brake service question

[coeng73]

Planning to get brake service performed at 40K. This would be the first time the brakes are being touched. I'm not a mechanic so I have some basic questions:

What exactly do I need to get done to them?

When should brake pads be replaced?

When do rotors need to be serviced and what exactly is done to them?

Just trying to avoid being jipped by the dealer.

[whizmo]

Brakes should be inspected at regular intervals but pad and rotor service is done on condition, not at certain mileage intervals. Basically, if they're working fine, you leave them alone until the pads wear out.

Brake mileage ibetween pad replacement is highly variable depending on drivers, terrain, etc. Certainly at 40K you might need one or both axles serviced, but you might not need either. Whether you do both axles or just one depends on the degree of wear - if you're only half-worn on one axle while the other is Okay, then you probably want to just do one axle. Dealers will usually report brake wear in terms of a percentage (e.g., 40% means you have 40% of your brake life remaining). Typically fronts wear out before rears, but not always.

Dealers are often very conservative on brakes and will recommend pad replacement too early, especially if they're having a slow month. So if they seem to recommending doing brakes before they should be needed, taking a look yourself or getting a 2nd opinion is a good idea.

Rotor servicing recommendations vary. Most dealers routinely require either replacement ot resurfacing at every pad change because this results in quieter brakes and fewer comebacks. But many good mechanics these days do not recommend routine rotor resurfacing - if the rotor surface is in good shape, just replacing pads is Okay. And if the rotor is worn, it's often simpler and only slightly more expensive to replace the rotor. Many of today's rotors are so thiin, resurfacing leaves then under spec and more prone to warping. I'd see what the dealer recommends here, but you could tell them that if the rotors look okay, you'd like to save money and just have the pads changed They'll probably either balk or tell you that your brakes will squeal. Dealers aren't generally looking to save you money - they want a simple job with good profit with little chance of a comeback.

I do brake work myslef (it's messy but easy) and never resurface. I replace the rotors ever 2nd or 3rd pad change depending on condition.

- Mark

[ictvuser]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by coeng73
Planning to get brake service performed at 40K. This would be the first time the brakes are being touched. I'm not a mechanic so I have some basic questions:

Try starting with a brake inspection. This should include the following: test drive, measuring the wear on the front and rear pads, and visual checks on the rotors, parking brake, brake fluid, and brake/abs hoses.

When should brake pads be replaced?

Pads are typically replaced when they reach 2mm or below.

When do rotors need to be serviced and what exactly is done to them?

Rotors should be turned if there is a problem found (e.g., warped, glazing, scoring, etc).

However, many dealers will turn the rotors whenever the pads are changed, even if there were no problems.

If the pads are around 2mm and I am not experiencing any vibrations or unusually noises with the brakes, I just request the pads to be changed and not have the rotors turned unless there is a problem.

Sometimes a dealer will refuse to do the brake job unless the rotors are turned.

What exactly do I need to get done to them?

In addition to the pads and rotors, you will find that your owner's manual recommends that the brake fluid be replaced every 3 years independent of mileage. Since you have an 04, you should be coming up on 3 years.

The dealer would probably recommend you have the brake lines flushed.

[coeng73]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Here are a few dilemmas I am facing now:

How can you tell if a dealer is telling you the truth about the condition of your brakes?

If I take it somewhere else for a second opinion, how can I verify that they are being truthful as well?

Where should I get my second opinion?

Should my second opinion really be my first opinion? Then go and see what the dealer says?

What should a brake inspection (i.e. "opinion") cost?

Is dropping the vehicle off twice and paying for two inspections worth the savings and inconvenience?

[gpraceman]

Originally posted by coeng73
Thanks for the advice guys.

Here are a few dilemmas I am facing now:

How can you tell if a dealer is telling you the truth about the condition of your brakes?

If I take it somewhere else for a second opinion, how can I verify that they are being truthful as well?

Where should I get my second opinion?

Should my second opinion really be my first opinion? Then go and see what the dealer says?

Sounds like you need to ask around with your neighbors, friends, coworkers (especially any gear heads) and find out where some good shops are. I'd use that over a dealer, in most cases.

Originally posted by coeng73
What should a brake inspection (i.e. "opinion") cost?

Is dropping the vehicle off twice and paying for two inspections worth the savings and inconvenience?

Brake inspections should be free. It's the repairs that'll cost you.

[BedfordFred]

Inspect them yourself!

1) Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left.
2) Engage parking brake
3) Loosen lug nuts 1/2 turn each on left front wheel
4) Jack up left front of Pilot.
5) Remove nuts and wheel.

You can look thru the slot in the brake caliper and see the thickness of your brake pads. Generally you want to replace before they get down to 1/16" of material left.


http://www.automedia.com/Replacing/B...cr20050701bp/1

[whizmo]

Unless you want to do the work yourself, at some point you have to find someone you trust and let them work on the car. Despite all the "stealer" labels applied around these parts, most of the dealers are pretty competent - they just err on the side of extra service and they're relatively expensive. But you'll likely get good work.

- Mark

[ictvuser]

Originally posted by coeng73
How can you tell if a dealer is telling you the truth about the condition of your brakes?

If I take it somewhere else for a second opinion, how can I verify that they are being truthful as well?

Where should I get my second opinion?

Should my second opinion really be my first opinion? Then go and see what the dealer says?

Have you been experiencing any problems with braking - such as vibrations, squealing/grinding noises, lack of stopping power?

If you are not experiencing any problems or issues with respect to the brakes then just call the shops or dealers (that you were considering) and ask the following:

a) Do they have free brake inspections? If not, what is the cost of the inspection and is it waived if you have the brake work done?
b) If required, what is the cost to replace the pads and turn the rotors per axle?
c) Can the pads just be replaced if the rotors are fine? What is the cost difference.
d) What is the cost for the brake fluid service. Your owner's manual recommends changing the fluid every 3 yrs and you have an 04.
e) What is the cost for a brake fluid flush? Depending on the difference in cost, it might be worth doing.
f) If it is a dealer, ask for the current service specials or discounts? If they have a web site, check it for discount coupons or specials. Check other local dealer's for specials/coupons (even if they are not convenient) in case your shop/dealer price matches.

Originally posted by coeng73
What should a brake inspection (i.e. "opinion") cost? ?

Some places have free brake inspections or it is bundled with another service (e.g,. rotating tires).

In your case, if you are going to do the brake fluid service anyways, just ask if they can inspect the brakes at the same time (at no additional charge) when you call them.

[lisanjake]

2003 Pilot, 46k...I have constantly asked dealer to verify brakes and replace if needed...just had insp in Dec 06, "No prob...getting a wee thin..."...BAM! All of a sudden i hear grinding in rear, bring in week later...new rotors in rear needed and resurface in front....NO SQUEAL indicators heard on any of he four pads...$700!!

Although, the brakes work great now!!

[Nathan @ NBO]

Originally posted by coeng73
Thanks for the advice guys.

Here are a few dilemmas I am facing now:

How can you tell if a dealer is telling you the truth about the condition of your brakes?



What should a brake inspection (i.e. "opinion") cost?

Is dropping the vehicle off twice and paying for two inspections worth the savings and inconvenience?

Honestly, I would say never go to the dealer, but that's just my opinion. Too many times they will try to hustle you. You can save yourself a lot of money and learn a lot by just picking up a Helms, and it's fun too! even if you aren't mechanically inclined ( I wasn't) I think it's a worthy investment learning everything there is to know about your car.