Getting Brakes Done

[FrankXT86]

Well...My brake light is stuck on in my car so I need to get my brakes looked at. Now I'm not into getting the best of the best brakes like Brembos and HKS pads and I need to get them done by someone. That would be great to get that combo but buddy 1999 I4 Camry w/ 130K miles isn't gonna be doing any auto-x. Now I'm at college at there is no place/time for me to do my brakes so I was wondering what would be the best place to get them done at?

We have a midas and a toyota dealer to get them done here in town.

And what would be a reasonable price to get my brakes done including rotors?
Midas has a lifetime warantee on brake pads and shoes which is cool.
I could get either semi-metallic pads or organic pads? Which would be better and I can also pay more for ceramic pads?

I am just wondering what would be the best place to get them done and what would be ther best pads?

TIA!

[TriumphGT6]

As far as paying for getting your brakes done, call local shops. Many have good warranties on their work. The lifetime pads or shoes are the cheapest pads that the brake shop can buy at Napa or Autozone. I see them come in to Autozone all the time buying Valucraft pads at $7 - $15 an axle.

I would buy the Ceramic Pads at Autozone (around $40 an axle) and have the local shop put them on. They are usually happy that you have the pads (they don't have to go get them) and won't charge extra to put them on (some charge less).

Don't go to Midas, they use very cheap parts. If you can afford it, go to the dealer. They use quality OEM parts and most do go good work (Except KOOL Chevrolet). Otherwise, go to a mom 'n' pop kind of shop. Most do good work at a great price.

Good Luck,
GT6

PS. Try it yourself, its not hard if its just pads. Takes me about an hour to fronts and backs on my Lincoln (F&R Disc).

[007Paul]

I agree with what Triumph said. Get the low-dust pads.

As for tools, it's easy to do - all you need is a jack, socket wrench set, and a C-clamp.

[foompla]

Originally Posted by TriumphGT6

Don't go to Midas, they use very cheap parts.
Good Luck,
GT6

PS. Try it yourself, its not hard if its just pads. Takes me about an hour to fronts and backs on my Lincoln (F&R Disc).

what are you kidding me? your telling the guy to go to autozone (BLEH!) and buy 15 dollar brake pads, and then your telling him not to go somewhere because they use cheap parts? I dotn nkow ANYWHERE that has worse quality/cheaper parts than autozone.

if you go to the dealer, the pads will be whisper quiet and last a decent amount of time, but brake fade will be horrenous and youll hve a very mushy pedal. aftermarket/metallic pads will be very noisy! however, you will notice a difference in pedal feel and stopping distance. THEY WILL EAT UP YOUR ROTORS!

toyota pads are like 60 bucks from the dealer... about 2 hours labor aroudn 90 bucks an hour.... the choice is yours. in case you were wondering, the bolts for the calipers are 14mm and the bracket is 17mm in case you want to tackle it yourself.

[TriumphGT6]

I didn't say to buy the $15 Autozone pads. I did miss-say to buy Ceramics there, I bought EBC's for the Lincoln (Not at Autozone, Lincoln lets me order through them at a discount).

I would recommend that you just buy the dealer pads. No one knows the car better than the manufacturer (unless its a Korean POS)!

GT6