Brake replacement question

[kkister1492]

While discussing hybrids and other fuel efficient automobiles, one person reported that he had read in an auto advice column that you can not replace the Prius' brakes at home and replacing brake rotors would cost $15,000.

Is any of this true?

[jayman]

That *has* to be a joke. Right?

For kicks I called my local dealer and they quoted: 2 front rotors, caliper rebuild kit, new pads, around $400.

If somebody told me that my Prius would cost $15 g's for a brake job, I'd give them a comment that rhymes with "duck shoe."

[kkister1492]

I told him that couldn't be right but he swore by it - suppose to have something to do with the regenerative braking system being connected to the rotor and so it is a big deal to replace them.

I was sure that I'd read somewhere on the forum that some of you have replace your own brake pads/shoes. He was pretty adamant about it all, though. Said it was someone like 'Click 'n Clack'.

Said I'd check with the 'real' experts on the Prius.

[jayman]

Well, I think it's just ironic that a person who in all probability has never looked under the hood of a Prius is telling you how incredibly much the front rotors cost.

Maybe the rotors from a Boeing 777 or an Airbus A340?? That I could see, you're talking about what, a $100 million airplane?

I would still use the classic comeback that rhymes with "duck shoe" and leave it at that. This guy is a boob.

Look, if it means proving the point, and this guy isn't a homicidal stalker or something equally dangerous, drive him to your local Toyota dealer. Drag him to the parts/service counter and ask them how much parts/labor for the front rotors.

If he still believes "Slick and Slack" or whatever the h*** their names are, then this guy is a boob. Maybe hook him up to the special HV battery charger the dealer has.

[efusco]

The regenerative braking system is part of the hybrid system and thus under warranty for 8yr/100k miles. But, as mentioned, the brakes themselves are standard...disks and drums....

I'd tell him that BECAUSE of the regen. braking the time b/w needing new brakes is dramatically extended b/c the friction brakes get very little use thanks to the kinetic energy being recaptured by the MGs.

Your friend probably misunderstood something in the article. But, as seen in the 2 warped articles posted here earlier today, there is a lot of fear, ignorance, and prejudice printed by so-called 'journalists', so it may have said something like that.

[kidtwist]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman\";p=\"73740)</div>

If he still believes \"Slick and Slack\" or whatever the h*** their names are, then this guy is a boob.  
[/b]

Click and Clack (the car talk guys on NPR) are great. They've generally been hybrid supporters (the Prius gets their "awesome" rating). They've also been very critical of Detroit's tendency to build ever bigger and more powerful SUVs.

Here's their web page for anyone interested: Car Talk Web Page

[rick57]

I'll do that $15,000 brake job! Pick me! Me,me!


BTW, I have only done a brake job on 1 Prius, an 03 and it still had plenty of pad (was a front brake job) left. The reason for the work was that the pad material had come loose from the metal backing plate. It had about 77k on them.

[prius mdt]

Dang Rick, I was scrolling down to get my bid in on the job - you beat me to it!

I'll do it for $14,500.00 - that's my final offer. Oh yeah - and I can have it done by lunch time !!!

[tochatihu]

I remember reading on one of these boards that the NHW20 brakes required a THHT to bleed the hydraulic system. If this is accurate it might have started the story. Do our assembled experts agree that it's needed?

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kidtwist\";p=\"73748)</div>

Click and Clack (the car talk guys on NPR) are great. [/b]

Mark:

Then it sounds like this guy that kkister1492 knows is either making things up, is completely full of s***, or has forgotten to take his meds.

His opinions are his own business - that's what the Bill of Rights is for - but when he goes around spreading bulls*** like that, he's a boob.

We're all entitled to opinions, but my Dad warned me a long time ago about opinions and their similarity to sphincter's