How long should my front brakes last?

Timmy · 07-27-2007, 04:18 AM

I took my Jeep in for the 30,000 mile service today. The service guy later calls me and tells me that my brake pads are at 1.1 millimeters (I have no idea what percent that is) and that they need to be replaced. Seeing as my brakes were at 40% just 6,000 miles ago, I told him "no way." How does a brake go from almost half there to "practically gone" in only 6,000 miles? I haven't offroaded in that time, so dirt/gravel aren't wearing the brakes. How long are these things supposed to last? Thanks for your help guys. It just felt like he was trying to squeeze extra money out of me.

JSBlu974X4 · 07-27-2007, 04:24 AM

not 6,000 miles but if you took it to jeep, they would say your defrapinator needed to be replaced too. my brakes go 20,000 or more miles before replacing. I replace mine maybe once a year. take it somewhere local or look at them yourself, its not hard to do them yourself, 30 minutes

Jackle · 07-27-2007, 05:24 AM

not alot of people realize when they look at the pads that the piston pushes on the inner pad not the outer pad........so in essence your inside pad will wear down faster than your outer pads. most people make the mistake of either just looking through their rim, or just looking at the outer pad and basing their judgement on that. i'd say that about 30,000 on one set isn't that bad. if you still have some concerns they go to the shop and have him show you the pads.

Slithering_Joe · 07-27-2007, 05:49 AM

It all depends on you driving habits and the road you take. The front brakes on my other car lasted 67,000 miles(8 years) and have plenty of meat left on them. So much I keep them as spares for the track. The rears wore down completely over that time. Check the brakes out yourself. It's time to learn how to now.

I know this guy [name witheld] tried pulling this brake scam on some elder lady at a dealership. He said she needed brakes but he never checked to see if she was in the system. (Big dummy) It just so happens that she was in for a brake job 1 month prior to this visit. Well, he got fired and now works for another dealership making more money. Some people just manage to fail and fall upwards.

XRussoX · 07-27-2007, 05:54 AM

Just did my 30000 mile service for $115 in fluids. How much did it cost you? If you don't mind me asking.

Russo

**sixshooter05** · 07-27-2007, 06:21 AM

Still on my original front pads with 58K, but I do mostly highway driving.

**Unlimited04** · 07-27-2007, 07:35 AM

i'm at 31k now, just had all the servicing done and they checked the brakes (cost 45 bucks!) . my fronts are fine, but the rotors are warped (which i already knew), and the rears are at 9/32nd. so everything is wearing fine....but i'm guessing i'll replace them when they start squealing & the front shaking gets worse. i'll prolly get another 10k out of them at least.

30k sucks for a set of brakes. Jeep isn't know for awesome brakes. My dad's WJ needed all new pads and rotors at 24k. When its time to replace mine, I'm going with high quality rotors (like non-slotted PowerSlots), and some high quality pads with a Lifetime warranty. But then again, I plan to keep for jeep for a long time.

**BYuen** · 07-27-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRussoX

Just did my 30000 mile service for $115 in fluids. How much did it cost you? If you don't mind me asking.

Russo

Well I do all that myself. Coolant flush and refill etc. 25 bucks approx. Oil Change with synthetic and Wix oil filter maybe 35 to 40 bucks. Both diff fluids changed maybe around 30 if I remember correctly. Washer fluid 2 dollars. Drain and refill my 5spd around 40. TC drain and refill about 12 dollars or so I think. So all in all for a complete change of all the fluids in my vehicle it adds up to around $150 to $200. Heck of a lot cheaper than taking it to the dealership not to mention... They were charging 100 bucks for a fluid change per differential...

**Jerry Bransford** · 07-27-2007, 11:51 AM

Take your wheel off and look at the pads (you can see them fine once the wheel is off), which is the only way you'll know for sure.

am3rican · 07-27-2007, 12:02 PM

your brakes have wear indicators on them. almost all new vehicles do. you'd know if you needed to replace your pads as they would squeal all the time. unless you are shimmying while you are braking, then i wouldnt worry too much about the brakes. next time you go in for service, take it to a local mechanic as i would trust them 1000x more than the dealership's mechanics.

XRussoX · 07-27-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BYuen

Well I do all that myself. Coolant flush and refill etc. 25 bucks approx. Oil Change with synthetic and Wix oil filter maybe 35 to 40 bucks. Both diff fluids changed maybe around 30 if I remember correctly. Washer fluid 2 dollars. Drain and refill my 5spd around 40. TC drain and refill about 12 dollars or so I think. So all in all for a complete change of all the fluids in my vehicle it adds up to around $150 to $200. Heck of a lot cheaper than taking it to the dealership not to mention... They were charging 100 bucks for a fluid change per differential...

Right. I did all mine also. Took a few hours but I was talking, drinking and hanging out while I did it. Just trying to figure out how much money I saved...

Russo

Timmy · 07-27-2007, 01:03 PM

Thanks you so much guys! Now that I know 30k is reasonable for mostly city driving, I'll go take it to a non-stealership mechanic. One of my neighbors told me about a mechanic that he has been going to for 15 years who is supposed to good and honest. Unfortunately, I can't work on the Jeep at my apartment complex (according to the lease). Once I move into a house I'll learn how to do all this on my own.

XRussoX · 07-27-2007, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

Thanks you so much guys! Now that I know 30k is reasonable for mostly city driving, I'll go take it to a non-stealership mechanic. One of my neighbors told me about a mechanic that he has been going to for 15 years who is supposed to good and honest. Unfortunately, I can't work on the Jeep at my apartment complex (according to the lease). Once I move into a house I'll learn how to do all this on my own.

Get air tools...

Russo

RockRunner85 · 07-27-2007, 01:43 PM

I get 33k out of my first set of breaks. I had 35" tires on there for the majority of those miles. Not bad. Besides I spend more in gas and oil than I do swapping the brakes. Its 50 bucks and 30 minutes of my time.

**Jerry Bransford** · 07-27-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockRunner85

I get 33k out of my first set of breaks.

Sure, I got a lot of mileage out of the breaks I got in life too... but what kind of mileage did you get out of your first set of brakes.

07-27-2007, 01:03 PM	#12
Timmy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Washington State Posts: 67 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Thanks you so much guys! Now that I know 30k is reasonable for mostly city driving, I'll go take it to a non-stealership mechanic. One of my neighbors told me about a mechanic that he has been going to for 15 years who is supposed to good and honest. Unfortunately, I can't work on the Jeep at my apartment complex (according to the lease). Once I move into a house I'll learn how to do all this on my own. __________________ 'Ought Four TJ