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Yes you read that right. The brake was halfway set while my daughter drove it around for about 30-45 minutes until the brakes in the back failed. She was able to stop the car and after letting it sit for awhile was able to drive it to the shop and have it checked out. The shop said that the pads and rotors were shot and had to be replaced. My daughter said she did not hear any noises from the brakes while applying them after becoming aware of the brake problem.
So what do you think? Was the shop just looking to sell us new pads and rotors? Or was replacing the pads and rotors the right thing to do considering the safety factor?
Yes, they need replaced. The heat burned up the pads and probably warped the rotors.
It always surprises me that people take their cars to a mechanic to find out what is wrong, and then turn to people on the internet to question if they are being ripped off or not.
I'd give some credit to shop on that. It's plausible. There is no way to tell from HERE without seeing that car.
What they REALLY need to do is to replace ENTIRE brake fluid. Thing is, as I know what I am talking about, brake fluid boils and deteriorates rather quickly in situation like this. I am surprised she did not see any smoke from the rear but....
So anyway, that brake fluid is simply not safe to drive around with. Sorry. Has to be done. Complete flush.
Yes you read that right. The brake was halfway set while my daughter drove it around for about 30-45 minutes until the brakes in the back failed. She was able to stop the car and after letting it sit for awhile was able to drive it to the shop and have it checked out. The shop said that the pads and rotors were shot and had to be replaced. My daughter said she did not hear any noises from the brakes while applying them after becoming aware of the brake problem.
So what do you think? Was the shop just looking to sell us new pads and rotors? Or was replacing the pads and rotors the right thing to do considering the safety factor?
What, she didn't see the light on the dash? Will first there are separate pads for the emergency brakes. So the most that would happen is that they'd be ground down to bare metal, which she probably did. But I'm guessing your regular pads were probably near end of life. Thus might as well replace all the pads including the front. As to the rotors, I'll venture a guess that she did some excessive speeding and cracked one of the rotors and if you're going to replace one, might as well replace both.
As my kids are already grown up and I've pretty much heard everything, here's something to think about:
How can one tell if a teenager is lying? They stop talking.
It always surprises me that people take their cars to a mechanic to find out what is wrong, and then turn to people on the internet to question if they are being ripped off or not.
Yes. I understand where you're coming from. In this instance it was my daughter that questioned why the work was done when I charged her 1/2 of the bill that was due. She thought my mechanic, who I've dealt with for years, had ripped us off. I told her I would get on this forum and solicit opinions from people who have no dog in the hunt.
So thank you all who responded and it seems most validated the action of my mechanic.
Yes you read that right. The brake was halfway set while my daughter drove it around for about 30-45 minutes until the brakes in the back failed. She was able to stop the car and after letting it sit for awhile was able to drive it to the shop and have it checked out. The shop said that the pads and rotors were shot and had to be replaced. My daughter said she did not hear any noises from the brakes while applying them after becoming aware of the brake problem.
So what do you think? Was the shop just looking to sell us new pads and rotors? Or was replacing the pads and rotors the right thing to do considering the safety factor?
There is a good chance that the mechanic is correct. If the brakes failed more than likely the pads, brake fluid and rubber parts, plus the rotors were damaged. All depends on the amount of heat generated. But in general the rotors can be saved if not warped by the heat.
Yes, they need replaced. The heat burned up the pads and probably warped the rotors.
It always surprises me that people take their cars to a mechanic to find out what is wrong, and then turn to people on the internet to question if they are being ripped off or not.
I dont see the problem with it. There is a stigma around mechanics and being less than honest. Nothing wrong with asking an automotive forum "does this sound plausible?"
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