I run a small mobile mechanic business and I’m just wondering what brakes are used here. I mainly use Raybestos RLine and their Element3 line. Ive used some store brands and centric rotors aswell. On rock auto there is alot of options for let’s say a 2016 Town and Country. I see people mention Wagner, Bosch, and Dynamic Friction a lot. What brakes do you guys recommend that have little to no noise and good stopping power for a 2016 Town and Country.
What brakes do you guys use?
- Thread starter MattLawz
- Start date
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
Akebono for me.
Centric
Pads: EBC Ultimax2/Blackstuff (not available on Rock Auto)
If you want something from Rock Auto, get Akebono, Advics, or Pagid Silver
Rotors: Powerstop Geomet coated
Coated rotors are a MUST if you have to deal with rust!
Also, Rock Auto carries OEM Mopar
If you want something from Rock Auto, get Akebono, Advics, or Pagid Silver
Rotors: Powerstop Geomet coated
Coated rotors are a MUST if you have to deal with rust!
Also, Rock Auto carries OEM Mopar
I run Wagner on the CRV.
For pads, I use PowerStop Evolution. They are clean, quiet, and for ceramic, they stop pretty good.
For rotors, I have no particular brand. I do always use coated rotors from a leading brand.
For rotors, I have no particular brand. I do always use coated rotors from a leading brand.
As a hobbyist who fixes my own and helps a few others, element3 has fallen off the list recently. While I was happy to find something other than akebono, in most cases they are a safe bet though pricey. ACT for most normal applications, and recently ASP for more bite.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2023
- Messages
- 865
Its been about a few months since upgrading my worn OEM rotors and pads to PowerStop Z23 set, and did my drum shoes a few days ago with matching shoes. Both pads and shoes are "FG" rated. The pad bite and stopping difference from OEM was a big difference for me which was what I wanted that suited for spirited driving and better stopping distance in heavy traffic conditions and off ramping on the highway. How long will they last? No idea until we see then but hopefully it holds up in the next 50K miles.
I originally wanted EBC slotted rotors but wasn't available at the time for my car so I hit the deal with Powerstop z23 at RockAuto.
So far I'm liking the experience.
I originally wanted EBC slotted rotors but wasn't available at the time for my car so I hit the deal with Powerstop z23 at RockAuto.
So far I'm liking the experience.
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2015
- Messages
- 806
Akebono
What are the OE brands for U.S cars? Because I don't recognize any brand except Akebono and they Japanese OEM.
Running cheapo coated discs and Metzger pads.
Used Zimmermann before.
Volvo uses ATE and Galfer as OE supplier.
Running cheapo coated discs and Metzger pads.
Used Zimmermann before.
Volvo uses ATE and Galfer as OE supplier.
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2022
- Messages
- 6,027
To me, Akebono is like Valeo. They are OE suppliers. Our GM made in Michigan has Valeo OE wipers.
https://akebonobrakes.com/oem
Centric discs, for sure. Dynamic Friction "active Performance" metallic pads for better stopping power. Does produce dust, but that is a tradeoff I am willing to accept.
Just a few friendly suggestions from a Shop owner and mechanic:
1. Lose the Raybestos Element 3's - they used to be my go to pads - loved them but now they are awful. Poor fitment and worst yet poor pad material. I have already seen failures on several cars I did in the past that I good will warrantied they were so bad - my personal vehicles as well experienced cracking pads, pad material coming loose, glazing and noise. I actually would not risk any Raybestos brake parts at this point. There have been several others discuss the lack of quality as well here on BITOG.
2. Get yourself a commercial account at Autozone and go ProVantage(or your choice but my opinion and experience proved AZ to be the best) and use their GOLD series brake parts. They run specials all the time where you can increase your profits. The run brake specials were you get 2 Gold rotors and Gold pads for $149 or less. That means you can make good money on the mark up. The best reason is the warranty they provide - any issues and they pay your labor.
3, Stop all mail order parts unless absolutely necessary. I mean this 100%. When you fix a car and have to warranty a part - you have to wait and go thru hassles on line and the customer is never happy about waiting. You get your parts local from AZ or where ever and you can replace that part same day and retain a customer.
With that all being said - I have been using AZ gold series pads and rotors and have been extremely happy and have zero comebacks....but still get haunted from the element 3's I did way before switching to AZ brakes in Jan of last year.
1. Lose the Raybestos Element 3's - they used to be my go to pads - loved them but now they are awful. Poor fitment and worst yet poor pad material. I have already seen failures on several cars I did in the past that I good will warrantied they were so bad - my personal vehicles as well experienced cracking pads, pad material coming loose, glazing and noise. I actually would not risk any Raybestos brake parts at this point. There have been several others discuss the lack of quality as well here on BITOG.
2. Get yourself a commercial account at Autozone and go ProVantage(or your choice but my opinion and experience proved AZ to be the best) and use their GOLD series brake parts. They run specials all the time where you can increase your profits. The run brake specials were you get 2 Gold rotors and Gold pads for $149 or less. That means you can make good money on the mark up. The best reason is the warranty they provide - any issues and they pay your labor.
3, Stop all mail order parts unless absolutely necessary. I mean this 100%. When you fix a car and have to warranty a part - you have to wait and go thru hassles on line and the customer is never happy about waiting. You get your parts local from AZ or where ever and you can replace that part same day and retain a customer.
With that all being said - I have been using AZ gold series pads and rotors and have been extremely happy and have zero comebacks....but still get haunted from the element 3's I did way before switching to AZ brakes in Jan of last year.
I like the grip of semi-metalics. Don't care much about brand. Usually Rock auto.
I order from Rock Auto for myself. I would agree with GMBoy if I was doing it for a customer.
I have put 3 sets of cheap pads and rotors from amazon on my 2009 Grand Caravan within 100 000km.
I moved up a tier this time. Napa proformer pads and OE+ coated rotors
. They stop great TBH. Put them on 2 days ago. Hopefully they last more than 30 000km. These vans are heavy though with undersized brakes. They do wear quick.
Cheap pads link. Dont recommend.
Max kit
I moved up a tier this time. Napa proformer pads and OE+ coated rotors
. They stop great TBH. Put them on 2 days ago. Hopefully they last more than 30 000km. These vans are heavy though with undersized brakes. They do wear quick.Cheap pads link. Dont recommend.
Max kit
I'm off the Raybestos Element 3 bandwagon as well. Horrible results on a 2015 Oddy. Centric has never let me down.
Most Centric items are now reboxed/relabeled Raybestos products.
