Your vehicle’s braking system is the only thing standing between you and a potential accident. So if your brake components are due for a replacement, don’t go with cheap aftermarket parts. Instead, opt for Raybestos brakes and rotors.
With high quality, long-lasting parts for all types of vehicles and drivers, Raybestos can improve your overall safety and driving experience, as well as eliminate brake squealing and reduce brake dust.
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Comparison of the Best Raybestos Brakes
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Who is Raybestos?
Since 1906, Raybestos has been a leading innovator, manufacturer, and distributor of brake parts throughout North America. Through an expansive research and development effort, the company has created numerous brake components that meet or exceed OE standards.
As a result, customers turn to Raybestos for all of their braking needs. No wonder NASCAR counts themselves as one of the many customers of the brand.
To meet the needs of consumers, Raybestos also makes three different lines of brake products, including:
- Element3 Line
- R-Line
- Specialty Line
Through these product lines, buyers can choose the ideal braking part for their driving style, budget, and needs.
Who Owns Raybestos?
Since 1998, Brake Parts Inc. (BPI) has been the owner of the Raybestos nameplate. BPI is headquartered in McHenry, Illinois, which is a northwestern suburb of Chicago.
Review of the Best Raybestos Brakes
Let’s take a look at this year’s top picks!
Best Raybestos Rotors:Raybestos Performance Specialty Brake Rotors
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PROS
- Excellent pedal feel
- Cooling vanes match OE specifications
- Great braking performance in wet weather
- Black or Grey Fusion Coating for corrosion resistance
- S-groove slots for smoother braking and stronger bite
CONS
- May not have options for European models
Where Does This Item Land in Raybestos’s Lineup?
Raybestos Performance Specialty Brake Rotors are a high-quality option, slotted between the Element3 and R-Line product lines. Part of the Specialty Line, these brake rotors are specifically designed for high-performance and luxury vehicles.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
With a slotted design, these brake rotors reduce brake fade and improve braking consistency. As a result, this product is an ideal choice for high-performance street vehicles, trucks, and SUVs. In addition, the quiet operation perfectly fits the opulent vibe of luxury vehicles.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Unless you have specialized braking needs that require superb stopping power, other brake rotors may suit your needs at a cheaper price. Plus, those in coastal areas may prefer the superior anti-corrosion coating found on the Raybestos Element3 Brake Rotors.
Bottom Line
Made specifically for high-performance vehicles of all types, Raybestos Performance Specialty Brake Rotors provide excellent stopping power compared to similar products. But everyday drivers may find these rotors a tad on the expensive side for their needs.
Best Raybestos Brake Pads:Raybestos Element3 EHT Brake Pads
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PROS
- Superb durability and pad wear
- Five-layered shims for reduced noise
- Noiseless operation, even at high speeds
- All hardware included for easy installation
- Works with most domestic and foreign vehicles
CONS
- Users report no directions in the box
Where Does This Item Land in Raybestos’s Lineup?
Raybestos Element3 EHT Brake Pads are the premier product from Raybestos’s lineup. With EHT (Enhanced Hybrid Technology), these brake pads provide the best attributes of both ceramic and semi-metallic variants. This includes quiet operation, as well as great stopping power.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
Due to their OE-compatible chamfers and slots, these brake pads fit on most domestic and foreign vehicles of varying body styles. Noiseless operation also makes this product ideal for everyday drivers, while excellent braking power provides performance options for more aggressive drivers.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Budget-conscious buyers may want to opt for the Raybestos R-Line if they wish to save on costs. In addition, drivers that tow or haul heavy payloads may want to go with a semi-metallic brake pad found in the company’s Specialty Line.
Bottom Line
If you want one of the best brake pads on the market, look no further than Raybestos Element3 EHT Brake Pads. Quiet and durable, these brake pads have a long life span with ultimate reliability. However, more affordable or specialized options from Raybestos may vibe better with certain buyers.
Best Raybestos Rotors for the Money:Raybestos R-Line Professional Grade Brake Rotors
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PROS
- Made from high-strength G3000 material
- Users report impressive bite right after installation
- Rotor thickness leads to the extended life of brake pads
- Modeled after OE rotors for excellent fit and simple installation
- Industry-leading coverage, fitting 99.8% of vehicles on the road
CONS
- Lacks a non-corrosive coating
- Users report fewer ventilation vanes than OEM rotors
Where Does This Item Land in Raybestos’s Lineup?
Raybestos R-Line Professional Grade Brake Rotors are the entry-level option in the company’s brake rotor product line. They’re not as performance-driven as Element3 or Performance rotors, but they still provide excellent value compared to some competitors.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
These rotors are ideal for any type of everyday driving, whether running errands or commuting. Additionally, the rotors are ideal for drivers that put a premium on safety, dependability, and long-lasting performance.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Because the R-Line series is the entry-level brake rotor option from Raybestos, those with heavy-duty, high-performance or luxury vehicles may find that the Element3 or Specialty Line rotors are more suited to their performance desires.
Bottom Line
Reliable and affordable for everyday drivers, Raybestos R-Line Professional Grade Brake Rotors are a solid replacement choice for OEM brake rotors of nearly every type of vehicle.
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Best Raybestos Brake Pads for the Money:Raybestos Service Grade Brake Pads
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PROS
- Fits many older model vehicles
- Chamfered ends to reduce braking noise
- Easy to replace with no specialized tools necessary
- Slotted and chamfered to meet or exceed OE standards
- Available in ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic varieties
CONS
- Doesn’t include installation hardware
- Some users report mediocre braking performance
Where Does This Item Land in Raybestos’s Lineup?
Raybestos Service Grade Brake Pads are the entry-level product in the company’s lineup. But despite their price point, these brake pads provide superior value over brake pads of similar cost.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
With ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic options, these brake pads are versatile enough for all types of vehicles and frugal drivers. The ceramic brake pads provide less noise, while the semi-metallic option offers improved stopping power. Finally, the organic pads are the most affordable in the Raybestos lineup without sacrificing basic performance.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Those who drive muscle cars or heavy-duty trucks and SUVs may find that Element3 or R-Line brake pads are a better choice. As a result, drivers who need to stop quickly or brake at high speeds may find these brake pads less than passable.
Bottom Line
Super affordable, durable, and quiet, Raybestos Service Grade Brake Pads are a first-rate option for everyday drivers and commuters. But if you want a brake pad with amazing braking and more quiet performance, Raybestos has better options albeit at a more expensive price.
Runner-up Raybestos Brake Pads:Raybestos Element3 PG Brake Pads
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PROS
- Low amounts of brake dust (ceramic versions)
- Consistent with OE standards for ceramic brakes
- Both ceramic and semi-metallic brake pad options
- Superior braking power at low and moderate speeds
- Noise-dampening shims for less noise and increased durability
CONS
- May not meet the needs of high-performance or aggressive drivers
Where Does This Item Land in Raybestos’s Lineup?
In the Element3 lineup, these brake pads are second only to the Element3 EHT brake pads. Still, this product is a higher grade than the R-Line series, providing superior overall braking on most vehicles.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
Drivers looking for a quiet ride and stellar braking performance will find the Raybestos Element3 PG (Professional Grade) Brake Pads to their liking. Also, the ceramic variants have low amounts of brake dust, reducing the need for frequent wheel cleaning.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Everyday drivers may find that these brake pads have more stopping power than necessary. For high-performance drivers, the Element3 EHT Brake Pads may have a better bite and overall braking necessary for high speeds and cornering.
Bottom Line
Drivers that want superior performance at a budget-friendly price may find that the Raybestos Element3 PG Brake Pads check all the boxes. Muscle car enthusiasts or those with specialized braking needs (towing and hauling) might discover better satisfaction with other options on this list.
Runner-up Raybestos Brake Rotors:Raybestos Element3 Brake Rotors
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PROS
- Best-in-class performance, even in wet conditions
- Coating also provides a nice aesthetic with alloy wheels
- Mill-balanced edges for proper balance and less vibration
- Superior G3000 construction for improved tensile strength
- Proprietary Grey Fusion 4.0 coating for improved anti-corrosion resistance
CONS
- Expensive compared to other Raybestos options
Where Does This Item Land in Raybestos’s Lineup?
Raybestos Element3 Brake Rotors are Raybestos’s super premium rotors, landing above the R-Line and Performance brake rotor product lines. As a result, these are ideal for driving that requires exceptional braking in all environments.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
Thanks to the Grey Fusion 4.0 coating, these brake rotors are perfect for cars in rust-prone areas, such as cold- or wet-weather climates. In addition, this product is machine-finished and constructed out of G3000 material for improved durability and reliability for more aggressive drivers.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Budget-conscious buyers will find that R-Line Professional Grade Brake Rotors provide more value for the price, as they may not need the stopping power associated with the Element3 model. Those that live in warm or dry climates may also choose a different option, as the extra coating may be unnecessary.
Bottom Line
When it comes to brake rotors, few other competitors can top Raybestos Element3 Brake Rotors. However, everyday drivers may find the performance of these rotors unnecessary, overkill, or too expensive for their budget.
Best Raybestos Brake Pads for Trucks & Towing:Raybestos Truck & Medium Duty Specialty Brake Pads
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PROS
- Low-fade braking translates to superior safety
- Great stopping power in all weather conditions
- Fits most domestic, Asian, and European models
- Rubber-coated, stainless steel hardware included
- Ideal for Class 1 through Class 8 trucks, commercial-grade vehicles, and air-disc vehicles
CONS
- Users report poor braking retention at times
Where Does This Item Land in Raybestos’s Lineup?
Raybestos Truck & Medium Duty Specialty Brake Pads are specifically formulated to handle the heavier weight of trucks and commercial vehicles. These brake pads are the most affordable in the Raybestos lineup.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
These brake pads are the top choice for drivers that desire excellent stopping power for heavy-duty and niche vehicles.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
If you don’t own a truck or medium-duty vehicle, these brake pads likely won’t fit. Therefore, drivers of cars should turn their attention to the Element3 brake pad line for performance or Service Grade brake line products for affordability.
Bottom Line
With tons of stopping power, Raybestos Truck & Medium Duty Specialty Brake Pads will bring even the heaviest payloads and largest vehicles to a stop. Car drivers should opt for something else.
8. Raybestos R-Line Reliant Friction Brake Pads
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PROS
- Reliable stopping power for everyday drivers
- Slots and chamfers that mimic OE brake pads
- Layered steel shim for reduced noise and squeal
- Available in ceramic or semi-metallic formulations
- Wide coverage for most cars, vans, SUVs, and light-duty trucks
CONS
- Less thermal resistance than other options
Where Does This Item Land in Raybestos’s Lineup?
Raybestos R-Line Reliant Friction Brake Pads are the mid-grade brake pads in the company lineup. These brake pads are slotted between the high-end Element3 and the all-purpose, inexpensive Service Grade brake pads.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
With few fitment problems and both ceramic and semi-metallic options, these brake pads are perfect for commuters and everyday driving. The semi-metallic variant is ideal for towing light loads while the ceramic version has less brake dust and quieter performance without squeaking or squealing.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
If you tow often, the Specialty Line of brake pads is a better choice. Similarly, muscle car drivers or those with the need for speed may find the Element3 brake pads a better fit for their driving style.
Bottom Line
Although Raybestos R-Line Reliant Friction Brake Pads aren’t the top-of-the-line option, they provide two options to suit different drivers at an affordable price. Leadfoots should lean toward the Element3, while thrifty DIYers should go for Service Grade brake pads for simple installation that’s easy on the wallet.
Best Raybestos Brake Rotors for Trucks & Towing:Raybestos Specialty Truck & Medium Duty Brake Rotors
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PROS
- Mill balanced for a perfect fit
- Ideal for severe-duty vehicles
- Enhanced iron construction provides premium durability
- Black Fusion or Full Grey Fusion 4.0 anti-corrosive coating
- OE-specified cooling vanes for greater brake responsiveness and noise dampening
CONS
- Some users report pulsations at first
Where Does This Item Land in Raybestos’s Lineup?
Raybestos Specialty Truck & Medium Duty Brake Rotors are specialized products made specifically for severe duty vehicles. As the only rotor in this product line, they have no comparison product. However, they do offer some of the best braking overall from Raybestos.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
These brake rotors work on larger SUVs, full-size vans, trucks, fleet vehicles, trucks, and even buses. With such versatility, any driver of a larger vehicle that puts a premium on safety and stopping power will find these brake rotors satisfactory at the least.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Car drivers should opt for the Element3 brake rotors on this list instead of these brake rotors. This is due not only to fitment issues, but the Element3 also provides less noise and brake dust, which are both nuisances to everyday or high-performance drivers.
Bottom Line
With severe-duty applications for unique and niche vehicles, Raybestos Specialty Truck & Medium Duty Brake Rotors provide optimal braking and safety, even for heavy loads and towing. Conversely, drivers of smaller cars will find fitment problems and should research other brake rotors on this list.
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What Else Does Raybestos Make?
Although Raybestos is a leader in brake pads and brake rotors, they also design and manufacture a number of other products. When paired together, drivers will discover better overall performance that’s long-lasting and fit for all types of driving styles. Here’s a quick glance at the rest of the products from Raybestos.
Calipers
Like Raybestos’s brake rotors and brake pads lineup, the company’s calipers come in the Element3 and R-Line lineups. Similarly, the Element3 caliper is for aggressive drivers while the R-Line versions (plated and remanufactured) are more affordable, durable options.
Zinc electroplating on R-Line plated calipers provides superior protection from rust. Contrarily, R-Line remanufactured calipers are made from remanufactured parts that have been tested for safe, leak-free performance. However, these calipers don’t have any zinc plating, exposing to salt, moisture, and other corrosive elements.
Hub Assemblies
Coming in three generations, Raybestos hub assemblies are designed and tested for premium temperature control, endurance, and resistance to the elements. Generation 1 is the entry-level version and Generation 2 adds a flange. At the high end, Generation 3 provides a second flange that affixes to the vehicle’s suspension. These are all under the R-Line product series.
Hydraulics
Raybestos produces a number of products in its hydraulic lineup to suit the needs of all types of drivers. These parts include master cylinders, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, and brake cables.
Brake Hardware
R-Line brake hardware is the ideal choice for replacement parts or spare parts to repair Raybestos brake components. Abutment clips, drag reduction clips, low-frequency dampers, anti-rattle clips, retraction springs, and bleeder screws all fall under the brake hardware umbrella.
What Makes Raybestos Brakes Stand Out From the Competition?
With over 100 years in the industry, Raybestos is a trusted name for aftermarket parts—and with good reason. Known for their durability and high performance, Raybestos continually churns out top reviews and ratings from car enthusiasts, novice mechanics, and even competitive racers.
Raybestos also features one of the best warranties in the industry. All brake parts except for the Service Grade Line receive a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty to put consumers’ minds at ease. But even the Service Grade isn’t left behind, providing a 90-day warranty for peace of mind.
Raybestos Professional Grade vs. Advanced Technology Rotors
In a head-to-head matchup, many professional and novice mechanics prefer Raybestos Advanced Technology Rotors compared to Raybestos Professional Grade Brake Rotors. This is namely due to the coated hats and vanes that keep corrosion in check. They are well-built and solid, but still affordable.
Professional Grade Brake Rotors from Raybestos are also a decent, inexpensive choice that provides great stopping power. But the most important difference is that the Professional Grade Brake Rotors do not have any rust-protective coating, making them more susceptible to corrosion—especially in wet or cold weather climates.
Raybestos vs. Wagner
Although Raybestos and Wagner offer similar product lines, they vary in many ways. Overall, consumers find Raybestos to be the better product. But here’s a quick compare and contrast of the two leading aftermarket brake part manufacturers.
Accurate Machining
One of the key differences between Raybestos and Wagner is in the thickness of their respective brake pads. While Raybestos brake pads are designed and machined to OE specifications, Wagner pads are a bit wider, restricting the free movement of the pad within the caliper assembly.
Backing Plate Design
Raybestos uses steel backing plates to improve pad shear strength. Unlike Raybestos, Wagner brakes don’t offer this technology, possibly being more susceptible to pad shear (where the pad material separates from the backing plate)
Warranty
One advantage that Wagner has over Raybestos is its warranty. Despite Raybestos’s generous three-year, 36,000-mile warranty, Wagner tops it with a lifetime warranty on all of its products.
Product Lines
Both Raybestos and Wagner offer several product lines for different budgets and styles. The Raybestos lineup consists of Element3, Specialty Line, R-Line, and Service Grade. Similarly, Wagner has Wagner OE, Wagner TQ, Wagner QS, and Wagner SD that vary in durability and quality.
A Final Word on Raybestos Brakes
Aftermarket brake parts often fall short compared to OEM. But with a variety of prices, applications, and products, Raybestos is a premium name in braking solutions. When combined, Raybestos parts provide the safety, comfort, and convenience that few other companies can top.
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People Also Ask
Even NASCAR trusts Raybestos for its braking needs. But even with a track record of durable and reliable brakes, many consumers may have some other questions about the company’s products. Here are some of the most often asked questions about Raybestos’s products.
Where Are Raybestos Brake Rotors Made?
Despite a lengthy history of engineering, manufacturing, and testing its brake components in North America, Raybestos has shifted its production elsewhere to cut costs. As a result, the company can pass the savings along to customers.
Currently, most of Raybestos’s product line is made in China or Taiwan. However, the company regularly sends quality assurance professionals to these locations to ensure ISO standards and check the products for quality and consistency.
What Kind of Warranty Does Raybestos Offer?
As mentioned above, Raybestos offers a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty on all of their Element3, Specialty Line, and R-Line products. The Service Grade brake pad line doesn’t offer a mileage warranty, but Raybestos does honor a 90-day warranty.
What is the Raybestos R-Line?
Aside from Service Grade brake pads, the R-Line is the entry-level product line in the Raybestos lineup. The R-Line comes in easy-to-match packaging, so you can always ensure that you’re using the same parts for ultimate compatibility. R-Line products aren’t limited to brake pads and rotors; the product line also offers two types of calipers and hub assemblies.