Help with brakes in BC! :(

[fishmaster]

Originally Posted by Ticketyboo

Give me a shout if you need help changing the pads, i can also look at the rotors and if they do need machining, just nip to the local store to have them machined... no need to machine them just for the sakes of it... i find alot of garages charge for this and the rotors really dont need them.

Exactly. If the pads are not worn down to metal(making grinding or squeeling noise), they likely dont need turning. If they're smooth, and don't have any obvious grooves in them or are not warped, they're fine. I changed my own brakes in my old bronco many times and didn't often need to machine the rotors. Every brake shop will want to machine or replace your rotors because they want your money. That being said, if you are unsure of what you are looking at, make sure someone who does(ticketyboo perhaps) helps you.
Shaun.

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by fishmaster

Exactly. If the pads are not worn down to metal(making grinding or squeeling noise), they likely dont need turning. If they're smooth, and don't have any obvious grooves in them or are not warped, they're fine. I changed my own brakes in my old bronco many times and didn't often need to machine the rotors. Every brake shop will want to machine or replace your rotors because they want your money. That being said, if you are unsure of what you are looking at, make sure someone who does(ticketyboo perhaps) helps you.
Shaun.

Unfortunately it's down to metal on metal - and has been for a week or so. It's pretty rough - we thought it was a mechanical issue, but nein.

From here on out though I'm going to get the pads and do it regularly, I'm just concerned that we've already gone through one set within 42k - seems a bit off, but it might just be my experience, who knows. Back breaks are at 70% still

I think I'm going to just have Toyota do the works and toss in a clean/reseat of the rear brakes, 305 for everything and then I have the security. I'd be more akin to DIY if my girls weren't involved - but since they are, that is where my concern lies...

[fishmaster]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

Unfortunately it's down to metal on metal - and has been for a week or so. It's pretty rough - we thought it was a mechanical issue, but nein.

From here on out though I'm going to get the pads and do it regularly, I'm just concerned that we've already gone through one set within 42k - seems a bit off, but it might just be my experience, who knows. Back breaks are at 70% still

I think I'm going to just have Toyota do the works and toss in a clean/reseat of the rear brakes, 305 for everything and then I have the security. I'd be more akin to DIY if my girls weren't involved - but since they are, that is where my concern lies...

Well, if it's that bad, $300 for Toyota to do it is a good deal. Once you let it get metal on metal, you can run into allot more problems. Most brake pads come with squeelers(if thats the right word) build in the pad to warn you that your brakes are done. As soon as you hear them squeel, have a look to see if there is any meat on the pads. Sometimes a pebble or some grit gets in there and makes some noise, so a quick inspection will tell you if they're worn out or not. And it's totally normal for you're rear brakes to outlast you fronts.
Shaun.

[BMW Rider]

Originally Posted by andsoitgoes

Unfortunately it's down to metal on metal - and has been for a week or so. It's pretty rough - we thought it was a mechanical issue, but nein.

From here on out though I'm going to get the pads and do it regularly, I'm just concerned that we've already gone through one set within 42k - seems a bit off, but it might just be my experience, who knows. Back breaks are at 70% still

I think I'm going to just have Toyota do the works and toss in a clean/reseat of the rear brakes, 305 for everything and then I have the security. I'd be more akin to DIY if my girls weren't involved - but since they are, that is where my concern lies...

Front brakes on most vehicles will wear faster than the rears since the fronts do the majority of the braking. The weight on the front end and the weight transfer under braking are the major reason for that. Your mileage, 42K, is not unusual for brakes to wear out depending on the driving conditions. All city driving in stop and go conditions will use them up quickly. If you truly are at metal-on-metal, expect to replace the rotor(s). That may not be included in the cost they are quoting you. With minimal wear limits on the rotors, it will be quickly ruined when the pads wear to the metal backing.

As for not turning the rotors, that is OK but far from ideal. There is a lot more to it than just the surface finish and trueness. It would be impossible to get a highly accurate measure of the rotors trueness anyway. Even minor variances will reduce the life of the new pads as they must wear in to match the rotor. During that wear in period, braking will be reduced due to incomplete pad to rotor contact, The rotors will also be impregnated with the old lining material. The new pads need to have a clean fresh surface to embed their own material into to create the greatest braking efficiency. A polished rotor may not ever let the pads properly seat reducing braking and creating squealing.

You are wise to consider your families saftey in having the brakes done properly. Brakes are no place to go cheap.

[Murminator]

Originally Posted by fishmaster

Exactly. If the pads are not worn down to metal(making grinding or squeeling noise), they likely dont need turning. If they're smooth, and don't have any obvious grooves in them or are not warped, they're fine. I changed my own brakes in my old bronco many times and didn't often need to machine the rotors. Every brake shop will want to machine or replace your rotors because they want your money. That being said, if you are unsure of what you are looking at, make sure someone who does(ticketyboo perhaps) helps you.
Shaun.

This is what I do also

[DJKoop]

I am a tech at a Toyota Store in Manitoba and there is a difference in quality of brake pads and rotors. If you don't want to machine rotors you can often buy white box after market rotors new for a little more than a machine. Personally I wouldn't cheap out on pads. I don't know what a brake job costs in BC but here a front brake job is like $100 including pads, machining extra. And thats with factory Toyota parts.