Brake pads Raybestos or Bendix

I've used Bendix for decades now. I think they're a very underrated brand. I've never had any troubles out of them. I was a mechanic for almost 25 years. I've used just about every pad out there. For my personal stuff, I look for Bendix. The reasonable price and excellent quality is what I've always appreciated.

I would raybestos element 3 and akebono pads on my Lexus rx300. No complaints.

Raybestos Element 3. They last a while and bite pretty well when braking hard

Bendix Ceramic. $20. OG rotors at 140k, they've been turned once and are within spec. Next time I'll grab the DD Centric rotor/pad combo off RockAuto for $55.

Pretty happy with them so far.

I'm still using the factory rotors as they calipered just fine within spec at 132k. I just put on some standard Bendix ceramic for under $20. Didn't even turn my rotors because they were smooth as glass as I live in the south. Made sure to service the slide pins of course. As far as durability, you just can't beat the factory rotors so if they are still within spec, I see no reason to replace.

Basically they feel factory new with a nice progressive pedal dynamic.

I put Akebono ProActs on my car 3 years ago, and it has the softest pedal of any car Ive ever owned; I almost have to plan ahead before hitting the brakes it takes so long to come to a complete stop. I Put the Raybestos E3 on my wife's van (which previously had warped rotors), and the braking was fantastic for the final 2 years we kept it. More bite, no warping (even with the Semi-metallic pads), stop on a dime, no noticeable noise. Meanwhile the Akebonos on my car squeal like frightened pigs now, and the rotors just started warping (hence why Im on this sub, comparing other brands).So I'm going back to the Element 3s, or moving up to PowerStop. IDC what Scotty Kilmer says about the Akebonos - the main thing I want from my brakes is to stop the car quickly and safely, hopefully without warping the rotors. Everything else is secondary. The friction on the "premium" ProActs is mediocre at best (also no warranty, but that doesn't really factor in for me). And with my family as passengers, Im more concerned with stopping safely than a little noise or dust, or pad longevity.YMMV, but for me, Im done with the 'bonos.

I would recommend Raybestos ST43s but they’re going to be the same price and availability is scarce.

Also ordered Raybestos pads and rotors.

3) Lastly, the brake pads' bodies are the right dimensions to fit the caliper brackets, but why would the friction-material footprint be so much smaller?! I can only think of negatives with using these.

First post in evo forum, looking for any advice on how to lower the noise from my raybestos ST-43 brake pads. I know that these are race pads, and I take the car to the track, but lately I've had to drive it to work as well. During city driving, when I brake from like 20mph, the screech is so loud its starting to become painful to my ears. I am trying my best now to just do sudden stops. They don't make much noise if I press the brake pedal firmly.