Do I really need new brake rotors?
#1
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I got new front pads and rotors on my brakes, probably about 30-40k miles ago. My car now has 85k miles on it.
A few days ago, the brake wear light came on. I took it to the shop and they tell me that I need new front pads and rotors, the total with labor will be $510 ($113 for the front pads, $82 to install, $249 for the front rotors, $48 to install, plus tax).
It seems like I just had this all done. I understand that the pads are worn but is it typical to need new rotors so quickly?? Could I get away with just changing the pads? I wasn't expecting to have to spend so much money.
A few days ago, the brake wear light came on. I took it to the shop and they tell me that I need new front pads and rotors, the total with labor will be $510 ($113 for the front pads, $82 to install, $249 for the front rotors, $48 to install, plus tax).
It seems like I just had this all done. I understand that the pads are worn but is it typical to need new rotors so quickly?? Could I get away with just changing the pads? I wasn't expecting to have to spend so much money.
#2
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on the thickness. Possible that they are worn at that mileage. Just saving on the parts will make it not so bad.<ul><li><a href="http://www.ttstuff.com/performance_brake.php">Get your brake parts here.</a></li></ul>
#4
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The prices do seem expensive, especially the parts cost for the rotors which is twice what it should be. Their labor rate is $80/hour which seems to be typical for around here.
It makes sense that the pads are worn after 40k miles, but worn rotors after only 40k seems a bit unusual even though I do a lot of city driving. I asked them if they could just replace the pads for me and I would get the rotors done later. They gave me a hard time and said that the rotors were worn so that the edge of rotor formed a sharp edge that was cutting into the pads and would quickly ruin any new pads that I put in. I asked them if they could file the edge down or something and they said the rotors were too worn.
I told them to forget about it and I'd bring the car back next week. I'm not going to. I'm going to get a second opinion, and if the rotors do in fact need replacing I'll buy the parts myself (at half the price) and take it to somewhere with a cheaper labor rate. How long is a reasonable labor estimte for front rotors and pads? One hour? Two?
Is it possible I could do this myself, or do you need special tools to change brake pads/rotors. I have the bentley repair manual but it's at home so I haven't looked at it yet.
It makes sense that the pads are worn after 40k miles, but worn rotors after only 40k seems a bit unusual even though I do a lot of city driving. I asked them if they could just replace the pads for me and I would get the rotors done later. They gave me a hard time and said that the rotors were worn so that the edge of rotor formed a sharp edge that was cutting into the pads and would quickly ruin any new pads that I put in. I asked them if they could file the edge down or something and they said the rotors were too worn.
I told them to forget about it and I'd bring the car back next week. I'm not going to. I'm going to get a second opinion, and if the rotors do in fact need replacing I'll buy the parts myself (at half the price) and take it to somewhere with a cheaper labor rate. How long is a reasonable labor estimte for front rotors and pads? One hour? Two?
Is it possible I could do this myself, or do you need special tools to change brake pads/rotors. I have the bentley repair manual but it's at home so I haven't looked at it yet.
#5
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it really depends on your driving.
your rotors may be bad.
did you have them measured?
your rotors may be bad.
did you have them measured?
#7
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It makes sense. I'd like some kind of quantitative answer rather then them telling me "they look too thin" and me saying, "well they look find to me." When I take it somewhere else next week, I'll ask them to be measured.