GomerPyle

Just did the brakes on my 2007. It had new brakes installed when I bought it with 33K miles. It's at 59K now.

The fronts were pretty worn (quite a ridge on both OD and ID sides), but the rears looked like they could have gone another 10K+. Although Midas told me the rear rotors were below allowable thickness, so I decided to order parts for all 4.

Midas quoted just under $1600 for the whole job using some no-name parts. I paid them the $25 inspection fee and ordered Hawk ceramic pads and DBA slotted rotors through them too.

The total for all that was $719.53. I also got new sensors at the stealer. $140 and change. And of course I needed the stupid 12 point triple square tool for the rear, as well as the 5mm triple square for the pusher hole plug. And I didn't have the T50 Torx. About $60 for tools.

Total ~ $920. Savings of near $700 compared to Midas and more if I had asked the dealer to do it. I used to have them do brake jobs before I had kids (and therefore more disposable income), but I'm back to wrenching.

The job wasn't complicated, but it was a royal PITA to get the rear calipers off. There's hardly any room to get a wrench on, and then even less room for leverage. Those things were on damn tight.

Here are some pictures. Yes, I know, I have the wrong rotor on... I had my left and right confused for some reason. I didn't leave it that way.

GomerPyle

More pics.

24wheeler

For the life of me I cannot understand why rotors would be changed at every pad change unless scored due to worn-out pads or warped due to heat causing pulsing during braking.

My car has done 60,000 miles now and will soon be due for the second set of pads. The discs/rotors look hardly worn and will almost certainly last until 120,000 miles in my opinion.

So why change them every pad change? Is it some kind of new fashion? A recreational change? Or, more likely, a money-making scheme for unscrupulous car-repair shops?

slawek s4avantismo

What's the size of the 12 point wrench to remove rear calipers?

GomerPyle

16mm.

slawek s4avantismo

Thank you sir

24wheeler

Just fitted new pads all around on my Q7 at 61,000 miles. It had new front ones at the stealer at around 20,000 miles [I'm sure they were not needed].

Anyhow, the light had come on the dash but when I took the pads off there was probably enough meat left for another 10,000 miles easily and I regret not snipping the sensor wires and twisting them together to extinguish the light.

Decided to fit genuine parts. The pads are Brembo made and quite big.
The rotors/discs have a slight lip, nothing to worry about and will certainly last another 60,000 miles and more.

Time for new tyres again, but that is for another thread.