Brake service questions

[mosco]

When I was at the dealer for my 30k service(08 Subaru impreza), my dealer said that my rear breaks and rotors needed to be replaced. The front still have life left.

The dealer wanted 450 which seemed like a lot(Boston area). I plan on calling some private shops around me but I am not even sure what to ask, besides how much it will cost. Should I care about any warranty? Should I care about the brand? Do places normally give you options? Looking at subarupartsonline.com it looks like breaks and rotors are about 140 per tire. I am guessing that I can find a comparable product for less? What brands should I look for? The places seem to all have good yelp reviews, so I am trying to figure out what matters besides price.

Sorry if this post is messy, I am on my phone.

 

[Raizinman]

Many shops, even muffler shops such as Midas, CarX and others can do brakes much cheaper than the dealer while giving a comparable warranty. Just call around and tell them what you told us. That you had the car at the dealer and you are looking for a cheaper place for rear brakes. They understand and know that they are cheaper. Get at least 3 bids.

 

[T2urtle]

Many shops, even muffler shops such as Midas, CarX and others can do brakes much cheaper than the dealer while giving a comparable warranty. Just call around and tell them what you told us. That you had the car at the dealer and you are looking for a cheaper place for rear brakes. They understand and know that they are cheaper. Get at least 3 bids.

While it might be cheaper. Parts might not be on the same level.

Another option is to buy Subaru parts online and bring it to a mechanic/shop to install. Labor wise I think $50-125 is fair, tell them u will provide the Subaru pads and two rear rotors.

 

[brainhulk]

is it normal for the rears to go out faster than the fronts? I thought it was supposed to be the other way around

 

[T2urtle]

is it normal for the rears to go out faster than the fronts? I thought it was supposed to be the other way around

Back in the day it was fronts wearing first.

Today with the traction control system, the rears will wear faster. Most traction controls applies the rear brakes to balance out the car. This is why we will replace the rears more so then the fronts now.

 

[brainhulk]

Back in the day it was fronts wearing first.

Today with the traction control system, the rears will wear faster. Most traction controls applies the rear brakes to balance out the car. This is why we will replace the rears more so then the fronts now.

ahhh, makes sense

 

[NutBucket]

Still doesn't sound right though. I would find someone else to check the condition of the pads.

 

[nerp]

30k and new rotors? Do you drive the car hard?

 

[Pacfanweb]

is it normal for the rears to go out faster than the fronts? I thought it was supposed to be the other way around

Depends on the car. Some cars IMO have rears that aren't big enough and they wear quicker. I remember when the Ford Tempo was being built, they'd wear out 2 sets of rear shoes before the first set of front pads wore out.

The Focus was the same way. Wore out rears fast. And they wore the front rotors out with the pads....you had to replace pads and rotors, because when the pads were gone the rotors would be at or below minimum thickness.

 

[mosco]

30k and new rotors? Do you drive the car hard?

The first ~15 thousand miles were mostly highway, and the last 15 have been mostly city driving. My fiance also drives my car a lot to work, which is rush hour city driving so I am sure that doesn't help.

Still doesn't sound right though. I would find someone else to check the condition of the pads.

I was thinking of bringing them to mineke to get the free inspection just to make sure. Although I did check some subaru forums, and did find some similar reports of the rears going first.

While it might be cheaper. Parts might not be on the same level.

Another option is to buy Subaru parts online and bring it to a mechanic/shop to install. Labor wise I think $50-125 is fair, tell them u will provide the Subaru pads and two rear rotors.

I hadn't really thought of this, but this seems like it might be worth it. I have no problem not using subaru parts, I just don't know enough about brakes to know if something is comparable, which is why I was hoping that people could provide some brands that would be about ~150 in parts per tires.

 

[NutBucket]

City driving doesn't automatically mean "hard" unless you're hard on the brakes such as braking hard rather than coasting, etc.

I still don't buy them being worn though. In my 12 years of driving I've yet to wear out a set of brakes. Its all about style/technique.

 

[BUTCH1]

Back in the day it was fronts wearing first.

Today with the traction control system, the rears will wear faster. Most traction controls applies the rear brakes to balance out the car. This is why we will replace the rears more so then the fronts now.

Wait a sec, I thought traction control only applies to power to the wheels and preventing wheel-spin, IIRC it has zero to do with the brakes at all.

 

[Ferzerp]

Wait a sec, I thought traction control only applies to power to the wheels and preventing wheel-spin, IIRC it has zero to do with the brakes at all.

It typically does it via the brakes. However, unless you're driving like a hooligan or in ice, your TC never kicks in, so......

 

[BUTCH1]

It typically does it via the brakes. However, unless you're driving like a hooligan or in ice, your TC never kicks in, so......

Hmm, I have to check into it, on my car (05 Chevy) it only stops wheel spin but there may be different designs around that do involve brake application.

 

[T2urtle]

Wait a sec, I thought traction control only applies to power to the wheels and preventing wheel-spin, IIRC it has zero to do with the brakes at all.

I think I used the wrong term. Its a form of traction control but more like stability control. On my infiniti its known as slip control or VDC.

 

[BUTCH1]

I think I used the wrong term. Its a form of traction control but more like stability control. On my infiniti its known as slip control or VDC.

I still don't think that system is responsible for the unusual pad wear but maybe go to an auto forum for your car and see if others have had the same issue...

 

[T2urtle]

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f68/premature-back-brake-pad-wear-116027/

Each car has their own systems. There are a WHOLE lot of people with subaru's as i just googled with the problem. Lot of people believe its a caliper failures but no proof.

OP, if you dont have a problem going non OEM parts. I would say you have 2 options, #1 would be to have the shop cut your rotors ($20-50 labor) and you buy some pads ($25-75). Or option #2, buy two new rotors and pads and have them install it. Price should be roughly the same. Some shops will not put parts you bring in.

rockauto.com has a lot of fair prices and options. Use that site to get a better idea of how much parts should cost.

 

[mosco]

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f68/premature-back-brake-pad-wear-116027/

Each car has their own systems. There are a WHOLE lot of people with subaru's as i just googled with the problem. Lot of people believe its a caliper failures but no proof.

OP, if you dont have a problem going non OEM parts. I would say you have 2 options, #1 would be to have the shop cut your rotors ($20-50 labor) and you buy some pads ($25-75). Or option #2, buy two new rotors and pads and have them install it. Price should be roughly the same. Some shops will not put parts you bring in.

rockauto.com has a lot of fair prices and options. Use that site to get a better idea of how much parts should cost.

Thanks, any brand recommendations?

 

[Costas Athan]

Back in the day it was fronts wearing first.

Today with the traction control system, the rears will wear faster. Most traction controls applies the rear brakes to balance out the car. This is why we will replace the rears more so then the fronts now.

You probably mean the ESC system, but I doubt that there are many drivers who activate it so often to cause the rear rotors to wear out first. I highly doubt this is the problem. Actually, I have never heard from someone or read that the ESC is a cause of rear rotors wear...

Thanks, any brand recommendations?

Brembo is a well known brand for quality rotors. Are you going to replace only the rear ones?