Ok, driving home the other day.... sounds like I've got canaries outside the car. No grinding or hesitation when stepping on the brakes. There is a little discoloration on the disks. It looks like some smudge marks. Any thoughts before I bring it to the mechanic and get raked over the coals? Any help on this would be a great help since us women tend to get shafted by them... Thanks!!

 

Well it could be you are down to the "squeelers" on the front brakes. They are little thin sheet metal parts that contact the front brake rotors and and vibrate or squeel telling you the brake pads need to be replaced.

Check the thickness of your front pads by pulling the front wheels off. Look at the brake pads and you will see the metal parts I'm referring to.

Anyway, just one idea. There could be many things making the noise, but this is the most likely thing to check first.

 

I can't believe there's no good picture on the 'net about this.

Anyway, the only freakin pic I could find is on this page: http://www.psiflex.com/ss/brakes.htm

Find the picture that's labeled "FRONT BRAKE PADS" in red. On that picture, right below the word "mounted" (in yellow"), you'll see a silver clip hanging off the brake pad- that's the wear indicator. In the paragraph after that picture, the guy explains some more about the indicators. (The indicators are NOT circled in yellow in the picture.)

Your pads might wear unevenly- a first glance at them with the wheel off might seem like you've got really thick pads. But find the wear indicator. It'll be on the inner pad, probably aimed at the bottom of the ground. That's probably the "thin" area of the pad.

 

thanks guys. i had a feeling that's what it might me..... i'm just worried about going to a mechanic and getting shafted by them telling me i need a whole brake overhaul. last time i had brakes done, (squealed for 3 days) i ended up with new routers, calipers, ect..... $600 later. any good suggestions of what to look for as far as damage wise so i don't get hooked again?

 

$600???? What were the parts made of, 24K GOLD?

A little info for you. New rotors at auto zone are from $29.99 to $39.99 each, no core charge. Pads are anywhere from $11.99 to $27.99 for a "decent performance pad" from the zone. (getthe $27.99 ones) You will also need 2 grease seals for $4 for the pair.

If your calipers aren't leaking, then you just reuse them. And if your rotors can be turned, you can generally get that done for $10 each.

So if you need to replace the rotors you will be at $75 to $100 for new rotors and pads, grease seals, plus labor. The rotors will need to be measured for thickness to see if they can be turned.

If you can have your rotors turned you will be at $20 for turning them, $12 to $30 for pads, $4 for seals. So about $50 plus labor

As for labor any moron can do front brakes in 1 hour or just a little longer if they don't run into problems like a broken wheel stud. They will have to clean and re-pack your wheel bearings and that takes a little time, but 1 hour should be about all the time it takes. It's a very basic job to do the front brakes on these cars.

They will probably try to sell you new wheel bearings, but most likely they will be reusable. If they try to do this, ask them to show you the old bearings compared to new ones. If you show some knowledge, hopefully they won't think you are a gullible woman and take advantage of you.

My neighbor was just quoted $1000 for a new clutch in her 92 nissan pickup. I can get the parts for $100 and charge $300 for changing it and make out really well time wise doing it.

I hope this info helps you save a few $$$$. Good luck and let us know if you need anymore help.

Hey, if you ever want to upgrade those brakes to "Super stoppers" , here is a brake upgrade kit I make. These will slow you down in a big hurry!!

http://www.spohn.net/product.cfm?productid=1453