Do your front brakes have to sound, before getting new ones? I went for an oil change and the guy that did my oil change is saying that I need new brakes. But I don't hear no sounds.
2006-09-12 09:55:42 · 11 answers · asked by incredible 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
Hearing sounds means that they are bad. He noticed that they are going bare, but not to the point that anything is grinding. Keep in mind that if you wait until they make noise (which means metal on metal is grinding) that it will be more expensive to replace... mainly because whatever is grinding means that it will have to be replaced along with the brake pads.
And also, waiting until they make noise is just dangerous. It safer to replace them when they are near bare. Think about getting gas.... do you fill up on gas when your car finally runs out on the side of the road? Or do you get gas when your dial is close to empty? Brake pads are the same way. Don't wait until there are no pads left...
2006-09-12 10:06:58 · answer #1 · answered by gregthedesigner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't necessarily need to get noisy before you should change them. The sound comes from something other than brake pad rubbing against the rotor/drum. The pad could be getting thin, and the oil change guy brought it up just so you know. I suspect most of those guys are reasonably truthful, especially if you're a repeat customer. If that's the case, they know they'll get the job regardless, so there's no point to telling you before you really need the work.
2006-09-12 17:06:49 · answer #2 · answered by czimme3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are they were being truthful. If you doubt that you need new brakes have another shop look at them for you. You don't necessarily need to hear anything before a major mechanical failure occurs, that's why they are called accidents. If you have rims that allow you to simply look at the rotor and caliper, you should be able to determine how much of the pad you have left. If you don't feel comfortable judging this yourself, have a mechanically inclined friend look at them for you or take the car to another shop for a second opinion. If you go to one shop and give them repeat business, they are more likely to do a better job and keep you coming back.
2006-09-13 00:36:13 · answer #3 · answered by Porterhouse 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can tell by looking at the brake pads. If they are worn down, then yes. If you go to two or three other people and they say no, they're fine, then chances are the guy was trying to take advantage of you because you are a girl.
P.S. What makes you think only guys can answer this question?
2006-09-12 17:03:16 · answer #4 · answered by sac_baby_girl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
most of the times brakes do make sounds before they go completely bad. Mechanics prey on women. Get a male family member to take your car to check the brakes.
2006-09-12 17:01:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the car has about 50K miles, I'd say yes, it probably needs front rotors changed. You've got time after the sqeelers begin to work, but not much.
2006-09-12 22:49:58 · answer #6 · answered by randyrich 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necessarly, the pads can be worn but not metal to metal , or touching the weare incicator, Its also a good idea to have them show u ,never take their word for it , also its better to catch them before the eat the rotors (metal to metal ) it will cost more when they do .. hope this helps
2006-09-12 17:03:56 · answer #7 · answered by aaron 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend a second opinion...he may just be trying to sell you a brake job...
2006-09-12 17:01:20 · answer #8 · answered by Dirtydog 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Soundsa re very bad and may just be dirt/ Did you ask him how he know that.
2006-09-12 21:10:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Not all have wear indicators.
2006-09-12 17:01:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋