bad decision about replacing brake pads?

[coeng73]

I'm wondering if I did the right thing last week...

I took my '04 Pilot in for a VTM-4 fluid change and a brake inspection.

I have 37K miles and have never had anything done to my original factory brakes.

I was expecting the dealer to push me to get new brake pads. They told me that I had 20% pad life remaining in the front and 25% remaining in the rear. The mechanic stated that I have a few thousand miles left on them before I needed to replace them. As you can imagine, I was pleased that they were honest about it.

I knew that I was being charged (~$48) for the brake inspection itself. I was told of this charge by the service rep when I dropped the Pilot off. At the time of drop off, I also asked him if I there was a need to perform any real brake maintenance (pad replacement, etc) if the brake inspection fee would be waved and he said yes.

So when he called me to tell me my brakes were fine for a few thousand miles, I thought I would save myself some dough (thinking into the future) by instructing him to replace the front pads now anyway($99) without grinding the rotors.

He said fine, but indicated that they would not responsible for any vibration in the brakes because the rotors were not to be touched by the mechanice.

Well, its been a week almost and I have yet to feel any vibration or ill effect from not having the front rotors ground.

I plan on taking the Pilot back in Sept to have my brake fluid replaced, and rear brakes done.

My questions are:

1) Did I make the right decision?

2) Should I have the front rotors ground in Sept when I have the rear ones done?

3) What if I don't? Will it lead to an hazardous situation?

4) Do pads have to be replaced when rotors are ground? If so then that may mean that the answer to #1 was NO since I would need to replace the front pads again.

[Roger]

You'll be fine, don't worry about it.

[af06Pilot]

If you have no vibration and the brake are working as they did before, then your OK. If the discs have a raised ridge or uneven wear, then the rotors should be turned, but it's difficult to know so the dealer (and any mechanic) always recommends turning the rotors. I have with many cars replace only the pads without turning the rotors.

[sski]

When the rotors start warping (and they will) I suggest getting the dealer to machine them under warranty. When its time to replace them I'd suggest a set of premium aftermarket rotors. The Honda rotors will just warp again and probably cost just as much as the premium aftermarket.

The premium rotors on my Pilot are significatly thicker than factory (resist heat build up) and the Pilot stops on a dime. I've had some panick braking situations that I thought I was going to put myself thru the windshield if I didn't have my seatbelt on.

[whizmo]

I never turn rotors. If they're badly scored or below spec, I replace. Sounds lik you did exactly the right thing to me.

- Mark

[john802]

I never turn rotors especially for Japanese vehicles since they are susceptible to warping.

[rocky]

Unless you are feeling warped rotors, don't worry about them simply replace the pads and drive on.

I have to check but surely brake fluid doesn't need replacing at 37k

[Sunday Rider]

Originally posted by rocky
Unless you are feeling warped rotors, don't worry about them simply replace the pads and drive on.

I have to check but surely brake fluid doesn't need replacing at 37k

I think it is 3 years regardless of mileage

[hondacuraplanet]

Originally posted by Roger
You'll be fine, don't worry about it.

Agreed.

[hondacuraplanet]

Originally posted by Sunday Rider


I think it is 3 years regardless of mileage

Just like anything, there's an ideal set of circumstances, and a pragmatic. The reason for replacing brake fluid is because it can accumulate moisture which can lead to component failure.

Ideally, it should be replaced. Pragmatically, it'll probably be fine.

[coeng73]

All,

Thanks. I feel much better now!

I guess the front rotors were in good shape since they didn't try to push me the slightest to regrind them, replace them, or turn them.

Follow-up on the brake fluid:

I plan on getting the brake fluid replaced in Sep b/c it will three years from when I bought it. I'd rather play it safe and have it changed than have to deal with an expensive brake repair job later on due to neglect.

1) What exactly can happen if brake fluid is not changed? What's the extent of possible damage (estimated dollar amount)?

2) Does it make sense to replace the brake fluid w/o flushing the brake hoses? I guess this relates to question #1 somewhat with regard to what happens if you don't do it.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by coeng73

1) What exactly can happen if brake fluid is not changed? What's the extent of possible damage (estimated dollar amount)?

2) Does it make sense to replace the brake fluid w/o flushing the brake hoses? I guess this relates to question #1 somewhat with regard to what happens if you don't do it.

1) Probably nothing for most people during the normal life of the care for the first owner.
Maybe a failed master cylinder or ABS pump/valve assemble (Over $1000)
It is cheap insurance.

2) What do you mean exactly. There is only ONE proper way to replace the fluid, and that is through flushing it out.

Replacing the fluid in the reservoir without flushing and bleeding the brakes is like "painting over rust".

[whizmo]

Yes, as Jay says, replacing the brake fluid basically means flushing the system out. You replace the fluid in the master cylinder with new, then bleed the brakes, then top off again. There's really only one way to do it.

Brake fluid changes are exactly like oil changes. If you don't do them, the car runs fine for awhile. Eventually it takes its toll and you start having issues with the brakes that require replacement of master or slave cylinders, or worst case, ABS pumps. And like oil change intervals, you can find folks who think it's crazy to do it less than once/year and others who say you never need to do it. I think a prudent strategy is every two years or so, but if you do it slightly more/less often, it probably doesn't matter. I wouldn't make a special trip to the dealer to do it right at the 3-yr mark, but just have it done the next time the car is serviced.

- Mark

[Sunday Rider]

Agree with both whizmo and N_Jay. I think coeng73 meant do you need to flush is with some cleaner perhaps, not the brake fluid iteslf.

I can tell you from my motorbike, I change it every 2 years. This came as a surprise once when cleaning the calipers on the bike and saw this "crud" that was in the brake pistons. It was gummy stuff, that probably would have seized the calipers.

So cleaning out every 2 or 3 years is very cheap insurance indeed.

[BLACK03EXLRES]

Originally posted by whizmo
I never turn rotors. If they're badly scored or below spec, I replace. Sounds lik you did exactly the right thing to me.

- Mark

I agree with Mark and others here...

Turning the rotors in todays vehicle can take the rotor below spec, reducing metal thickness and increasing the chance of warping. Especially a 2 plus ton SUV. Just replace if damaged.