Pep Boys for brake job?
 

I was rotating my tires (w/my new Harbor Freight 20" lift floor jack) and
noticed the inner pads on my front brakes are worn down to the backing plate.

So, I'm thinking of getting Pep Boys to R&R my front brake pads. They say they
always turn down the rotors and the total cost would be $161.00. Rotors don't
always need to be turned down do they? I thought they only needed to be turned
down if they were badly grooved (they can catch a fingernail in the grooves)?

I also want to thank whoever gave me the heads up on the great 3-ton, 20" lift
floor jack I got from Harbor Freight for $60.00. The only regret I've got is I
didn't find out about it 10 years ago.
-Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)

Re: Pep Boys for brake job?
 

Wblane did pass the time by typing:
> I was rotating my tires (w/my new Harbor Freight 20" lift floor jack) and
> noticed the inner pads on my front brakes are worn down to the backing plate.

Your caliper bolts might be worn or sticky. Remove, clean, check. IF they
have notches or wear spots you can feel with your fingernail, replace them.
Cheap part at NAPA. Couple o bucks.

> So, I'm thinking of getting Pep Boys to R&R my front brake pads. They say they
> always turn down the rotors and the total cost would be $161.00. Rotors don't
> always need to be turned down do they? I thought they only needed to be turned
> down if they were badly grooved (they can catch a fingernail in the grooves)?

IF there is no visible damage it is not necissary to turn the rotor.
Save yourself some dough and replace the pads yourself. All it takes is
a few tools and a big ass C clamp to move the piston back in.

- never press directly on the piston, always in the center of the old shoe
- Remember to open the brake reservoir a bit, loosen the cap
- you can crack the bleed valve a bit rather than press older fluid up
into the system

I've also found that rotors are simply cheaper to replace. Most shops
don't properly machine them anyway and soon they warp.

One final note, never ever let the caliper hang by the hose. Hang it
with a coathanger on the frame or suspension.

--
DougW

Re: Pep Boys for brake job?
 

Wblane did pass the time by typing:
> I was rotating my tires (w/my new Harbor Freight 20" lift floor jack) and
> noticed the inner pads on my front brakes are worn down to the backing plate.

Your caliper bolts might be worn or sticky. Remove, clean, check. IF they
have notches or wear spots you can feel with your fingernail, replace them.
Cheap part at NAPA. Couple o bucks.

> So, I'm thinking of getting Pep Boys to R&R my front brake pads. They say they
> always turn down the rotors and the total cost would be $161.00. Rotors don't
> always need to be turned down do they? I thought they only needed to be turned
> down if they were badly grooved (they can catch a fingernail in the grooves)?

IF there is no visible damage it is not necissary to turn the rotor.
Save yourself some dough and replace the pads yourself. All it takes is
a few tools and a big ass C clamp to move the piston back in.

- never press directly on the piston, always in the center of the old shoe
- Remember to open the brake reservoir a bit, loosen the cap
- you can crack the bleed valve a bit rather than press older fluid up
into the system

I've also found that rotors are simply cheaper to replace. Most shops
don't properly machine them anyway and soon they warp.

One final note, never ever let the caliper hang by the hose. Hang it
with a coathanger on the frame or suspension.

--
DougW

Re: Pep Boys for brake job?
 

Wblane did pass the time by typing:
> I was rotating my tires (w/my new Harbor Freight 20" lift floor jack) and
> noticed the inner pads on my front brakes are worn down to the backing plate.

Your caliper bolts might be worn or sticky. Remove, clean, check. IF they
have notches or wear spots you can feel with your fingernail, replace them.
Cheap part at NAPA. Couple o bucks.

> So, I'm thinking of getting Pep Boys to R&R my front brake pads. They say they
> always turn down the rotors and the total cost would be $161.00. Rotors don't
> always need to be turned down do they? I thought they only needed to be turned
> down if they were badly grooved (they can catch a fingernail in the grooves)?

IF there is no visible damage it is not necissary to turn the rotor.
Save yourself some dough and replace the pads yourself. All it takes is
a few tools and a big ass C clamp to move the piston back in.

- never press directly on the piston, always in the center of the old shoe
- Remember to open the brake reservoir a bit, loosen the cap
- you can crack the bleed valve a bit rather than press older fluid up
into the system

I've also found that rotors are simply cheaper to replace. Most shops
don't properly machine them anyway and soon they warp.

One final note, never ever let the caliper hang by the hose. Hang it
with a coathanger on the frame or suspension.

--
DougW

Re: Pep Boys for brake job?
 

Pep Boys? Yeah, they hire REAL mechanics like Harbor Freight sells REAL
tools. Good luck.

--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California

Re: Pep Boys for brake job?
 

Pep Boys? Yeah, they hire REAL mechanics like Harbor Freight sells REAL
tools. Good luck.

--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California

Re: Pep Boys for brake job?
 

Pep Boys? Yeah, they hire REAL mechanics like Harbor Freight sells REAL
tools. Good luck.

--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California

Re: Pep Boys for brake job?
 

In article <20041011121825.01525.00001826@mb-m17.aol.com>,
wblane@aol.combotizer says...
> I was rotating my tires (w/my new Harbor Freight 20" lift floor jack) and
> noticed the inner pads on my front brakes are worn down to the backing plate.
>
> So, I'm thinking of getting Pep Boys to R&R my front brake pads. They say they
> always turn down the rotors and the total cost would be $161.00. Rotors don't
> always need to be turned down do they? I thought they only needed to be turned
> down if they were badly grooved (they can catch a fingernail in the grooves)?
>
> I also want to thank whoever gave me the heads up on the great 3-ton, 20" lift
> floor jack I got from Harbor Freight for $60.00. The only regret I've got is I
> didn't find out about it 10 years ago.
> -Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)
>



Hmm. I just picked up a "Michelin" brand 3.5 ton 22" lift jack at Sam's
Club for $59 and some change. One stroke to chassis is nice.

Have fun!

Re: Pep Boys for brake job?
 

In article <20041011121825.01525.00001826@mb-m17.aol.com>,
wblane@aol.combotizer says...
> I was rotating my tires (w/my new Harbor Freight 20" lift floor jack) and
> noticed the inner pads on my front brakes are worn down to the backing plate.
>
> So, I'm thinking of getting Pep Boys to R&R my front brake pads. They say they
> always turn down the rotors and the total cost would be $161.00. Rotors don't
> always need to be turned down do they? I thought they only needed to be turned
> down if they were badly grooved (they can catch a fingernail in the grooves)?
>
> I also want to thank whoever gave me the heads up on the great 3-ton, 20" lift
> floor jack I got from Harbor Freight for $60.00. The only regret I've got is I
> didn't find out about it 10 years ago.
> -Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)
>



Hmm. I just picked up a "Michelin" brand 3.5 ton 22" lift jack at Sam's
Club for $59 and some change. One stroke to chassis is nice.

Have fun!

Re: Pep Boys for brake job?
 

In article <20041011121825.01525.00001826@mb-m17.aol.com>,
wblane@aol.combotizer says...
> I was rotating my tires (w/my new Harbor Freight 20" lift floor jack) and
> noticed the inner pads on my front brakes are worn down to the backing plate.
>
> So, I'm thinking of getting Pep Boys to R&R my front brake pads. They say they
> always turn down the rotors and the total cost would be $161.00. Rotors don't
> always need to be turned down do they? I thought they only needed to be turned
> down if they were badly grooved (they can catch a fingernail in the grooves)?
>
> I also want to thank whoever gave me the heads up on the great 3-ton, 20" lift
> floor jack I got from Harbor Freight for $60.00. The only regret I've got is I
> didn't find out about it 10 years ago.
> -Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)
>



Hmm. I just picked up a "Michelin" brand 3.5 ton 22" lift jack at Sam's
Club for $59 and some change. One stroke to chassis is nice.

Have fun!