Brakes

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Originally Posted by MrZ06

Ceramic pads are most likely not needed on your car. There are advantages to ceramic pads but very few cars require them.

For example I use ceramic pads to reduce brake dust. But they are not required for my car.

That usually depends on make, model or application.
Some racers use ceramic pads; but most opt for carbon fiber.

[desertrat (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Happygirl

Cheseldine, in front of Wal-mart. It is the only place I will take my car.

I've been happy with them lately. Last time they had the truck up on the lift for other work I asked them to look at the pads. They said I had about 60% left. Didn't try to sell me any.

[dontknowwhy]

Originally Posted by glhs837

I do have to ask the folks making recommendations, how qualified are you to spot a mechanic making bank at your expense? Do you know the details of the work to be done, could you spot check the work to be sure it was done to spec, which parts should be used?

If you are not, how do you know how honest your mechanic really is?

So far, all of the places that have been recommended have been small service centers that are local & they all have impeccable reputations. It seems these people have been going to these places for years, it doesn't sound as if they are going in monthly for major work because these mechanics that they trust say they need to dump all this money into their cars, although they could be seeing them regularly for preventive maintenance as well, thereby building a repoire with these businesses...so to answer your question...years & years of a good & sound business relationship is how...

[smilin]

Gatton's Auto Service in Hollywood - very honest, knowledgeable and quick.
301-373-2237

[MefromNY]

Reply to glhs837- Though I am certainly not an expert on vehicle maintanence, I do consider myself more knowledgable than the average woman (and heck, some men too). I trust my mechanic for many reasons, including the fact that I am 99% correct when predicting repairs-and we are on the same page with his diagnosis. Lessons well learned from my dad, I suppose. Not everyone is out to take advantage of others at any given opportunity. Just most unfortunately. My Mennonite mechanics rock!

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by MefromNY

Reply to glhs837- Though I am certainly not an expert on vehicle maintanence, I do consider myself more knowledgable than the average woman (and heck, some men too). I trust my mechanic for many reasons, including the fact that I am 99% correct when predicting repairs-and we are on the same page with his diagnosis. Lessons well learned from my dad, I suppose. Not everyone is out to take advantage of others at any given opportunity. Just most unfortunately. My Mennonite mechanics rock!

From NY..... whereabouts?

[Crewdawg141]

Originally Posted by MrZ06

Ceramic pads are most likely not needed on your car. There are advantages to ceramic pads but very few cars require them.

For example I use ceramic pads to reduce brake dust. But they are not required for my car.

That was my thought, but goodness knows what some of the OEM's are putting onto cars either as standard or optional equipment to make a few extra bucks.

[GWguy]

The last few times I got new pads from Advance Auto, the screen showed many different choices for my truck, some ceramic, some not. The truck originally came with ceramic. After getting replacement ceramic pads a few times, I now opt for non-ceramic. They wear about the same, produce far less "dirty wheel syndrome" which I hate, and as mentioned, the rotors don't get abused as much. The difference in stopping power, even with a 1 ton trailer, is unnoticeable.

[Crewdawg141]

Originally Posted by GWguy

The last few times I got new pads from Advance Auto, the screen showed many different choices for my truck, some ceramic, some not. The truck originally came with ceramic. After getting replacement ceramic pads a few times, I now opt for non-ceramic. They wear about the same, produce far less "dirty wheel syndrome" which I hate, and as mentioned, the rotors don't get abused as much. The difference in stopping power, even with a 1 ton trailer, is unnoticeable.

My Ram ate up the Ceramics that I tried in 18,000 miles. I went back to the Semi-Met pads and it is happy with them. I never noticed a difference in braking ability empty or loaded between the different pads that I have tried. Maybe if you get a Brembo or Baer system things might be different but with stock pieces I never felt that the Ceramics were worth the expense.

[puggymom]

Originally Posted by xobxdoc

Every time I have ever been in there, even with relatively new pads, they recommend new pads. Find some one you trust to look at them.

I am glad my hubby does my brakes. He had just changed them a few months before I got a flat and I went into a place (cannot remember the name...of of the chain places) and they told me I needed new brakes. Of course when I told my hubby he just rolled his eyes and said if I needed new breaks after a few months I was in trouble.