Whats involved in replacing brake pads on 2006 Avalon?

[Master Yoder]

I have a 2006 Avalon that needs new front and back pads. The dealer said there is 2mm of pad left when we took it in for a oil change. They wanted over $500 to replace them, LOL.

I found a reputable place that can do it for about $220 + tax with good pads or I can do it myself for about $90 plus turning the rotors if needed so that could add to the DIY cost but the brakes have not make any weird noise and no grinding. The dealer said they may beed to be turned but I don't see why.

My problem is time, so i am trying to determine if it's worth it to pay an extra $140 - $160 to have someone else do it and not have to worry about it.

About how long should it take to do the whole job front and back? Are there any goofy things to worry about with this model that could be a headache?

[grandpapa]

Changing Brake Pads ( 1 2 3)

[Mike Murrell]

If time is an issue and turning all 4 rotors is required - you might want to let a shop do the work. I only turn rotors if I'm experiencing shimmy applying brakes - an indication they're out of round.

When you pull rotors - you must also clean/repack wheel bearings(at least I would) and then you are going to have to set the preload on the wheel bearings. Get that wrong and one of 2 things happens:

- wheel comes off or wobbles badly - preload set too loose
- you burn up the wheel bearings - preload set too tight

Pad replacement is pretty much like most other Asian cars.

The URL below gives good insight into what's involved repacking wheel bearings and setting preload. Not for an Avalon - but principles apply.



http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles...Bearing_Repack

[Master Yoder]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

If time is an issue and turning all 4 rotors is required - you might want to let a shop do the work. I only turn rotors if I'm experiencing shimmy applying brakes - an indication they're out of round.

When you pull rotors - you must also clean/repack wheel bearings(at least I would) and then you are going to have to set the preload on the wheel bearings. Get that wrong and one of 2 things happens:

- wheel comes off or wobbles badly - preload set too loose
- you burn up the wheel bearings - preload set too tight

Pad replacement is pretty much like most other Asian cars.

The URL below gives good insight into what's involved repacking wheel bearings and setting preload. Not for an Avalon - but principles apply.



http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles...Bearing_Repack

Thanks for the info. If I were to turn the wheel and try to rub my finger across the rotor is it pretty easy to tell if it is gouged or are the grooves smaller than you can detect with a finger? I haven't had any weird noise or shaking so far. About 75k miles and I think they are original pads.

[rmike1991]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

When you pull rotors - you must also clean/repack wheel bearings

Mike, I would disagree with this statement. It only needs to be done if the rotor and the hub is one piece. For example:



On Avalon you don't have to remove the hub, just the rotor and it looks like this:



Here is a diagram. You only have to remove #7(incl.#8) - caliper with mount and #5 - rotor.
#1

[boosted-fc3s]

If your rotors are warped replace them. If warped rotors are turned, they WILL warp again, and much faster. Rotors are so cheap now it makes very little sense to turn them. I have 95k on my avalon and I still have stock rotors. They are well within spec yet.

[Master Yoder]

I looked at the rotors with the tires on and felt them and they look and feel very smooth so I don't think there will be a need to turn/replace them.

[Mike Murrell]

Mike1991 - thanks for the construction update on the Avalon - not one-piece.

The comment about rotors being so cheap these days is non-sense in my opinion.

I can have rotors turned for $10 each.

3rd part junk rotors are $40-$60 each - new OEM-from-A-Dealer rotors ordered online show up at $100 each! - That ain't cheap.

[boosted-fc3s]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

Mike1991 - thanks for the construction update on the Avalon - not one-piece.

The comment about rotors being so cheap these days is non-sense in my opinion.

I can have rotors turned for $10 each.

3rd part junk rotors are $40-$60 each - new OEM-from-A-Dealer rotors ordered online show up at $100 each! - That ain't cheap.

Dunno where you shop, but rear rotors can be had for $20 a pop and fronts for $30 from rockauto.com.

[Mike Murrell]

I wouldn't entrust my life to a $20 rotor.

Rockauto's overall rating out of nearly 2700 reviews is 5.18 out of 10.

Not a company I'd want to do business with.

[boosted-fc3s]

Eh, its all made in China anyways. All the local auto parts stores are all chinese crap too. Its more a matter of down time for me, I drive 25k miles a year, I cant afford to have my car out of service to keep getting warped rotors turned. I just prefer to buy new rotors if they are warped.