Brake Job... hhhhmmm

[hotcoffee]

I just left the Prince Frederick, Maryland location. I told the mechanic that I needed him to check out the brakes on my 2005 Nissan Sentra. I told him they are making a noise when I back up.

I should preface this by saying I had my car at the Tires Plus shop in California, Maryland a few days ago for an oil change and I asked them to look at the brakes because they are making a noise when I back up. The mechanic came back and said that the rotors need to be replaced. He said it appears that the last time my brakes were done, someone had just "slapped the pads" on. I asked him what that means. He told me that it means that someone just put the pads on without turning the rotors.

I called Mr. Tire.... they said that they would have to look at the car. I let myself cool down before taking the car to them today. The mechanic came in and explained that I needed new rotors. Then he went on to say that it appears someone just "pad slapped" the car the last time the brakes were done.

When I asked him what that meant, he told me that the pads appear to be brand new but the rotors have a rust ring. He said that would mean that when those pads were put on the rotors were not turned. At that point I told him that the last time I had the brakes worked on... Mr. Tire did it. Then he started to deny that he had said that.

I got on the phone with my husband to tell him that Mr. Tire said I need new rotors, that the mechanic said that it appeared that the last person who did the job had "pad slapped" it. The mechanic said.... "oh no... that's not what I said"... I told him [hubby and the lady behind the counter were both listening] "yes that is exactly what you just said... you said "pad slapped". He then said that wasn't what he meant to say... and that he should have not spoken so quickly.

Here's the deal.... I believe it's very unlikely that two mechanics from two different companies, would both use exactly the same phrase "pad slapped" or "pads were slapped on" if it were not highly probable that it had occurred.

Both mechanics state that the pads are like brand new even tho they have been on the car since Mr. Tire installed them a year ago. The rotors have a rust ring.

The mechanic at Mr. Tire told me that they always turn the rotors. It's part of the job. "It's a habit". Always? Every single time?

The mechanic offered me a buy one rotor, get one free after our conversation. My husband told me to bring the car home. The mechanic said the brakes are still safe but I will continue to hear noise. I'd like you comments please.

 

[ICit]

I just left the Prince Frederick, Maryland location. I told the mechanic that I needed him to check out the brakes on my 2005 Nissan Sentra. I told him they are making a noise when I back up.

I should preface this by saying I had my car at the Tires Plus shop in California, Maryland a few days ago for an oil change and I asked them to look at the brakes because they are making a noise when I back up. The mechanic came back and said that the rotors need to be replaced. He said it appears that the last time my brakes were done, someone had just "slapped the pads" on. I asked him what that means. He told me that it means that someone just put the pads on without turning the rotors.

I called Mr. Tire.... they said that they would have to look at the car. I let myself cool down before taking the car to them today. The mechanic came in and explained that I needed new rotors. Then he went on to say that it appears someone just "pad slapped" the car the last time the brakes were done.

When I asked him what that meant, he told me that the pads appear to be brand new but the rotors have a rust ring. He said that would mean that when those pads were put on the rotors were not turned. At that point I told him that the last time I had the brakes worked on... Mr. Tire did it. Then he started to deny that he had said that.

I got on the phone with my husband to tell him that Mr. Tire said I need new rotors, that the mechanic said that it appeared that the last person who did the job had "pad slapped" it. The mechanic said.... "oh no... that's not what I said"... I told him [hubby and the lady behind the counter were both listening] "yes that is exactly what you just said... you said "pad slapped". He then said that wasn't what he meant to say... and that he should have not spoken so quickly.

Here's the deal.... I believe it's very unlikely that two mechanics from two different companies, would both use exactly the same phrase "pad slapped" or "pads were slapped on" if it were not highly probable that it had occurred.

Both mechanics state that the pads are like brand new even tho they have been on the car since Mr. Tire installed them a year ago. The rotors have a rust ring.

The mechanic at Mr. Tire told me that they always turn the rotors. It's part of the job. "It's a habit". Always? Every single time?

The mechanic offered me a buy one rotor, get one free after our conversation. My husband told me to bring the car home. The mechanic said the brakes are still safe but I will continue to hear noise. I'd like you comments please.

what mr tire was this? (not that is matters a whole lot.. just dont wanna go there)

most of those places have a crappy turnover rate with workers..... they work the dog crap out of them... and they get nothing in return. (not that it should matter .. if its their job.. they should do it right.)

now.. I have had brakes done and rotors not turned... everytime. But he does check to make sure the rotor is wearing normal.

on my other cars... the rotors have to be changed every so offten...

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I just left the Prince Frederick, Maryland location. I told the mechanic that I needed him to check out the brakes on my 2005 Nissan Sentra. I told him they are making a noise when I back up.

I called Mr. Tire....
The mechanic came in and explained that I needed new rotors.

When I asked him what that meant, he told me that the pads appear to be brand new but the rotors have a rust ring. He said that would mean that when those pads were put on the rotors were not turned.

Both mechanics state that the pads are like brand new even tho they have been on the car since Mr. Tire installed them a year ago. The rotors have a rust ring.

The mechanic at Mr. Tire told me that they always turn the rotors. It's part of the job. "It's a habit". Always? Every single time?

My husband told me to bring the car home. The mechanic said the brakes are still safe but I will continue to hear noise. I'd like you comments please.

Okay, if you hear a "squeak" when you apply the brakes, the brake pads may simply be down to the wear indicators; in which case, it's time to replace the pads.

If the car "wobbles" or "shudders" when you apply the brakes, your rotors are probably warped. Depending on how malformed they are, they MAY be able to be turned to bring them back to true and re-used. Get them turned once and re-install them. That MAY fix the problem.

If you see rust on the brake rotor surface take some brake cleaner, spray both sides of the disks and wet sand any rust off with fine sand paper, wipe the suface clean and re-install the caliper after checking the pads.

And DON'T go to Mr. Tire for anything other than tires; but only after considerable thought.

 

[glhs837]

Rotors do need checked when the pads are replaced, for thickness and "runout", which means that are not warped. They should only need turned if they are warped, or have a surface gouge that would harm the news pads.

Rust rings, well, normally it's not an issue. If the new pads are the same size as the old ones, they should not hit the rust. If they are not, why not? Wrong pads? In any case, there should be a test drive after brake work, and such a condition should have been caught and repaired as part of the job, I think.

 

[Merlin99]

I'm not a big believer in turning the rotors every time the pads are replaced, I think most of the time it's being done just to add an additional charge to the bill. There are times though when it is a requirement, such as if you let the pads go to far and the rivets have scored the rotors, or if thew rotors are new. If you have normal rotor wear though, the pads will form themselves to the rotor in short order.

 

[GWguy]

What bothers me is the comment that the pads "were like new" when examined after a year's service. Ok, maybe you don't brake hard and fast and treat your brakes right, but after a year there should have been noticeable wear.

Very light wear combined with a noise when stopping would make me look at the calipers (the things that press the brakes into the rotor to stop) to make sure they are working correctly. While I had it out, I'd do a rotor check. As a rule, I either turn or replace the rotors after 2-3 pad changes, not every pad change. Not necessary unless there is a problem.

 

[ICit]

Okay, if you hear a "squeak" when you apply the brakes, the brake pads may simply be down to the wear indicators; in which case, it's time to replace the pads.

If the car "wobbles" or "shudders" when you apply the brakes, your rotors are probably warped. Depending on how malformed they are, they MAY be able to be turned to bring them back to true and re-used. Get them turned once and re-install them. That MAY fix the problem.

If you see rust on the brake rotor surface take some brake cleaner, spray both sides of the disks and wet sand any rust off with fine sand paper, wipe the suface clean and re-install the caliper after checking the pads.

And DON'T go to Mr. Tire for anything other than tires; but only after considerable thought.

well said

 

[struggler44]

Most of the time if you hear brake noise when backing up it has something to do with your emergency brake as that's when it self adjusts, could be replacing the rotors will cure it but a round rotor is a round rotor whether going forward or reverse, just saying

 

[BigDogT]

Mr. Tire is dishonest and a joke

well said

I second this...I usually do my own repair and service work on my vehicles. Long story but Mr. Tire indicated that work was needed and I ok'ed the wife to let them do it since I was out of town. Got home and problem was still there. Pulled the wheels and the rotors they said they turned were still rusted to the hubs!!!!! and the rust ring was still very evident outside of the brake pad area....went back to get my money back and they said the work was done and paid for. If there was still a problem, they would be glad to put it back up on the rack. They did and said the rear axle needed changing!!! Told them to go beat off on someone else, pulled the rotors myself, replaced the rusty emergency brake pads inside the rotor (different set of pads from the regular braking pads) and noise went away....bunch of crooks....STAY AWAY FROM MR.TIRE !!!!!! I normally keep things like this to myself but this thread hit a little too close to home......AGAIN, STAY AWAY FROM MR.TIRE

 

[ICit]

I second this...I usually do my own repair and service work on my vehicles. Long story but Mr. Tire indicated that work was needed and I ok'ed the wife to let them do it since I was out of town. Got home and problem was still there. Pulled the wheels and the rotors they said they turned were still rusted to the hubs!!!!! and the rust ring was still very evident outside of the brake pad area....went back to get my money back and they said the work was done and paid for. If there was still a problem, they would be glad to put it back up on the rack. They did and said the rear axle needed changing!!! Told them to go beat off on someone else, pulled the rotors myself, replaced the rusty emergency brake pads inside the rotor (different set of pads from the regular braking pads) and noise went away....bunch of crooks....STAY AWAY FROM MR.TIRE !!!!!! I normally keep things like this to myself but this thread hit a little too close to home......AGAIN, STAY AWAY FROM MR.TIRE

... they are not the only ones that are like this...

most of the people working there are forced to work for they "bring" in... so they will tell you "this need changed, done... and its "

 

[Vince]

Always change the rotors when I change pads. It just doesn't pay to have them turned when new rotors won't cost much more. :shrug:

 

[glhs837]

But normally, rotors dont need changing, they last through 2-3 sets of pads. Unless they are warped or to thin, changing them is a waste of money.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

Always change the rotors when I change pads. It just doesn't pay to have them turned when new rotors won't cost much more. :shrug:

EVERY time you change the pads, you replace the rotors?
Why?

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

well said

Thank you.....er.....uuummm.....which part?

I might sound like I'm talkin' outta my a**, but I've done enough brake jobs to kinda know whereof I speak. Just sayin'..... :-D

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

I second this...I usually do my own repair and service work on my vehicles. Long story but Mr. Tire indicated that work was needed and I ok'ed the wife to let them do it since I was out of town. Got home and problem was still there. Pulled the wheels and the rotors they said they turned were still rusted to the hubs!!!!! and the rust ring was still very evident outside of the brake pad area....went back to get my money back and they said the work was done and paid for. If there was still a problem, they would be glad to put it back up on the rack. They did and said the rear axle needed changing!!! Told them to go beat off on someone else, pulled the rotors myself, replaced the rusty emergency brake pads inside the rotor (different set of pads from the regular braking pads) and noise went away....bunch of crooks....STAY AWAY FROM MR.TIRE !!!!!! I normally keep things like this to myself but this thread hit a little too close to home......AGAIN, STAY AWAY FROM MR.TIRE

Mr. Tire is a tire place. Going there for anything else is like going to a Proctologist for a dental exam.
(Made myself laugh)

You need brake work? Go to Meineke or Midas.

 

[Vince]

EVERY time you change the pads, you replace the rotors?
Why?

(1) If they charge me $25 per rotor to turn them and I can get new ones for $60 per rotor, I'll get the new ones and save myself time and trouble. (2) Some rotors you can't turn to specs so you're stuck buying new anyway. (3) they're easy to replace when you're replacing the pads, but all this is dependent upon doing the job yourself.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

(1) If they charge me $25 per rotor to turn them and I can get new ones for $60 per rotor, I'll get the new ones and save myself time and trouble. (2) Some rotors you can't turn to specs so you're stuck buying new anyway. (3) they're easy to replace when you're replacing the pads, but all this is dependent upon doing the job yourself.

Well.....yeah.....since you put it THAT way.

I just figured you were one of the few "money-no-object" folks.
I was gonna ask, 'What's that like?'

 

[glhs837]

(1) If they charge me $25 per rotor to turn them and I can get new ones for $60 per rotor, I'll get the new ones and save myself time and trouble. (2) Some rotors you can't turn to specs so you're stuck buying new anyway. (3) they're easy to replace when you're replacing the pads, but all this is dependent upon doing the job yourself.

But most of the time, they don't need turned either. So you dont need to spend the $25, and certainly not $60.

 

[DEEKAYPEE8569]

But most of the time, they don't need turned either. So you dont need to spend the $25, and certainly not $60.

That's true; but checking runout is just good sense; and if it reveals that you DO need a turn or a replacement; then it saves headaches later.

 

[libertytyranny]

my brakes were making a horrible squeaking/creaking a while back..and I had new pads..took it somewhere..forget where and they tried to tell me basically my car was going to blow up and I was going to die.

Took it to a friend of my dad's...told me some pads are just squeaky. got them changed again..goodby noise :shrug: