Brake Replacement Experience at Les Schwab Tires

Curious how many miles you have now?

 

Good news, and thanks for the recommendation.

 

that's some serious rust.

 

Do the replacement drums they put on have the two M8 tapped holes, like the OEM ones, that you need for getting the drums off in the future if they rust up?

-Chap

 

Maybe that's common practice. I first heard about that from Eric the Car Guy, he works on a variety of vehicles.

 

Every drum brake vehicle I've ever worked on since the 1960s (not M8 threads back then) has had those two holes.

 

Rotors have the same two holes. The first time I removed a rotor was on our Prius, and the threaded holes were so rusty (and this is not a high-mileage, snow-belt car) there was a lot of resistance screwing in the the M8x1.25. I was seriously wondering if I was stripping the threads.

I'd screw them in till they really resisted. Then back them out, blow out the rust, do it again. Think I used a drop or two of liquid wrench too. Finally got through, and after a bit more screwing in the rotor popped free with a resounding bang, lol.

 

Just looked at the Maintenance Booklet on Toyota Tech Info, like all Prius, and in-depth brake inspection was proscribed tri-yearly or 30K miles. It's kinda subtle: the typical maintenance interval says "visually inspect...", and the more in-depth inspection is worded "Inspect the following: brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs". Footnote 3 is also on the subject:





The wording is not that clear, and Toyota Repair Manuals do not have a clearly delineated section saying this is what should be done. It's a bit of a mess. I think owners looking to cut costs, and lackluster dealership service departments, are leading to widespread neglect of brake maintenance.

 

Yeah the people make a big difference. We had ONE Honda Service Department manager that was really conscientious, would come out personally and explain what was going on, especially if there were multiple options on how to proceed. Great guy, didn't last there long. Last I heard he was teaching mechanics at a local vocational college.

 

I've seen some posts on PriusChat of people putting in cheap aftermarket rotors, with the pics showing no holes. Makes me wonder what their next job will be like.

I've owned 1 or 2 vehicles (made since the 1960s) without those holes, and have done some rather creative things to get rotors off.

If I bought a set that didn't have them, I'd seriously consider drilling and tapping them before putting them on....

-Chap

 

Glad you are happy with your PARTICULAR Les Schwab location. I would not let the two locations near me, touch my car after previous experiences at both.

 

I appreciate this doesn't work for everyone, but if you can manage to DIY, you can do brake inspections more frequently (per the schedule), not just when the pads need replacement. And the price is right. Out there today:



Pins three years on since last Sil-Glyde application:



Pads disassembled and cleaned. All at 7mm remaining, around 66K kms:

 

How about the time I went in, they put on new tires, I came out and asked where one of my wheel covers were.

The tech said that wheel cover was missing when I brought the car in. Absolute lie.

I looked about and saw it leaning against a pillar about 8 feet away.

Or the time they told me they had tires that fit and I went out and they had upsized the tire size without asking me. I made them dismount and put the old tires back on.

Or, the time I told them I needed new tires and please check the brakes (I knew that the front disc were dangerously worn). When they were done with the tires, I asked about the brakes -- they said, "Oh, they are fine."

Went down the street to the mechanic I usually use and he confirmed that the brakes needed replacement soon.

Same thing, different part when my strut was leaking.

From what I understand, it is the management at each particular store that makes the difference.

I don't know, but the two I am talking about are within five miles of each other. I would not be surprised if they shared a manager.

So, four strikes and they are out. Oh, I still use them when I absolutely have to use them, but I always really check over everything they do and say.