Dealer Cleaning rear brakes ???

I only ride my truck on road, has 50K on the clock, mostly highway. The dealership always does the oil change for "free" but always adds something. At about 25k they charged me 60.00 to clean/ adjust the rear brakes, now at 50K they want to do it again. The brakes work fine, no noise etc. Is this needed or just something to recoup the cost of the oil change ?? Is this something I could do at home ??? I have a jack, air compressor, tools etc.

Thanks in advance, Be Safe JIM

 

Hate to tell you but that $60 was wasted. My motorcycles rear drum needs cleaning now and then because it will start to squeal but I've never once cleaned my trucks rear drums. The shoes themselves can last well over 60,000 miles so unless you notice a problem definitely don't listen to the dealer.

I'd seriously consider finding a new dealer, if you can't trust them to be honest you shouldn't use them.

 

Agreed. Sorry OP ... and yeah, if you have another dealer convenient to you, then look into switching.

 

The rear drums on my '96 4Runner have 320,000+ miles, and they've never been touched. I've had no problems.

I'm not full of shit. I've had the truck since new, it's a manual, and has quite a few highway miles. I don't drive it aggressively, and have done basically no repair or replacement on it at all. Just routine maintenance.

 

Another thing, drum brakes on most all cars and trucks dating way back are self adjusting just as they are on your Tacoma. Like all the others say, no need to clean them either. This dealer is taking you, find another one. When repair shops do that to me I never go back.

 

At 10k miles later, they want to do it again? That makes my blood boil.

Just to see how they respond, I'd ask them if they should change the air in your tires, as it's been a while with the same air..... and what will the charge be.

 

i wonder if this is a dealer thing to cover drum inspections since it takes more time to inspect a drum than a disc... prob a liability concern that if the truck at a dealer and all the brakes need to be checked, so this cleaning bs is dished out to recoup $ for time to take a quick look at the drums?

my old Ranger ate a water pump at 20,000 miles and the ford dealer tried to sell me this, im like ummm no just repair the water pump so i can get my truck back and trade it in for a tacoma...

 

Question the Dealer and tell him you will put his answer here on the TW boards. Perhaps he'll refund some of the money he stole ....

 

There is no other dealer in the Daytona area, just tell them no thanks on certain suggested services (it's not just dealers that do this people. It's all automotive repair shops). Look at the positive side, you get to look at that kool Supra in the showroom when you go in

 

A free oil change costs the dealer money.
The dealership wants to make money.
The final choice is up to you if it is worth the cost of an oil change knowing they will try to sell you something.
That is what the dealership does to stay open.

 

OK they also charged me to "re-torque" the drive train..... is the a rip off too ???

JIM

 

freaking dealers.post which one and they'll be fleecing corolla buyers but not many Tacoma or tundra owners im sure.

 

That's a new to me and I've been in the biz for 19yrs lol! I'm gunna share that one w/ my Service Dept, HaHaHa

 

ehhh 25+10= 35k miles

25+25= 50k miles

To OP the Tacoma rear drums are self adjusting. Stealership is taking you for a ride. Dishonest IMO, look for another dealership.

drive train re torque??? haha retorque= burn outs

 

I think there are some bolts on the driveshaft that you can check the torque on. I seem to recall that, but I'm not sure; I vaguely remember checking something, but it was a long time ago. I'm gonna have to look in my owner's and chilton's manuals.

It sounds to me like anything that is referenced to be checked, the dealer is using to fleece money from folks. As in, if they inspect it, they say it needed adjustment (or cleaning ) and bill it.

 

Again....there are NO other dealers in the Daytona area, the next closest one is Deland and that's a lil over 30 miles away. Just refuse any of the "We recommend" work. All automotive repair shops do the same thing, it's not just dealers.

 

30 miles is not far IMHO.

 

Exactly.... I drive to work farther then that

 

Haha, I drive 40 miles (one way) to work and we have some that drive over 90 miles (one way) to work here. Customers typically don't like to drive far just for service, but if the service is good and you are fair, yes they will drive out of their way. Deland is a much smaller dealer and maybe they will be more honest/less shady

 

The dealers have you over a barrel with regards to warranty coverage. They can say you voided the warranty by not servicing as recommended. Whether they can make it stick or not, they have planted the doubt and most would choose the "pay me now" option.

My Taco is new, and has yet to have it's first "free" oil change. I'm considering my options for this same reason, as well as not wanting pimplefaced kids change my oil as has been reported is prevalent at dealerships.