So dealer tells me I have to replace my rear brake pads and they can resurface the rear rotors, but the front is fine. Wouldn't the FRONT need to be replaced before the rear?? Also does $80 for parts and $180 for labor sound high. Granted... it is the dealer. Anyone know a good place where I can get pads? Thinking of hitting up Napa Auto Parts.


TIA

 

You can DIY for about $80, including new rotors. Make sure you borrow the rear brake tool when you hit NAPA.

 

I presume the dealer uses motorcraft pads. Anyone know if they are organic or ceramic? So rotors and pads are $80 you're saying. Is that for rear only or all 4?

 

Definitely do it yourself. It's not a hard job to accomplish.

I would recommend doing all four corners at the same time. If the rears are already in need of replacements, the fronts won't be too far behind. Even if right now they are "ok."

Hit NAPA and pick up a set of aftermarket OEM style replacement rotors. They shouldn't be more than about $25.00 a piece. Then get yourself a good performance pad to go with it. Whatever they have on hand. Make sure to get new brake fluid and lush that at the same time.

 

Is it normal to have them go at 32K miles? Any recommendations on rotors/pads? Just trying to budget what I'll be spending.. Thanks.

 

I'm planning on picking up a set of EBC reds to replace my rear stock pads.

JedCranium has them and is happy with their performance, plus they look cool.


http://www.autoanything.com/brakes/6...0A2600503.aspx


If I still had stock brakes up front, I'd get the whole set.

 

That's completely dependent on the type of driving you are doing, as well as the overall health of the breaking system. 32,000 is right around average for a pad change though. Remember, that pads are an item designed to wear.

Honestly, unless you're planning track outings where having something like a cryo treated rotor might be helpful, go without whatever NAPA/AutoZone/Checker etc has on the shelf. It'll be pretty much the same quality as the OEM pieces. Again for pads, go with one of their performance oriented pads they have on hand.

If you're looking for a pad with a bit more heat resistance, low dust, and better initial bite I'd recommend the Carbotech Bobcat compound. It's a great all around pad, and the one I prefer for spirited street and auto-x use. However, these pads are significantly more expensive than the pads you'll find at your local auto store.

However there's nothing inherently wrong with the items you'll get at your local store. A pad/rotor/fluid change with off the shelf items will bring your cars stopping ability back to new OEM spec.

 

Appreciate the info

 

My rear pads were replaced at like 40K miles, I now have 65K milkes and the fronts are still good to go.

 

I'm guessing you replaced rear rotors too? Also just got pads and rotors for front and back, $263. At Napa..

 

You guys think this is any good?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Musta...item335aa7ae2d


Figured if I paid $263 at napa for the cheapest pads and rotors, this might be better off?

 

If you're not Autox'n or doing any crazy driving that would produce more than typical wear n' tear, do like I did and grab a set of F&R stock rotors off of newtakeoff.com. I mean for $80 for the set you can't go wrong. I paired 'em with a set of HawkHPS pads and they're going on at the end of the month.

 

Sweet site for OEM rotors, thanks!

 

Yeah, the stock rotors from newtakeoff have gotta be the best deal around.

Whether the fronts go before the rear depends on a lot of things. The right rear can go before anything else if your e-brake locks up on you. But if you drive hard, all the time, your fronts will go just after 30k. I'm speaking from experience here.

 

in all the cars I've ever had the fronts get replaced twice as often as the rear brakes. The fronts do most of the work. I think its a bit odd that your rear brakes went before the fronts. The ebrake freezing problem was a 05 and 06 problem.

 

I have to agree here, my understanding is that general rule of thumb is 60/40 wear front to rear. If the rear is wearing faster then fronts I would think that there is something wrong. I'm getting close to changing my brakes, I have a lot more pad on my rears than the fronts. I'm at 40k.

 

There is one glaring item being overlooked here. Traction control. It applies the rear brakes to slow the wheel down. With that active, it makes sense that your rear pads wore faster than the fronts. The OEM pad compound is also not the greatest. It was selected mostly because of its cold performance and quiet operation. If you drive any bit "aggressive" those pads will wear fast. Hawk HPS is a decent replacement street pad that can handle a little more heat and will not wear as fast.

 

Make sense,

Thanks

 

True, or the dealer can just be screwing me over.. nahhhh

 

Err, any reason you couldn't just get the rear up on jackstands and check the rotors and pads for yourself?