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Car brake pads?

Kristi2k

Kristi2k

Golden Member
I have an '02 Malibu and I've noticed when driving I hear a metal on metal noise but don't hear it when I use my brakes. Would this be the brake pads?
 
I'd say so.. Same thing on my car, I'd guess they have about 1000 miles or so left...

This isnt a grinding sound btw? Just like someones rubbing foil on your discs.. Its just a wear marker at this point. If its not too loud 😉
 
Sometimes it's loud, sometimes it's not. I'll have to call Midas, they have a sale right now on brake pads.
 
Its probably the wear indicators, dont wait too long or the pads will run out and put groves in the rotors.
 
It's more of a grind, sometimes it's a squeel. It sounds like I should take it in then. I have the tools, but I don't feel comfortable taking the wheel off my car.
 
Originally posted by: Kristi2k
It's more of a grind, sometimes it's a squeel. It sounds like I should take it in then. I have the tools, but I don't feel comfortable taking the wheel off my car.
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I cannot believe a male said that. Turn in your boy card (seems you haven't gotten your man card yet).

Dude, it's gonna suck when you get a flat tire and a girl has to change your tire for you.
 
Ok, if I take the wheel off, what am I looking for? how can I actually tell of the insides of the brakes are worn down?
 
It's definitely the brakes, I wouldn't waste my time checking them. Just take them somewhere and get them replaced. Take them to a reputable mechanic (NOT Midas or anywhere like that) and ask them to check the rotors, too.
 
The GM dealer in the city I now live in are crooks basically, they try to nickel and dime me for things I know are not wrong. What's wrong with Midas?
 
Originally posted by: Kristi2k
The GM dealer in the city I now live in are crooks basically, they try to nickel and dime me for things I know are not wrong. What's wrong with Midas?
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How would you know if the things they say are wrong or not if you can't even tell if you need new brakes or not?

 
Midas is the Jiffy Lube of the brake/exhaust world. They will lure you in with cheap pads and upsell you into insolvency. Many of these places will also cut so much off your rotors they will have to be replaced far sooner than normal (that is, if they haven't convinced you that they are too thin and need replacing with aftermarket crap quality parts at three or four times the cost of OEM.) If you have the time and can follow basic directions, try doing it yourself.

Personally, after being quoted $800 for new pads and rotors on my 325iC I just did it myself. It took me an hour browsing the Internet to find out how to replace the pads and rotor, an hour or so to find and order the parts and tools, an hour the first wheel to go slow and figure it out, and less for each wheel from there. Total time, about 4 hours including research. Total cost, $60 for two sets of decent aftermarket pads, $110 for two pairs of OEM rotors, $12 for the wear sensors, $2 for new rotor set screws, $5 for a cheap C-Clamp (to compress the piston), and $9 for a Craftsman 7mm allen socket.

Oh, and I spent the $600 saved on a new GPS.

If you want someone else to do the work, do yourself a favor and get estimates for brake work from several places.
 
Because I went to the dealer an hour away and they said the part that the local dealer said I needed was fine. I suppose I'll have to take the day off tomorrow and head up there.
 
Originally posted by: Kristi2k
Because I went to the dealer an hour away and they said the part that the local dealer said I needed was fine. I suppose I'll have to take the day off tomorrow and head up there.
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It's a bad idea to go to the dealership too. They are usually pretty honest but they charge ALOT.

Surely you have LOCAL car repair shops that you could take your vehicle too. Go to a shop that has ASE certified technicians.

As teddyv said, Midas is a total rip off. They try to upsell everything because they have to meet sales goals. They don't worry about screwing the customer because they don't need to, they advertise so heavily that it doesn't matter if customers have bad experiences there. Local auto shops don't have that luxury, so for the most part, they are very honest.
 
Also, brakes are pretty easy to replace - at least the front ones are. The rear ones can be a PITA because sometimes they have a special nut (ring nut? worm nut? I forget.) that is tough to get off. But I assume the 02 Malibu is a front wheel drive car, and you only need the front brakes replaced at this time. I doubt the rotors are bad since all you are hearing is the squealing sound.

The best alternative would be have a friend that is handy with cars do it for you.
 
Dealer says $180 for brakes plus smoothing of the rotor

Meinike squotws $89 for the pads and $60 for a new rotor if needed.... suggestions?
 
I doubt you need a new rotor unless you are hearing a grinding noise. If you are hearing squealing noise, it's probably just the pads.

I'd get the dealer quote for BRAKES ONLY. You can check your rotor fairly easily. If it has grooves in it, it needs replaced. It should be fairly smooth.
 
I have heard the grinding and the squeel off and on for the past week or so. I think the $180 is for front and back and I only need front, so ill try toget an updated quote. Thanks for the advice.
 
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