A very simple Car's brake question.?

Question

Ok my car is making a squeaky noise so I was worried about it. I took it to a family owned type of shop. He got my keys and drove it around for 2 minutes or so and told me I probably need a change of 4 new brake pads for 350$.From what I've heard, the only proper way to checking what's wrong with the brakes is to lift the car and remove parts to fully understand the problem. This guy however, didn't look under the car or even thorough the rims, can he be trying to scam me?

Answer 1

Scam--- you don't have to remove anything if you have disc brakes, but you do need to get under and look. You didn't state what type of car or if it's front, rear, or all-wheel drive.---get another estimate. when a place like this tells you $350--it ends up being $800. Go to a better place.
Today some manufactures state that the rotors can't be turned because it will cause warpage. A squeaky noise or a chipping noise can be the wear indicator-- or a warped and damaged rotor, glazing, or a jammed caliber ---a whole bunch of things can be wrong--or may just need pads. Some places do all four wheels for $99, including turning the rotors if needed. You don't need any surprises on the bill, because once they have it apart--they know your not going to have it put back together to take it else where.

Answer 2

Its a scam. You need to remove the wheels and check the actual thickness of the brake pads to be sure. Squealing can be caused by lots of things, including a little vibration in the pads (anti-squeal grease behind the pad will fix this), glazed rotors (a light rub with sandpaper can cure this), dirt caught in the brake pad material (replace pads), too much brake dust inside the drums (if you have drums on the rear, and the sound is coming from there)...sometimes, it's just brake pads that are too hard (racing pads often squeal until they reach normal operating temp - which is way higher that you will reach with normal street driving.)

Of course, he may be right - but he can't know for sure at the moment. $350 is not always a bad price, either...usually, the disks need machining or replacing, so it's a bigger job than just replacing the pads.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Not at all. A very common problem with disc brakes is people who don't check them often, and the pads wear down to the rivets, which then gouge up the surface of the rotors. (and squeak, by the way.)

Look through the holes in your wheels. See the shiny rotor? Does the surface look uneven? If so, that's all you need to see... you'll definitely be doing pads and rotors. Maybe that's what he saw.

Both front wheels tend to go at the same time, and should be changed together. Both rear wheels likewise - can you see them? If not they may be drums, so nothing to see.

If all 4 corners have gouged rotors, $350 sounds like a pretty good price to me.

He may also be highballing the quote, telling you what he thinks it MIGHT cost, so he can call you back later and tell you it'll be less. For a mechanic that's more fun than calling someone back and saying it'll be more. Ask him if you're not sure.

Answer 4

The only accurate way to do a brake inspection is to remove the wheels and check everything over. A proper inspection involves checking the system for leaks, measuring the pads and rotors against specifications, checking for proper operation of the calipers and wheel cylinders. Don't get me wrong you can tell a lot about what is going on with a vehicle from listening to it, but you cannot tell everything.

Also, as far as pricing, depending on what it really needs, you can go from a cheap brake job just involving brake pads to an expensive job ranging in the several hundred dollar range if it needs rotors, calipers, wheel cylinders, etc.

If he gave you a price without doing an actual inspection, I would get a 2nd opinion.

Answer 5

Yes you need new pads! You don't have to lift the car or look at it to Know. Brake pads have little tabs called scratchers to let you know when they need changed . Get it fixed ASAP if you don't it can damage other parts such as the rotor or the caliper ! very costly if that happens! The price isnt bad, the pads alone depending on your make of vehicle could easily cost $200 alone ! Then He charges $100 Labor. Dont see a scam here! ask for the wore parts back

Answer 6

He probably listened to the sound of the squeak. There is normal squeak and then there is a squeak slightly different when the wear indicatoris rubbing on the rotor. Though I would have to say that, a Good mechanic will also after test driving, do a visual check on the brakes as to hear four different wheels sqeak is not very reliable since sound does travel. If you are uncertain I would take it someplace else and get a second opinion.

Answer 7

If he's a goood mechanic, he can listen to the "sqeak" and determine what is causing it.
The brake pads have wear indicators that touch the brake rotor and they make a certain sound, and usualy only make this sound with the brakes NOT applied durring a turn.

Scince you didn't pay for a propper inspection, you got what you paid for.

If you take it to a shop, insist on seeing the old parts that are replaced. By law, if you ask, they have to show you. BUT you have to ask before the repairs are done.

Answer 8

you have a bicycle yeah? Or can see one someplace. So once you pull on the brake lever on the bars the lever pulls a cable that squeezes the two hands of the brake,those hands are linked to 2 brake blocks that press against the wheel rim,this creates friction and slows down the wheel. comparable vital in a vehicle,different than the squeezing is hydraulic,the foot brake is a cylinder crammed with a fluid that would not choose for to be squeezed,so once you press the fluid tries to flee,the only place it could pass is down pipes linked to the brake callipers,those have pistons interior them,so once you press the pedal fluid is going down the pipes,forces the piston out of the callipers that push brake pads against the two area of a brake disc,merely like the blocks on a bicycle wheel.

Answer 9

Run away or I should say drive away as fast as posible.Go somewere else . Ya, if the didn't even put the car on the hoist, and take the weels of to take a look. all they want is your money. go to a brake shop. They specialize in brakes, and most likely will have better pricing as well.

Answer 10

Sounds like you're being scammed. Brakes don't usually cost $350. Take it to another shop and get a 2nd opinion.