I took my wife’s car for the first time in a while a few weeks ago.
I took my wife’s car for the first time in a while a few weeks ago. The steering wheel shook a lot as I used the brakes while traveling at a fast speed. I was aware that the rotors needed to be changed. She drives a 2007 Chevy Malibu with more than 113,000 miles on it, which is far more than the amount of time before a brake replacement is advised.
Brake pad and rotor replacement is a quick and simple DIY project. But it took a lot more time this time. I visited the neighborhood parts store and purchased two front rotors and brake pads. I brought them home, parked her car on jack stands, and began removing the previous tires. Because of the worn brake pads, the rotors were severely damaged. However, they hadn’t yet begun emitting that high-pitched metallic screech that occurs when you brake. I made the decision to rotate the tires while the automobile was supported by supports. What’s this? Even worse were the ones at the back. I visit the parts store once more as a result. Advice: Just go ahead and purchase all four rotors, pads, and the required tools if you decide to wait that long to replace your brake pads. You’ll gain time this way.
I removed the back ones when I got home. I wanted to compress the piston on the back calipers, so I grabbed my C-clamp (one with a straight handle) and twisted it on the first as I slowly moved the handle, which caused the piston to slowly revolve and allow me to step in. Not that horrible. When I got to the right rear, even after removing the brake line and draining the fluid from that caliper, my clamp wouldn’t crush the piston.
I returned to the parts store. I also purchased a one-man bleeder kit, a brake fluid container, and a C-clamp with a “T handle. Thinking there wouldn’t be much fluid left once it ran out, I purchased the tiny bottle of fluid. For the third time, I returned home, squeezed the piston with the 9-inch C-Clamp, and put everything back together. It’s time to take a spin. I drove the car to test the brakes, and everything was flawless. The tiny bottle of liquid, though, wasn’t enough. The brake light failed to turn on. Returning to the parts store I spent $250 on materials and labor for the entire repair, which was considerably less than the $750 my mechanic would have charged me.
In This Article...
How much time does changing rotors take?
Consider this: even a skilled automotive technician needs at least an hour to replace the braking rotors and pads on some cars. Brake pad repair could take several hours or longer for a person with little to no skill.
Learning the procedure, assembling the necessary supplies, carefully carrying out each step, and then putting everything back together again might easily take up a half-day of effort that may not be worthwhile in the end.
You might need to start over to fix the issue and correctly install the new brake pads if you complete the procedure only to discover that the brake pedal feels strange or that your brakes have begun to screech or grind. What a pain in the neck!
An easy approach that might ultimately save you time and money is to have a professional do your brake pad repair.
How much does a Toyota Sienna brake job cost?
Depending on the brake pad type chosen and the degree of harm your previous worn-out pads have done to other elements of your car, including the rotors, replacing the brake pads on a Toyota Sienna can cost anywhere between $150 and $300 each axle.
How much should new brake rotors and pads cost?
What should the cost be to replace the brake rotors and pads? The typical cost of changing brake pads and rotors is between $250 and $400 per axle. Your prices may increase significantly if you operate a heavy-duty pickup vehicle and haul or tow a lot of weight.
Should brake fluid be changed when changing rotors?
Recently, I had my oil changed at a fast lube, and the mechanic advised me that I required a brake fluid flush. Never previously have I heard of that. Is that a proper auto repair? Is it necessary for me to replace the brake fluid?
Yes, cleansing or replacing your car’s braking fluid qualifies as preventive maintenance. When we’re replacing brake calipers, brake pads, or brake rotors, we frequently advise a brake fluid flush as well. Particularly on cars with anti-lock brakes (ABS) and traction control, filthy fluid must be drained from the brake lines.
Here are some causes for flushing your brake fluid:
Reason #1: Brake fluid is “hygroscopic, which means it actively attracts moisture from the air.
This is frequently cited as the major justification for replacing your brake fluid. Flushing the brake fluid can stop corrosion and component failure of the many metal components of your braking system.
Reason #2: As brake fluid ages and becomes contaminated with small particles, the boiling point of the fluid goes down.
You might not notice for a long how this affects your braking effectiveness, but every inch matters when it comes to stopping. Extreme situations can result in the brakes completely failing.
Reason #3: As your ABS and traction control systems activate, they generate heat, which further breaks down the fluid.
The heat they produce shortens the lifespan of your brake fluid even though ABS and traction control are crucial safety devices that rely on clean brake fluid.
When Will I Need a Brake Fluid Flush?
There is no hard and fast rule for how often brake fluid needs to be replaced, as there are for many other aspects of car maintenance. Your brake fluid (and brake pads) won’t likely last as long as someone who conducts more highway driving if you frequently stop and go or brake suddenly.
How can I tell if my rotors are damaged?
How to Spot a Bad Rotor (15 Bad Rotor Symptoms)
- the steering wheel vibrates.
- The brake pedal pulses.
- sporadic brake noises
- when applying the brakes, grinding.
- after installing brake pads, screeching.
- Rotors that are not circular.
- scores or deep grooves.
- Rotor cracks.
Can I change the rotors instead of the pads?
When it comes to maintenance, it could seem a little strange that your mechanic advises replacing the brake rotors and pads simultaneously. Is this typical, though? How should your brake rotors and pads be maintained?
Many experts and mechanics advise replacing the brake system’s two components simultaneously, however on occasion, if the rotor isn’t exhibiting as much wear and tear, the owner may be able to replace the brake pads alone.
Along with improving maintenance effectiveness, changing both brake rotors and pads can improve the effectiveness and durability of your car’s braking system. Your brake pads’ performance and wear over time are influenced by your brake rotors. Some car owners who merely changed the brake pads and left the old rotors in place saw uneven wear on their brake pads later, necessitating an early replacement of the pads and rotors. If a mechanic does advise you to keep your current brake rotors, it is advisable to make sure he has examined each brake rotor for evenness to prevent uneven wear.
This does imply that brake rotor replacement will be necessary in the future, most likely prior to brake pad replacement. It might often be more inexpensive and effective to replace all the parts at once to save additional costs and time away from your regular routine because doing so means spending more time in the shop.
The greatest advise is that which you receive from a reputable, seasoned auto mechanic. Your technician will be able to examine your car individually and offer the finest maintenance recommendation with your best interests in mind once you’ve established a rapport with them.
Q. How Much Do Brake Rotors Cost?
A difficult question to answer. Brake rotors exist in a wide variety of forms, dimensions, materials, and compositions as was previously mentioned. and rely heavily on the type of car you drive. A Volvo XC90 may cost $1,000 or more, and a supercar with carbon-ceramic brakes can cost up to $10,000 to replace all four brake rotors on a more modestly priced car.
Q. Do You Need to Replace Brake Rotors Every Time You Replace Your Brake Pads?
A. No, you won’t need to change your brake rotors every time you replace your brake pads because they will deteriorate more quickly than your brake pads do. But you should also change your brake pads when you replace your rotors. Every time you change your brake pads or rotate your tires, check your rotors.
Q. So, Can I Just Replace My Brake Pads, or Do I Have to Replace the Rotors Too?
A. Though it doesn’t happen frequently, you’ll only need to change your brake pads and rotors when they are worn out and warped, respectively. For ordinary steel, rotors are designed to last between 50,000 and 80,000 kilometers. The life of carbon-ceramic discs is increased.