98 Camry V6, Rotor & Drum question & gripe with Pepboys

[neomentat]

Hi everyone, i'm a new member here and tried to search my question but didn't come up with anything.

I just had my engine oil changed and a transmission oil flush yesterday and the garage informed me I need my front brake pads and rotors changed, they stated front brakes @ 10% and rear breaks @ 60%.

I took it to a Pepboys today for their $10 brake inspection for a second opinion, they told me all 4 of my brakes are worn out and barely have 5% left on them and my 2 front rotors as well as my back 2 drums are underspec and all needs to be changed. Also they recommended an oil change, a transmission oil change and air filter change (all of which I just changed yesterday).

Naturally I thought to myself Pepboys is trying to rip me off and confronted them about my rear brake pads having 60% left, then they changed the story on me and said they're fine and are only recomending them to be changed when just a minute ago they said they're all worn out.

Here's my front Rotor and rear Drum spec on my 98 V6 Camry, are they out of spec?

FR rotor: 1.041
FL rotor: 1.018

RR drum: .366
RL drum: .366

[Kevs Toy]

Um first off, I dont know of any v6 gen 4s with rear drums.

[Turboman412]

how about you ask them what the pads measure out to... and if you need new pads and since its a 98 and probly has over 100k on the clock you might as well replace the rotors. the minimum your pads are able to get to is 2/32s

good luck hope i helped

[hooRAH]

Inspecting brake pads is a funny science. I've pulled pads off and said "Oh, these have plenty left on them!".....until I put them next to the new pads and say "Uh, nevermind, these are toast". My point is, how worn they are can be subjective, especially with a cursory glance at them.

Now, the real way to do it is to measure the pad thickness and see if its in spec, but by the time you've done that, you might as well have put new pads in already!

[blkcamry94]

pep boys out my way tried scamming people for rotors and drums when they went into for inspection.....needless to say they lost their inspection license for 3 mos.

[neomentat]

Originally Posted by blkcamry94

pep boys out my way tried scamming people for rotors and drums when they went into for inspection.....needless to say they lost their inspection license for 3 mos.

who do i report this kind of illegal activity to? Pepboys really pissed me off, not only did they try to scam me but when i confronted them about it the service manager started making personal attacks at me and used foul language.

[davemac2]

Well you could always report them to the BBB and AAA. As well, I'm sure the local TV station would be interested in it for a story sooner or later. And of course, it's always nice to send a letter to pep boys corporate.

This happens all the time with the aggressive upsell on service. Sears is the same trying to sell you new tires. The bells should go off when they find lots of things to fix. Nothing illegal about that. It's called aggressive selling. Flat out lying though is another thing, but I bet it happens all the time depending upon how naive the customers appears. I always have them show me the problems on the car first before authorizing the work.

dave mc

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by Kevs Toy

Um first off, I dont know of any v6 gen 4s with rear drums.

I second this. You SURE you have drums on a V6?

[blkcamry94]

i agree with dave even try the local paper....or talk to someone who's familiar with those laws. that can't be legal i'm in sales upselling is one thing flat out lying is another. at least you were smart enough to catch on

[Hobo]

Have you called Manny, Moe or Jack?

Just kiddig, Pep Boys aren't know for being real reputable.