Let's talk about brakes

[Kazuki]

My Kizashi had 37k when I bought it used. I'm now at 119k. Haven't touched the brakes. . . yet.

[paininthenuts]

I have 36K miles on my car and was informed last month that no only do I need to change the brakes but the rotors as well. I didn't even know my brakes were worn down and wasn't told of such at my last inspection a couple months prior. Nothing irritates me more than unnecessary costs.

On average, how often are you guys changing out your brakes? 36K miles seems a little low.

I can only suspect that garages are the same in the U.S as they are in the UK. It is very unlikely you need new discs after that sort of mileage. Garages love to squeeze every last penny out of their customers, and it is standard for them to tell you that you need new discs, when you you only need new pads. If your steering wheel has been wobbly, or your brakes juddering, then you need new ones, otherwise, just tell them to change the pads.

[Woodie]

I'm with you PITN, but it's not just that they're trying to screw you, it's good business in some ways. Maybe the rotors are just on the verge of warping. Or maybe the other driver of the car (who isn't the one who is bringing it in) drives like Lewis Hamilton, and he/she has experienced shuddering that today's driver has not. So from their position it makes more sense to sell the new rotors right up front and be further insulated from a call back, which is going to hurt customer satisfaction and force them to do the labor again free.

I change brake pads like I do tires, when they're two thirds gone, they're gone. I also don't use them hard, I'm a pretty gentle driver. Therefore, I've had excellent results with just putting on new pads. But if I get a recall on my work I'm not hopping mad because I know I skirted the recommended procedure to attempt to save some money, it's on me. I also don't have to take time off work to go sit in a repair shop waiting room for a couple of hours, getting madder and madder. My repairs take place about twelve feet from my bed, takes about an hour to do a brake job, who cares?

[G13b]

Are you mechanically minded? then I strongly suggest do it your

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[G13b]

Are you mechanically minded? then I strongly suggest do it yourself will save you heaps. Replaced mine at 49k on all corners with Bendix premium pads.

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[ehart814]

It's easy. You need:
19mm socket with breaker bar
14mm wrench
12mm wrench
Wire brush
Brake cleaner
Rags
Brake grease
A hammer if you're removing rotors

And of course a jack and jack stands.

It's an easy job. Take your time and do it right.




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[paininthenuts]

It's easy. You need:
19mm socket with breaker bar
14mm wrench
12mm wrench
Wire brush
Brake cleaner
Rags
Brake grease
A hammer if you're removing rotors

And of course a jack and jack stands.

It's an easy job. Take your time and do it right.




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When I was younger I did all that stuff. When you get older and richer, you pay someone else.

[KuroNekko]

When I was younger I did all that stuff. When you get older and richer, you pay someone else.

If you're short on time, then I get it that paying others is optimal. Otherwise, doing it yourself is a quality assurance as long as you know what you're doing. I constantly find sloppiness, missing parts, wrong parts, and soiling of my car after "professionals" have worked on my car. Even if they do a good job, I'll find grease, dirt, or residue stains in my interior.
I'm a very meticulous person so it's not hard for me to spot something wrong and I do just about every single time whether it's mechanical work or body work. In the end, to them it's just a job and one amongst many. To me, it's my car I care about greatly and I have the motivation to make sure something is done well.

With older and rare cars like the VW bus, you can just about forget relying on a common mechanic, even at the brand dealership. You'll have to seek out a respected specialist for the vehicle or simply learn to wrench on it yourself.

[myfabulousbag]

I just had my break pads changed at 78,000. Rotors were fine. 36,000 does seem really low to need both changed. Second opinion?

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[ehart814]

It's easy. You need:
19mm socket with breaker bar
14mm wrench
12mm wrench
Wire brush
Brake cleaner
Rags
Brake grease
A hammer if you're removing rotors

And of course a jack and jack stands.

It's an easy job. Take your time and do it right.




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When I was younger I did all that stuff. When you get older and richer, you pay someone else.

Then what's the point of exchanging info on a forum?

When I was younger, I did such repairs for a living. This is why I do it myself. I have seen so many hack job "mechanics" do shoddy repairs and push it out the door. I really don't trust most places to do the job the way it should be done. The peace of mind knowing it's right is worth more than the money I save by doing the work myself.

I'm richer now, but not rich.

FYI a person has to go through far more training to legally cut your hair than to do repairs on your car (none).... At least in my state anyway.


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