Need new caliper, brake pad and rotor

TPLEE

MEMBER
2010 TOYOTA PRIUS
75,000 MILES

Ho and thanks for taking the time to read this.

My wife was on her way to minnesota from milwaukee(about a 6 hour drive) when she started hearing a grinding type noise. When she got there she took it into a local shop and told her the left rear brake pad, rotor, and caliper need to be replaced. The quoted her $600.00. I have a friend who is a mechanic at home (milwaukee) who will do it for a fraction of the price. My questions is:

1. Is it safe for her to drive it home if shes just going to be on the freeway and not be braking so often?
2. Could she damage the car more?
3. $600 seems like a lot to replace those things in only 1 tire, is this guy trying to rip my wife off?

I would prefer if she drove it home so we could save some money as we dont have a lot right now, but I also want her to be safe. She doesnt need to come home until 08/07/2013 so any help before then would be appreciated.

Thanks for any help

Thomas

2 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

I can understand the brake pads and one rotor, but why the caliper? Did they give a reason? In the '70s and '80s we always rebuilt the calipers at every brake job, but today they cause a lot less trouble. If one does have a problem rebuilt ones are so cheap now that it doesn't pay for the mechanic to rebuild them.

Many mechanics are still of that mindset that a conscientious brake job includes rebuilding or replacing the calipers but then this fellow should have recommended both. In this case your car still uses a miserable design that GM and Ford finally gave up on. It has the parking brake built into it. Those can cause the caliper to stick and wear the pads excessively on one side. Also, that adds a real lot to the cost of a replacement.

Without seeing the car myself or knowing what caused this or if the other side is wearing the same, it is likely there won't be a problem driving it home. Since the grinding just started there is going to be a little lining left on the pads. Most rotors aren't real expensive so even if it grinds down to beyond the minimum limit, it's not going to wear that much on the highway.

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Sunday, August 4th, 2013 AT 8:46 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

I AGREE WITH "DOC" ........I MIGHT ADD, KEEP THE "AWAY FROM HOME" DRIVING AS MINIMAL AS SHE CAN

BUT I DO KNOW HOW PEOPLE WORRY....GET ALL FREAKED OUT.....AND DO OPPOSITE OF WHAT IS SUGGESTED

IF IT WERE MY WIFEY.......EVERY TIME I SPOKE TO HER, WOULD BE HOW THE DARN CAR WAS GONNA EXPLODE!

SO, JUST TO MAYBE AID YOU IF THAT KINDA STUFF HAPPENS TO YOU TOO.......LET'S TRY SOMEONE ELSE WITH A "REAL PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATION"......HOPEFULLY FOR A "TRUSTABLE SHOP" THIS TIME........SEE MY LINK BELOW!

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2003-nissan-altima-gas-line-leak-near-tank-told-running-tank-tank-itself

YOU MIGHT EVEN BE ABLE TO CALL THESE PLACES AND DO ALL OF THE LEG WORK FROM HOME....THEN SEND HER TO THE RIGHT PLACE

PLEASE KEEP US POSTED ON THIS THREAD!

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, August 4th, 2013 AT 9:37 PM

Need new caliper, brake pad and rotor

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