Changing Front Brake Pads

Went in for a regular service today and I got told by the adviser that I should change my front pads “As Soon As possible” as I guess my pads are at about 2mm or less according to him and the receipt they give you. I have a 2016 double cab with 38,000 miles. I mainly do City driving and occasional highway driving. I even have the 4 cylinder so I would assume my front end doesn’t weigh as much as some of the dudes on here who get like 70,000 miles on their V6’s. I wouldn’t even have thought my pads are due soon, but those dudes put worry in your head as they show how your pads are in the Red Tier on their chart. What’s your guys opinion?

 

2nd opinion

 

Examine them yourself.

Anything we say is just guesswork.

 

There are people on TW who have gotten 75k out of their brakes. Get a second opinion

 

Easy check. It should look something like this. Pull the wheel and have a look.

These pads were new in the pic.

 

^^ see the groove in the center of the pad? Just measure how big it is.

 

Get an inspection mirror and look at them. No need to pull the wheel off. You will use it for countless other things.

What did the dealer measure the shoes at? If the pads are gone the shoes might not be far behind.

 

Jack the front up, take the wheels off and look at em. If you are close to metal to metal then change them out. You Tube the how to do it. If you don't feel comfortable then pay a place with good reviews. I am no expert. I have done about a few hundred front brake pads, rear shoes not so many. Usually if you catch them in time the front pads can be changed with out rotors and or turning the rotors, the first time replacing is needed.

 

My truck, mostly city miles 41k before desperate need of pad change. My wife’s Highlander with mostly highway miles goes around 70k before needing pads. It’s best to look for yourself or get another opinion, but you are probably due for pads and it’s cheap peace of mind.

 

Yea take a look at them yourself. Take a pic and post. Pretty sure plenty of members on here can tell you if they are good or bad.

 

90% highway miles, but even with towing trailers without a trailer brake controller installed I have over 150k on my brakes. The rotors themselves do have hotspots in them though. I will be changing the rotors and pads soon.

For me the bigger issue was that there is two pins that go through the pads and the holes in the pads got elongated over time, so the brakes make an occasional clunk sound when engaging them. This generally only happens if I had just been reversing, then go forward and tap the brakes, or the other way around. This is obviously due to the pads shifting one way, stoping, and then shifting back quickly the other way when I use the brakes.

I could be wrong, but I went through the ringer with the dealership for 80k miles till my “free” services had expired, my guess is they are pulling your leg. Here the common thing they recommend is a new cabin air filter even though they haven’t even looked at yours.

I understand what being a flat rate mechanic means, especially at a dealership where the majority of your job entails changing oil. However, attempting to charge people for work they honestly don’t need is purely a sham.

 

Mileage, to some extent, is irrelevant. Highway miles involve less braking than city driving, so you’ll get more mileage out of a pad. Also, driving style affects wear too. If you wait to brake and then brake heavily, that will wear them more quickly too.

 

I have a 4 cylinder and my front brakes had to be changed at 50k miles

 

****UPDATE****
I ended up going to another trust worthy mechanic and he also said they’re at the point at where he would also recommend new pads as they’re at about 25% or so. But then I asked for his more honest opinion I said I drive the truck like 1 or 2 times a week. He said just keep driving regular and then change em out for next service or so in another couple 3,000-4,000 miles. Good idea?

 

My tacoma got over 80,000 miles on my front breaks! Thats crazy.

 

As long as you don't get to the point of metal on metal, it wouldn't be bad. Wear obviously depends on type of driving and city will wear them far more than highway. Therefore, I wouldn't put too much weight into claims of 78,000 miles on a set of brakes.

 

Can you do your own maintenance? Cost like $40 for a new set of pads.

 

You definitely have enough pad left for 3 or 4 K more miles .

 

It really is irrelevant how many miles someone gets out of their pads. When I logged 25K a year doing 90% highway, I wouldn't touch my brakes for 45 minutes solid twice a day. That was 50 miles each way. My brakes would last 100k. Then moved to the city and drove about 15k a year with an average speed of about 30mph because of all the stop and go and I got about 40K out of my brakes. It all depends on how much you are on your brakes.

As for the OP, there really is no need to worry until you hit the sensors. Then you know it is time to replace.