do my break disk need replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by padro2007, Apr 27, 2018.

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  1. padro2007

    padro2007 New Member

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    Hello experts,
    I have been advised that all 4 break disks in my Prius 2007 needs urgent replacement. It has come as a shock as previous year, when the car was fully serviced, absolutely no advice was given. attaching pictures of all 4 break disks. need your expert advice please.

    Thanks
    Padro IMG_4606.JPG IMG_4607.JPG IMG_4608.JPG IMG_4609.JPG
     
    #1 padro2007, Apr 27, 2018
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    Some questions:
    • How thick are the disks?
    • How many miles on Your Prius?
    • How thick are the brake pads?
    • What did the report last year state?
    Keep us posted (y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Apr 27, 2018
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  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Like Ray said:

    You must be at a dealer. Those BRAKE rotors don’t look that bad at all surface wise.

    Why are you chasing brake issues? If your at the dealer and there just “checking” the brakes usually that means there getting you ready for surgery on your wallet. A full walletectomy will soon be indicated.

    There checked your patient history and saw you sit still for a “full service” already. That tells them there’s still gold left in there.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Apr 27, 2018
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Did they say why they need replacement? Nearing minimum thickness? If you're not feeling any pulsation, thickness would be the issue, runout should be fine. Instruction for checking the fronts is in the attachment. Unforunately it's North American Repair Manual, has instruction for drum brake rears.

    Anyway, new thickness for fronts is 22.0 mm, and service limit is 20.0 mm. You can check with 0-25 mm micrometer, or caliper in a pinch.

    upload_2018-4-27_11-0-38.png
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 Mendel Leisk, Apr 27, 2018
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  5. padro2007

    padro2007 New Member

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    Thanks very much for your kind advice.

    The garage owner advised that rear break disks(pic 1 and pic 4) are corroded. The front ones ( pic no 2 and 3 above) are in critical condition because thickness is below the minimum, level. He suggested to replace all immediately. I did enquire how much time do I have ( i.e. 3 days, 1 week) before I could replace? He advised especially the front ones needs to be replaced immediately. He also advised that he will write on invoice 'Car not fit to drive on road' if I decide to take the car out. It got me really worried.
    Since I got really worried, I could not argue and negotiate and ended up getting all 4 break disks replaced.. costed around £300 towards parts charges.;

    later after reading advice from Mendel above, I called the Garage again and enquired about the thickness.The Garage Owner informed that thickness was around 19 mm for front ones and around 9 mm for rear ones. I didn't have any choice but to agree. I have done around 8K miles since last MOT in April 2017.

    Feeling ripped off and disappointed for not acting wisely but then will be more careful next time

    Many thanks all
     
    #5 padro2007, May 5, 2018
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    @padro2007 FWIW, this is third generation rear disc brake rotor spec, it might be close:

    upload_2018-5-5_9-29-44.png

    Again, attachment has more info.
     

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    #6 Mendel Leisk, May 5, 2018
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Rotors are not that expensive? At least not on our side of the pond. Well, they don't grow on trees either, but reasonable. If your fronts are at 19mm that's under spec. Again, not sure about second gen rear rotors.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, May 6, 2018
  8. juniperala

    juniperala Junior Member

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    I have a Prius Three 2015 at 123,840k. This independent shop is telling me that since my front brake pads need replacement, my rotors need replacing too. They said they just always do both at this point. No point in resurfacing rotors because they're all made too thin to begin with at this point. I asked about thickness of each and he says the pads are at 10% and he can't measure the rotor thickness without taking everything apart. Is this legit? $395 for the spark plugs, and brake/pads/rotors out the door with tax $935.
     
    #8 juniperala, Jul 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    spark plugs were due at 120k, so get that done, but get a few prices. see my reply to your brake question in the other thread
     
    #9 bisco, Jul 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
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  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Just about everything he said is bogus. Pads last a long time on a Prius and rotors last twice as long. I have over 300,000 on mine but that may be 100k longer than average because I optimize regen braking whenever possible. Living in Houston they should not be totally rusted out. Go elsewhere.
     
    #10 rjparker, Jul 23, 2025 at 3:40 PM
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