Hey guys,

Just had a question for you all. I have 27,000 miles on my 04 Ram. Lately, I've noticed squeeking from the front brakes when coming to a stop. I cleaned the brake dust, and it stopped squeeking, but the brakes don't feel as firm as before.

So, I'm thinking I need to get new pads. I called the Dodge dealer, they want $178 to replace the front pads. Then the guy says they usually machine the rotors to ensure a flush fit. That's another $298 for the front. Wouldn't you only need to machine the rotors if you felt shaking when braking?

My questions are:

1) Would you machine the rotors when replacing the pads?
2) Would you replace the back pads along with the front, or just the front?
3) For those of you that have replaced the pads, is there a big difference between OEM pads (offered by the dealer) and a 3rd party metallic product?

 

Well, let me see if I can answer your questions for you.

1.) I'd NEVER machine an OEM rotor, especially one from Daimler. They've been using softer metal compounds for a while and the rotors are crapola. Since the metal is softer and more easily warped by the heat...all you are doing is making the possibility of warped rotors worse. If you dont believe me, just do a search for all the warped/bad rotor threads on this forum and you'll see a big list. I'd look at slotted/drilled rotors before I'd ever consider putting another OEM rotor on any car/truck I buy from Dodge. You dont even need expensive aftermarket rotors...just stay away from the OEM's.

2.) Your front brakes do about 75% of your major stopping. Unless you have disc's all the way around like I do on my car, your rear drums should last quite a while longer then your front brakes. I'd have them checked, but you should have plenty of pad still on those rear brakes. Even if you do have discs all around, you should still be good on pad.

3.) There is a huge difference between OEM and aftermarket pads. The aftermarket pads are much better, less brake dust, and better quality material.

DO NOT put aftermarket brake pads on these OEM rotors....I guarantee you within 10k you will replace the rotor, if not sooner. I've seen it and read about it too often to know it will happen..

Also, replacing your front brakes and rotors is about a 5 hour job if you have no clue what you are doing, and about a 90 min job if you do. A Haynes manual would easily explain it to you, and trust me, you really can do this on your own.

For that $298 they wanted to charge you to machine the rotors, you could buy new rotors and pads and do it yourself. And probably still come back with change...

Drilled/Slotted rotors for your front wheels from Napa's online store = $65.49 a piece Rotors Link

AE Metallic Brake Pads set of 2 for both front wheels from Napa's online store = $68.99 Brake Pad Link

Now, that looks like roughly $140 for the rotors and $70 for the brakes...and then say you slap $20-40 for tax/shipping...or you call a local shop and pick them up. That's still only $250 at best.....

I think you'd be better served to go this route...

 

I just changed my brake pads yesterday. I bought HAWK ceramic pads for about $65.00
It was the EASIEST brake job I have ever done.
I was done in 2 hours and that included jacking and tire removal. the back brakes were fine.

Just remove two bolts and the caliper sllides right off the rotor.
Then remove the two retaining bolts, pull the caliper apart and swap out the pads
then slap it back on.

Then buy some gas with the money you save!

 

Thanks for the information, very informative. I do have discs all the way around. I live in an apartment, so its not really convenient to jack my truck up and work on it. I don't mind paying $135-$160 for someone to do the pads in 90 minutes.

Do you think there'd be much difference in having the dealer put on OEM pads or taking it to a shop and having them use another brand? Thanks again.

 

There's lots of shops that can do it for you, but the pricing is always going to be the thing. What you might consider doing, is calling a few shops and telling them what it is you want to do, and then go from there....

Also, if they said your rotors need machined, I would very seriously consider getting a second opinion by a non dealership shop. It could very well be it needs replaced. I would definitely want to make sure I'm not putting brand new brakes on a crappy rotor. All it will do is make your stopping ability worse, ruin the new brakes you just put on, and possibly/potentially cause you to have spend more money in just a few short months.

I realize I may sound like I am pushing for you to replace the rotors, but I just dont want to see you waste money and have to do this again in a few months. I had to get new tires after coming home from Florida. I had had new brakes put on my car and had had my rotors machined shortly before I went to Florida. We're talkin maybe 3500 miles total on the car from the time I had the brakes done to getting my new tires.

The tire shop refused to do any work on my car because the rotors were shot, the brakes were half worn....and the amazing thing...this was within a 4 month period. It royally sucked because my stepdad had spent like $300 to get all my work done. The shop wound up replacing everything because it was still under warranty, but the fact remains that I didnt know the rotors were machined instead of replaced.

Good luck man and just make sure you dont get taken for alot of money..

 

I appreciate it. I think the rotors are fine, they just like to sell you something you may not necessarily need. I am not hard on the brakes, don't tow much, and have never felt any fading or shaking when braking. But I can say this, if the rotors (by some act of God) do need to be replaced, it'll **** me off. Thanks for the info!

 

sandiegohemi,

I know it seems like a lot up front, but I have found most often that it is worth the money to replace the rotors with aftermarket replacement OEM's if money is an issue, and ceramic pads. In the long run the overall braking system will last longer and be far more balanced than using the original rotors. The ceramic pads are more fade resistant and the dust if any (it depends on your driving style) is far less. That means less corrosive damage to your wheels. JMHO.