Changing Brake Pads

[mnguyen110]

At what interval do you need to change the front brake pads? I remember changing mine at 20,000+ and now at 38k the brakes are making the noise when slightly pressed.

[osidepunker]

Just change them out. I had to change mine at 20k+miles also. It depends on how you use your brakes. Ever since I changed them, I have been very gentle on them. I'm at 44k miles now and they're still good.

[mnguyen110]

do you have the oem (dealership) pads or aftermarket band?
Thanks

[Mike Murrell]

I suppose you could change brake pads on an interval basis, but it all depends on driving habits.

Lead-footed drivers who do primarily stop-n-go driving are going to wear out pads faster than someone who does primarily highway driving.

Inspecting the pads should be part of ones periodic maint. For me, that's more easily done with the wheels off the car. Some go so far as to pull and meausre the pads.

[osidepunker]

Originally Posted by mnguyen110

do you have the oem (dealership) pads or aftermarket band?
Thanks

I have whatever the Toyota dealership put on, probably OEM.

[Jim08]

38,000 miles and still original, not even close to needing to replace

[coontai]

My dad has 55k on originals. i've gotta change those before we have some rotor damage...

[Tom in Tacoma]

I'm at 54k miles on the original pads with plenty of pad left. At this rate they'll last until 70k miles.

[coontai]

I thought about inspecting them, but at $90 an axle the stealership prices aren't bad... (I hope the rotors check out other wise that could be another $400!)

[JohnGD]

Unless you do a lot of heavy braking 20K miles is too little. In normal driving you should be able to get 50-60K miles easily, and some even 90K miles.

Toyota uses Akebono pads now (they may have completely dumped NBK). However, their Akebono pads are cheaper EE ratings. You can get higher friction FF rated Akebono ProAct pads online for about $50 an axle. Or GG rated Akebono Street Performance for about $80 an axle.

www.akebonobrakes.com

Wait, did your parts store or dealer give you organic pads instead of ceramic??

Originally Posted by mnguyen110

At what interval do you need to change the front brake pads? I remember changing mine at 20,000+ and now at 38k the brakes are making the noise when slightly pressed.

[JohnGD]

Yeah, this kind of mileage out of (Akebono) ceramic is more like it.
(AK xx-xxx FF edge markings)

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

I'm at 54k miles on the original pads with plenty of pad left. At this rate they'll last until 70k miles.

[avy327]

so i guess i drive too hard only 43k changed the front brakes 4 times already and rear brakes twice

[coontai]

nah i'd blame it on brooklyn


Oh and the dealer changed out my front for only $80 (with coupon) and they said the back was only 50%. Impressive...

[sunny_8]

so the 06 Avalon's have Ceramic pads already installed from the factory right ?

I have 40K on the car, and was going to switch the fronts out....with the autozone ceramics....anyone used these pads ?

[tonystewart]

I replaced the brakes on the 06 Avalon Limited with all the premium products Napa offered at 60k. The fronts started making a grinding noise. The pads had 1/8" pad left on front and 1/16" pad left on rears. New brakes work well and stop quietly with a full pedal. I am extremely qualified to do the work myself and use all my years of experience to make it safe.

My two cents....

These are the part numbers
Napa Front Pads AD-7896
Napa Front Rotors 880077
Napa Rear Pads AD-7701
Napa Rear Rotors 880076
Napa Dot 4 Brake Fluid 40-032
Don't forget the brake grease on all sliding parts.