Time for new brakes ?

So had recent service done at dealership . Was advised that the front brakes need to be replaced at 44k miles . Was told they are between 4-6 mm . Are they pulling my chain or should I replace them . Also is 349. 95 a good price for them to replace or should I use brake masters or something like that . I know a lot of you guys are like do it yourself but I’m not very confident in brake jobs . Thanks guys .

 

Their trying to take your money. You got about 50% life left in those pads.

You dont dump a half drank beer to get a new one, why would you throw out half worn brakes.

 

K cool ty was wondering if they are taking me for a ride .

 

4mm left is actually kind of low. Closer to about 20%ish pad life left meaning OP should think about doing them sooner than later.

 

new is around 11mm, so 4mm being around 35% 6mm being around 55%.

If we take the low side at 4mm, then they are getting about 6200 miles per mm of brake pad. So at 4mm they can still go 25k miles till the pads are gone. If we leave 2mm left, then they still have 12k miles left on those pads.

High side of 6mm means they are using 1mm per 8800 miles, so they have roughly 52k miles until the pads are done, 2mm remaining we have 35k miles remaining.

As a second point, the dealer saying "4-6mm" is pretty shitty practice. They can measure them without removing anything (they have brake pad thickness gauges that you just put next to the pad), but they are choosing a vague number range to give the illusion you need to replace them soon.

Most brake measurement devices list 4-6mm as "moderate" wear, as in right in the middle of new and needing to be replaced.

 

If you watch a YouTube on how to do the front brakes, you may see that it actually is very simple and something you can do yourself.

 

So I looked at my paperwork again shows
6mm in the front and 4 mm in the rear . But they said the front needed replaced . Something is not right …if the rear is less than the front wouldn’t the rear need replaced . The rear shouldn’t wear faster than the front . I think I need to get another opinion on the brakes .

 

You have rear drums and shoes. The brake material is a lot less thick.

 

Rear are drums, they start out at 5mm, so you have used 1mm.
Either way they are just trying to get your money on the front brakes. They are fine for along time.

 

Good info here, as I'm at around 42k and wondering how long these pads last. I have a healthy 5-6mm left, as well.
I don't get excited unless I hear metal on metal scraping. lol

 

Is the $349.95 price for pads and rotors?

I changed my pads and rotors at 40K miles because I had a vibration. Still a good amount of pads left, so I would recommend doing both pads and rotors when you feel it is time.

 

This is a interesting question, as the parts from toyota should come in right around $300 (from a quick online search). Might be a pad slap, or it might be a "sale" item that they then upsell you on brake flush, caliper replacements, wheel bearings or any number of thing that they "found" while in there.

 

I have not had anyone, including myself, look at or measure my rotors or pads yet. I have 94K miles on the truck, still on the original pads and rotors. No known issues with the brakes, though they do seem to be getting a little bit soft lately. I plan to take the truck in at ~100K miles for some key service (brake check, fan belt replacement, spark plug replacement, coolant replacement...)

 

I have never measured my pads or rotors. Just eyeball the pads when I rotate tires. I try to do my brakes sooner than later. If I were to wait too long I am changing rotors with the pads anyway.

Don't be afraid of doing your brakes. Watch a good YouTube video and work slow. I went with PowerStop because my OEM brakes developed a vibration at 40K miles.

$192 Power Stop Brake Kit For 2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2005-2022 Toyota Tacoma 6 Lug, 2003-2009 4Runner 12.56" Rotors - Front Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads & Drilled Slotted Rotors Replacement, K137

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FKS28C?ie=UTF8

 

Usually the OEM rotors will have minimal wear if there's still pad material left and the pads wore evenly. $350 would be for pads.

 

I'm at 80k on my original pads. I have never had pads last this long. Obviously pad life is dependent on driving type, but I drive the same as I did on other vehicles that I was getting 40k if I was lucky.

 

I guess it depends on your driving habits. Get a second opinion from a reputable shop.

 

Majority of actual braking force is done by the front brakes. Rear drum brakes wear really slowly by comparison. My ex had a Saturn SL2 that didn't need rear brakes until almost 200k miles.