Good information here. Bought a older Rav4 and definitely plan on changing the rotors and pads myself. Alot of youtube vids out there. Doesn't seem too hard. Just more time consuming for the first timer.
- Last Updated:
- May 19th, 2017 3:52 pm
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- at1212b
- Deal Fanatic
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- Mar 31, 2008
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- Toronto
- supermike [OP]
- Member
- Aug 29, 2005
- 416 posts
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Exactly! That's why I love RFD. We can get lots of useful info here. I would like to DYI. But I still don't have the guts to work on important parts like break by myself.
- cartfan123
- Deal Addict
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- Sep 8, 2007
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- Way Out of GTA
- engineered
- Deal Addict
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- Feb 11, 2007
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Just buy new rotors. It will be cheaper than $58 to inspect plus cost of resurfacing. There's also a bigger chance that resurfaced rotors will have problems down the road, and you may actually wear the rotors too thin before you get rid of it.supermike wrote: ↑May 19th, 2017 10:15 amI called dealer today. 1200+ for pads and rotors. However, only 400 bucks for pads and resurfacing! wow, that's good price. But they said it's not up to us what to do, I need to pay them 58 bucks first to check whether replacing or resurfacing. I am tempted to pay this 58 bucks.
- engineered
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- Feb 11, 2007
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You replace your brakes when they break...
Brakes are not a hard DIY. The only thing easier to do on a car is change your oil.
- billford
- Sr. Member
- Feb 6, 2011
- 844 posts
- 368 upvotes
If the rotors are smooth and there's no brake pulsation, just leave them, if they are above minimum thickness.supermike wrote: ↑May 19th, 2017 10:15 amI called dealer today. 1200+ for pads and rotors. However, only 400 bucks for pads and resurfacing! wow, that's good price. But they said it's not up to us what to do, I need to pay them 58 bucks first to check whether replacing or resurfacing. I am tempted to pay this 58 bucks.
If they are rusty or have deep ridges, replace them, not worth resurfacing.
- hdom
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- Aug 29, 2006
- 6343 posts
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The good news is, you now know your guy isn't too far out of the ball park and did you try to ask him how much for just resurfacing rotors only since you don't plan to keep the car.
Otherwise, I pay the $60 to inspect at the dealer and tell them you are going to take it to other guy if you can't resurface so they are less likely to tell you otherwise and make you buy new rotors with them.
Either way, looks like you are saving money, just a matter of how much so good luck.
Otherwise, I pay the $60 to inspect at the dealer and tell them you are going to take it to other guy if you can't resurface so they are less likely to tell you otherwise and make you buy new rotors with them.
Either way, looks like you are saving money, just a matter of how much so good luck.
supermike wrote: ↑May 19th, 2017 10:15 amI called dealer today. 1200+ for pads and rotors. However, only 400 bucks for pads and resurfacing! wow, that's good price. But they said it's not up to us what to do, I need to pay them 58 bucks first to check whether replacing or resurfacing. I am tempted to pay this 58 bucks.
Last edited by hdom on May 19th, 2017 3:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
The Devil made me buy it - RFD. 
- BeapChastard
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- Dec 23, 2015
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- Newmarket, ON
My first time was incredibly difficult because the rotors had rusted on there really good. I had to whack each rotor for like an hour before it finally came off. Also I had to drill out the screws that held them becuase they had rusted so bad that even an impact driver couldn't screw them out. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time and work slowly, double checking everything. There is a great tutorial on youtube by chrisfix.
- ottofly
- Deal Addict
- Jun 18, 2008
- 4141 posts
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- Montreal
The most logical and practical answer in this thread. The fear mongering on this site concerning maintenance is staggering. People tossing perfectly fine OEM assembly line rotors to replace with inferior aftermarket because it's 'cheap'. smh
- at1212b
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- Mar 31, 2008
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Yea, thanks for the heads up on it and link. Good point. Never as easy as it looks by someone who has done it many times. Even the small things can slow you down. I'm picking up a used one shortly, has been taken care of pretty well so hopefully it's not as bad. I'll have to double check to see when they were changed last but when I test drove it, it felt like it could use it (also, more so for me to gain experience trying too). Maybe I'll spray on the liquid wrench over a couple of days to let it soak in.BeapChastard wrote: ↑May 19th, 2017 3:12 pmMy first time was incredibly difficult because the rotors had rusted on there really good. I had to whack each rotor for like an hour before it finally came off. Also I had to drill out the screws that held them becuase they had rusted so bad that even an impact driver couldn't screw them out. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time and work slowly, double checking everything. There is a great tutorial on youtube by chrisfix.
I'll probably also get my dad to help. He's not too familiar with cars but is good with his hands and understands general mechanics.