I used to be a big fan of raybestos for years, but lately i've noticed many of their brake pads and rotors don't fit exactly right. I do some brake jobs on the side and avoid raybestos now, because i usually have to end up taking them off and go buy another brand. Anyone else notice any problems or is it just me?
What has happend to raybestos?
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Just my opinion, but they probably went the way of the corporate rules and decided to make more less...
For the same amount of money, the Akebono ProACT pads are much better.
Many brands have gone to having their brakes parts made in China. I just recently tried to get some pads and rotors for a relatives Chevy Lumina and every brake part available local from NAPA, CarQuest and Auto Valve were from China. When I asked for USA made parts they said, we don't carry any and can't get them for you. Try the dealers.
I had to use AC Delco as they were the only ones made in the USA or Canada as the rotors were made there.
I had to use AC Delco as they were the only ones made in the USA or Canada as the rotors were made there.
I just put Raybestos PG Plus Ceramics on my daughters Galant. Fit perfectly and stop like a dream with no noise (after an aggressive mating/break-in). They were very reasonable at Checker Auto as well. I'm going to put a set on my son's Accord in the next few weeks.
Babyj, a couple things to note about brakes (which you probably know if you do this somewhat regularly), some cars have different set ups on the same year and model (Lincoln Town Car comes to mind) and if working on an "older" model who knows what may have been changed in past brake jobs.
When it comes down to it, use what you are comfortable with. Just my
Babyj, a couple things to note about brakes (which you probably know if you do this somewhat regularly), some cars have different set ups on the same year and model (Lincoln Town Car comes to mind) and if working on an "older" model who knows what may have been changed in past brake jobs.
When it comes down to it, use what you are comfortable with. Just my
This weekend I put some Raybestos 'PG' or something shoes on the rear drums of an older F150, three times on one side as I couldn't get the wheel to turn freely with the parking brake adjusted to nothing. I finally figured out that the notch in a shoe for a parking brake bar wasn't deep enough, and the shoes weren't resting on the pivot. I Dremeled out the notch a bit and everything worked ok.
Drums are a hassle anyway, trucks even more so, and after this I won't be buying Raybestos anymore.
It doesn't really matter where anything is made, all you gotta do is care a bit and implement some basic quality control. YOU HEAR THAT RAYSBESTOS ? AFTER BEING A CUSTOMER FOR YEARS I'LL NEVER BUY YOUR CRUMMY PARTS AGAIN, BUT I KNOW YOU DON'T CARE BECAUSE YOU'RE MAKING MORE MONEY.
Drums are a hassle anyway, trucks even more so, and after this I won't be buying Raybestos anymore.
It doesn't really matter where anything is made, all you gotta do is care a bit and implement some basic quality control. YOU HEAR THAT RAYSBESTOS ? AFTER BEING A CUSTOMER FOR YEARS I'LL NEVER BUY YOUR CRUMMY PARTS AGAIN, BUT I KNOW YOU DON'T CARE BECAUSE YOU'RE MAKING MORE MONEY.
Just installed a pair of raybestos rotors on the dodge. The box was stamped "made in the USA". On the rotors themselves, was stamped "made in Canada". Either way, the rotors fit well, perform fine, and overall seem to be a more quality product that the O.E.M. rotors. They were $45 each at my local parts house; i saw them i think, for $35 each on the net. ouch!
Akebono are way more expensive than Raybesto.
Raybestos Advanced Technology (formerly known as Quietstops) ceramics vs Akebono ProACT ceramics, if both were purchased from RockAuto.com, then yes the ProACTs would cost 25-40% more.
But Raybestos Advanced Technology Ceramics from my local parts store would cost the same as a set of ProACTs from Rockauto.
I seldom have issues with raybestos pads. I have encountered 3 pads correct and the 4th for a different year (brakes for a civic)
I have had some material too thick so you cant even put the caliper even when the piston is fully compressed. I still use the Raybestos line since the PGD-C line is very quiet and break-in extremely well. PGD-C's are considered ceramic but they are more of a semi-ceramic blend compared to the higher end ceramic.
All the shoe backings are apparently made in North America and NOT china according to my raybestos rep. The are having issues with them. I've had shoes that didn't allow the drum to go on due to incorrect geometry. Napa's stuff is Rabyestos so they'll have the same issues.
Just to let people know that alot of rotors that have stamped "made in USA" or "made in canada" are made in china. Theres alot of containers with fraudulant stamped origin that comes into North America.
Look at the thickness of the rotor between the vents. Alot of china rotors (raybestos now using china stuff) go cheap and have the proper thickness where the pads contact but the less material between the vented rotors.
Raybestos wheel cylinders are low quality junk made in china. I have no choice in the matter since we just have to accept that this is the trend. Coniseals are still made in USA but they still leak in a short duration of time. For Japanese cars I'll try to use OE japanese wheel cylinders. Domestics are screwed and all the replacement parts are from china with bad quality control (waterpump, master cylinders, electrical components etc etc).
Bendix seems to be the more consistant product but I still prefer the material raybestos uses.
I have had some material too thick so you cant even put the caliper even when the piston is fully compressed. I still use the Raybestos line since the PGD-C line is very quiet and break-in extremely well. PGD-C's are considered ceramic but they are more of a semi-ceramic blend compared to the higher end ceramic.
All the shoe backings are apparently made in North America and NOT china according to my raybestos rep. The are having issues with them. I've had shoes that didn't allow the drum to go on due to incorrect geometry. Napa's stuff is Rabyestos so they'll have the same issues.
Just to let people know that alot of rotors that have stamped "made in USA" or "made in canada" are made in china. Theres alot of containers with fraudulant stamped origin that comes into North America.
Look at the thickness of the rotor between the vents. Alot of china rotors (raybestos now using china stuff) go cheap and have the proper thickness where the pads contact but the less material between the vented rotors.
Raybestos wheel cylinders are low quality junk made in china. I have no choice in the matter since we just have to accept that this is the trend. Coniseals are still made in USA but they still leak in a short duration of time. For Japanese cars I'll try to use OE japanese wheel cylinders. Domestics are screwed and all the replacement parts are from china with bad quality control (waterpump, master cylinders, electrical components etc etc).
Bendix seems to be the more consistant product but I still prefer the material raybestos uses.
To answer the question "What has happened to Raybestos?" They have been sold. They used to be owned by Dana, who sold off their aftermarket businesses. The new owners (Affinia) inplemented many cost-cutting measures including closing many North American manufacturing facilities and moving production overseas. I suspect this accounts for the recent downturn in quality of their products. Unfortunately, this same company owns Wix filters. Not sure if there's any change there.
Yes they don't care at all. Go to Home Depot most of the merchandise is made in China garbage at the highest price . Yet people buy it.
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That is not a fair comparison because one retailer is charging more than the other, not the brand.
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