. It's probably like another place on earth, there are good makers, and there are crappy/cheap makers.
Please let this forum know if these brake pads perform well or not well. I think we-the-people have to communicate if we are to ever find out the quality of parts. (Of course, electronic means of communications is highly corruptible; but what choice do we have?)

 

[Reggaemon]

Looking at that pad I'd say it was a fake unless Raybestos quality has really dropped off. In either case it's a bad thing.

 

[Greasymechtech]

For informational purposes, I'd consider buying the same brand/pn/pad from another supplier and compare.

I'd say that parts from ebay/amazon have been a problem. Most won't notice. Some of us do. The numerous 'store names' at Amazon, and 'sold shipped by Amazon' means nothing to me. Its some kind of fake justification of perfection, or pathetic blind trust!

 

[mbaker]

I thought about that but haven't found anywhere local yet that has them. RA would be Tuesday now at the earliest and I kinda need to wrap this up. Thinking I may just grab another set of honda pads that came off it and return these to amazon. Was looking forward to trying these on the van because they worked very well in my other cars.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I've used a few sets of Element 3 pads; they are always better looking than those. Here's a set I had in the garage for our 2006 TSX. Probably fit bazillions of Honda Acura cars.
You can search their catalog for your specific pads and compare to their pics.

 

[slo town]

Based on Jeff's pics, it seems obvious to me you got counterfeit pads from Amazon.

Scott

 

[mbaker]

That’s more what I expected although I think the logo did change to the element three at some point. But those pics are closer to the pads I got from RA a month ago a lot cleaner construction and it has the date code if that’s what it is on the back of the pad. I even pulled a wheel off the other vehicle just to compare. Granted, it’s hard to tell without seeing them in person, but all four of mine look worse than that, and one or two worse than the others. If they are authentic, I can’t believe the stamped pad is as rough as it is around the edges and again, if they are authentic, maybe I just got the random set that was on the rough side of everything, and made it through QC.

I think these are going back to Amazon though and I will hit local parts house to finish this up tomorrow.

 

[JeffKeryk]

That’s more what I expected although I think the logo did change to the element three at some point. But those pics are closer to the pads I got from RA a month ago a lot cleaner construction and it has the date code if that’s what it is on the back of the pad. I even pulled a wheel off the other vehicle just to compare. Granted, it’s hard to tell without seeing them in person, but all four of mine look worse than that, and one or two worse than the others. If they are authentic, I can’t believe the stamped pad is as rough as it is around the edges and again, if they are authentic, maybe I just got the random set that was on the rough side of everything, and made it through QC.

I think these are going back to Amazon though and I will hit local parts house to finish this up tomorrow.

For fun, you might wanna post a pic of the part label on the box, and I will do the same.
My came with hardware packed in plastic bag.

 

[mbaker]

Same it had hardware in box, all of that looked and fit ok as I grabbed them first and put the brackets together. It was when I went to install pads that it caught my attention.

Here is the label.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Sorry about the delay...
The leaf trademark is different. But dunno if it makes a difference?
Your label says "Made in Mexico". I Googled it up and read Raybestos pads are only made in China or Taiwan. Others can chime in...
I would guess yours are fakes, especially if they were much cheaper than RA, Buy Brakes, etc.
Good luck.

 

[Hall]

and read Raybestos pads are only made in China or Taiwan

Brake Parts Inc has multiple manufacturing sites in Mexico. I've got E3 pads on all (3) of our cars and I'm positive that at least one of the sets of pads were made in Mexico.

 

[HemiBenny]

I just put Element 3’s all the way around on my Daughters car and they looked great. Everything was crisp and clean with no visible defects that I could see, even the printing on the silver backing plate was crisp and clear. If they looked like that, they wouldn’t have gone on. I would suspect that those are counterfeit.
For the record, I purchased all of the Reybestos parts for her car from Rockauto.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Sorry about the delay...
The leaf trademark is different. But dunno if it makes a difference?
Your label says "Made in Mexico". I Googled it up and read Raybestos pads are only made in China or Taiwan. Others can chime in...
I would guess yours are fakes, especially if they were much cheaper than RA, Buy Brakes, etc.
Good luck.

I've seen China, Taiwan, USA, and Mexico.