Brake Life ?

[billpritjr]

Hello

Just brought my Pilot in for a oil change at the dealer and asked that they do a "general inspection" on everything. They just told me I need new brakes, front and back.

Problem is that I got the brakes, front and back, changed 3 years ago and we have only driven the car about 20K since then. I must admit that it is all urban, city driving, with many hills and speed bumps, but I kind of wonder if this work is really needed.

I have noticed NO brake problems or issues whatsoever.

Comments ? I told them to "standby" and we will re-visit the brake issue in six months.

[xGS]

Originally Posted by billpritjr

Just brought my Pilot in for a oil change at the dealer and asked that they do a "general inspection" on everything.
They just told me I need new brakes, front and back.

Problem is that I got the brakes, front and back, changed 3 years ago and we have only driven the car about 20K since then.
I must admit that it is all urban, city driving, with many hills and speed bumps, but I kind of wonder if this work is really needed.

I have noticed NO brake problems or issues whatsoever.

Comments ?

Get a second opinion from another shop.

However, my Pilot experienced about the same brake life, again, in mostly around-town driving.

The soles of my shoes don't exhibit any "problems or issues whatsoever" until they wear out, either.

[billpritjr]

Originally Posted by xGS

Get a second opinion from another shop.

However, my Pilot experienced about the same brake life, again, in mostly around-town driving.

The soles of my shoes don't exhibit any "problems or issues whatsoever" until they wear out, either.

ok sounds good. what I mean is no noise, poor performance issues, etc.

[mrcheap]

if u have a driveway you can take off the wheels and check

[whizmo]

I'd check them yourself or get another shop to check them. Dealers can be incredibly aggressive in recommending brake jobs - its a high-profit item for them. Many have a policy of recommending the work when they're anything more than half worn under the "better safe than sorry" banner.

20K isn't totally out of the question, but would be very short. I'd estimate that perhaps 5% of drivers will wear out a set of brakes in 20K in non-racing application. I do occasionally see these types of drivers on one of the twisty routes I regularly drive - following one of these yahoos, I never have to touch the brakes, but they're on/off the brakes/gas on every slight bend in the road and some even alternate between gas and brakes on the straights.

- Mark

[mikemcm]

Originally Posted by whizmo

I do occasionally see these types of drivers on one of the twisty routes I regularly drive - following one of these yahoos, I never have to touch the brakes, but they're on/off the brakes/gas on every slight bend in the road and some even alternate between gas and brakes on the straights.

- Mark

I followed a guy on the highway last month for 60 miles just to see him ride the brakes. Had to be a left foot braker, even accelerating I would still see the brake light come on.

[dustino8]

I went exceptionally long before my first change. 160k kms (100k miles) on the front and about 180k kms (115k miles) on the rears. Very dependent on driving style and city/highway driving.

[hillkw]

Originally Posted by dustino8

I went exceptionally long before my first change. 160k kms (100k miles) on the front and about 180k kms (115k miles) on the rears. Very dependent on driving style and city/highway driving.

I agree "very dependent on driving style ... "
I have just over 60,000 miles on my 2007 Pilot and the rotors look to be smoother (very shallow grooving) than any previous vehicle I've owned and the pads look to be about half way worn. Mixed rural & hwy miles.

[samc]

Look at the pads, how do they look?
Look at the rotors, any major groove or unusual markings?
Any unusual behavior such as one sided pulling while braking?

If not get a second opinion.

[94eg!]

Wifes 04 EX-L has the front pads replaced at 95k miles (rotors still smooth & thick) and the rear pads are still going at 105k. We also had an 03 Element that we bought new, and sold at ~93k miles with the original pads. OEM pads are Akebono brand. After my experience with these pads, I would NOT put anything else on these vehicles.

[samc]

The element oem pads are akebonos or for both cars?
I agree I am satisfied with the oem pads so unless they cost me alot of money then I will probably install another set of those.

[94eg!]

For both the Element and the Pilot. It's actually cheaper to order the pad set from Honda since they come with shims and the grease to stick the shims to the back of the pads.

Best price I could find with a quick search is $56 shipped for the fronts from G1Parts.com for my 04: http://www.g1parts.com/SearchResults...=45022-S9V-A01

Rears are $50: http://www.g1parts.com/SearchResults...=43022-S3V-A02

[samc]

Thanks for the links 94eg.

[hoorah]

Originally Posted by whizmo

I'd check them yourself or get another shop to check them. Dealers can be incredibly aggressive in recommending brake jobs - its a high-profit item for them. Many have a policy of recommending the work when they're anything more than half worn under the "better safe than sorry" banner.

- Mark

This, right here. I can't count how many times someone has called me and said "the dealer says I need new brakes RIGHT NOW. Do I?" only to have me look at them and see 30-60% of the pad left.

On our Pilot, the dealer told us that our rear pads were 'down to 2mm' over a year ago (20k miles). Every time we go in, they act like the sky is falling and that I need to change the pads right away. We've declined 3 times now. I checked them yesterday, they still have about 20% left of them.