1998 Toyota camry Break question

[kevin347]

I went for a oil change at NTB and you know how they give you a big list of ticket items..Out of those, i think this might be a genuine issue but I am looking for suggestions on how to fix it..

There is a sweaking noise from the rear tires when I brake. NTB guy suggested that the brake pads have life left but I need to resurface the drums/brake rotors.

I searched around little bit and people are suggesting that one should replace the Rotor instead of resurfacing them. Some of my friend use a honda certified mechanic who I called and he can work on camry too, he's telling me that it's better to resurface the rotors since they could be original ones which came with the car and better to keep those since they are high quality than the aftermarket cheap new ones you can buy. He's telling me that I should replace the Brake pads too and then either have the rotor resurface or replaces depending on how much life is left in the rotor.

Do you really need to replace the pads even if there is life left? or is he just trying to make more money out of it? He told me that I just have to bring the parts, he just charges me for labor (about 80$) for replace/resurface rotors.

Can someone advise me what I should do?

Thanks

[JohnGD]

+1 what your Honda friend said. Buy new Akebono ProAct ceramics (check prices on Amazon and rockauto). Then let him resurface the existing rotors (otherwise buy Brembos or Centric C-tek).

Unless you are changing out the old pads with the same brand/type of new pads, in which case no machining unless there are problems (excessive scoring and runout etc). Otherwise just resurface the rotors before changing brands/types of pads. (I would NOT use a different pad on a rotor already bedded in with another).

Again, I'd use only Akebono ProAct ceramics. Like your friend say, I'd just ditch those cheap pads on there now. Akebonoes are quiet, light dusting and long lasting pads. Great value for the money. But I don't think their Street Performance is worth the extra however.

New Toyota rotors are nothing to rave about. Just read about the warping problems with Gen5+. But if your factory rotors are below minimum thickness then I'd go with Brembos from Amazon. Otherwise the lower cost Centric C-Tek is fine too.

Originally Posted by kevin347

I searched around little bit and people are suggesting that one should replace the Rotor instead of resurfacing them. Some of my friend use a honda certified mechanic who I called and he can work on camry too, he's telling me that it's better to resurface the rotors since they could be original ones which came with the car and better to keep those since they are high quality than the aftermarket cheap new ones you can buy. He's telling me that I should replace the Brake pads too and then either have the rotor resurface or replaces depending on how much life is left in the rotor.

Do you really need to replace the pads even if there is life left? or is he just trying to make more money out of it? He told me that I just have to bring the parts, he just charges me for labor (about 80$) for replace/resurface rotors.

Can someone advise me what I should do?

Thanks