almost had a heart attack!!!

[kidxrobot]

so i went to midas to get my brakes checked out because ive been hearing some squealing and yesterday a burning smell. their estimate was $569 for 4 new rotors and new pads on the front so i was thinking im sure i could find the parts cheaper online i just dont kno which brand is dependable. any help would be appreciated

[Retrospekt]

Autozone carries moderately priced rotors. They are ValuCraft, but I have used them for years and they are fine. Probably not as long lasting, but cheap. They also carry DuraLast rotors for a little more. If I remember right the ValuCraft cost me 24 dollars a piece and the DuraLast were 35 or so.

As far as pads go, you'll get a lot of different opinions. I just go with DuraLast ceramics. They're cheap and they work fine/last quite a while. 36 dollars at AutoZone for the DuraLast Gold, 50 or so for the DuraLast Gold Ultra's or whatever.

If you're looking for performance, Brembo rotors and Akebono Ceramics are great.

[kidxrobot]

nah jus regular not perfomance im jus a college kid that needs to get around lol

[Retrospekt]

Then Duralast everything would be a decent choice. I just checked the Autozone Website, rotors are 41 a piece and brake pads are 36 for the set. That comes out to just under 120 dollars without tax, and you don't have to pay/wait for shipping.

[kidxrobot]

nice thanx for the help

[touringcamry]

Why do you need 4 rotors but only pads on the front? What kind of car is this going on?

[kidxrobot]

its a 98 camry im jus going by what midas said they told me the rear pads can be reused but the rotors need replacing

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by kidxrobot

its a 98 camry im jus going by what midas said they told me the rear pads can be reused but the rotors need replacing

The only way that would make sense (rear rotors but no pads needed) would be if the rear rotors were warped and they were too thin to turn (cut on a brake lathe). Do you feel any pulsation when you apply the brakes, especially at high speeds?

Also, if this is something you don't feel comfortable doing yourself and since their advice may be questionable, I would get a second opinion from someone you feel you can trust. Ask around for a recommendation of a good independent mechanic from friends and family.

Mike

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by kidxrobot

its a 98 camry im jus going by what midas said they told me the rear pads can be reused but the rotors need replacing

This is a V6 right?

[Kenny_McCormic]

Doing your own brakes is easy, especially disk brakes. A trained monkey could install brakes, a well trained one could do drums.

[TMetalMan]

Originally Posted by touringcamry

This is a V6 right?

Very good point... if this is an I4 it won't have rotors in the rear, and the pads likely wouldn't need changing.

[SexieWASD]

Originally Posted by Kenny_McCormic

Doing your own brakes is easy, especially disk brakes. A trained monkey could install brakes, a well trained one could do drums.

You would think so, but a proper brake job is more than it looks like. I have seen so many people completely forget about cleaning and greasing the slider pins, and under the stainless clips, as well as checking the rubber boots for cracks and sealing the lip on the caliper bracket where they seal with grease. You have to remember to clean the oil and metal dust from the new rotors as well, or you risk warping the new rotors, then you have to go very easy on the new (cheap) rotors until they heat up and cool off a few times and get harder.

It is also wise to check the run out of the new rotors with a micrometer after they are on the hubs. Rust builds up behind the rotor on the hub, add that to the fact that cheap rotors can be off by as much as 0.002" and it becomes a bit of a crapshoot as to whether or not it will have a pulsation. A quick sanding of the correct side of the hub will fix the problem though.

I would also suggest investing in a bottle of CRC disc brake quiet, because those vibration pads don't work very well.

It isn't hard there are just a lot of little things someone new to brakes might not know about.

[liensalebuyer]

ask your friends or neighbors who does mechanic work and who they use. If the place is busy, it's most likely legit. Some of your fellow students might be good wrenches, but I was told, never mess with brakes unless you know what you are doing. No rotor change for me, just pads and I had my work mechanic looking over my shoulder.

[Kitto]

http://www.rockauto.com
mention TN, they have discount for TN
http://www..com
Free shipping over $50, even for brake rotors. Search google for discount code.

[96ToyoCam164K]

Originally Posted by Kenny_McCormic

Doing your own brakes is easy, especially disk brakes. A trained monkey could install brakes, a well trained one could do drums.

what you drive, a bike?

Originally Posted by liensalebuyer

I was told, never mess with brakes unless you know what you are doing.

i was told the same. I came close to changing my front brakes (rotors and pads) but changed my mind and went to my mechanic. And drums are harder, have to get the right brake pressure.

I've heard stories of dealerships not able to get the rear brakes done properly. Mine have been sqealing since I bought the car back in 2007, but apparently all is fine. Methinks resurfacing/new shoes