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replacing the original brake pads on a 2010 Prius after 96K

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by walter Lee, Aug 8, 2018.

  1. walter Lee

    walter Lee Hypermiling Padawan

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    finanlly replacing my brake pads and rotors on my 2010 Prius III after 95,600 miles ...
    The pads were squeaking at about 3 mph so I brought it to the Dealership.
    The dealership said my pads were worn and should be replaced
    The dealership said the rotors were rusty and should be replaced
    The dealership said the brake fluid was going bad and should be replaced
    so I okayed the work.

    Fyi - my mpg has steadily drop

    getting about 62 mpg in the summer on the original Yokohama Avid d33 over inflated at 50 psi using a scanguage II rarely running the AC driving a tad slower for longer distances

    getting about 52 mpg in the summer on the Michelin All Seasons Energy Savers at 44 psi without a scangauge II often running the AC driving a tad faster for shorter distances

    Walter
     
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    How much did they charge for the work performed?
     
  3. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    where was the rust on the rotors? we did pads on both of ours at 160k ..same rotors at 212k and 205k
     
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  4. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    sounds premature
     
  5. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    96k definitely seems early... Hmm
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If you suspect a correlation between the brake work and drop in mpg, chock the front, raise the rear, and see if the wheels are spinning semi-freely. With a good push they should continue to rotate at least one revolution. If they're dragging they likely screwed up the rear caliper piston orientation.
     
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  7. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    chances are the pins have been seized
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Right after a brake job? Dealership mechanics are fairly competent, have the repair manual info, the Toyota spec pin lube.

    OTOH, the rear caliper piston orientation is a little sneaky; it's mentioned in the Repair Manual, but it's pretty subtle statement.

    I don't think the Repair Manual does it justice: it says to orient the piston a certain way, full stop. In fact you need to orient it thus, ensure it stays thus during the reasembly, really pressure up the brake pedal to get the piston solidly seated thus (avoid using parking brake), then even test drive, then apply/release the parking brake several times, raise the rear and then check for excessive drag.

    In short, it's a finicky design, easily screwed up.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Aug 9, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2018
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    be careful not using much a/c, your battery life depends on it.
     
  10. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    I had a drop in MPG a few years ago....it was two things:
    Seized caliper
    Worn hub

    I replaced both myself.
     
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  11. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Got to say I would be leery of a brake job on a Prius. They would have to show me in the flesh it was bad and then I may think about it and get a second opinion/drink two quarts of whisky/forget about it/then trade it.:ROFLMAO::LOL: Have not had brakes done on any Prius or a brake flush. I am with Jimi on this one. Would be tempted to do it myself without a brake flush. Brakes would be easier than an oil change as I have no way to get under my Prius. Rotors, pads, and calipers could be easy except for the parking brake part.

    Or trade it. Too easy to screw up a brake flush and brake job on this car.

    Prius is the finest car ever made as well the highest quality/dependability, but it is also one of the most complicated ever made.
    Dealers are there to sell you stuff that you usually don't need. There are exceptions of course.

    BTW/they love to let the air out of your tires so you have premature tread separation and wear. Caught them doing 24PSI twice. AHs
     
    #11 ETP, Aug 17, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2018
  12. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Some real help BTW!!!!! Nice job.

    Part of your MPG problem is those Micky Mouse tires. I have moved on and will never go back. Keep the Yokohama mama updates coming ( I like the looks of those and the Pirelli).

    42 PSI is what I have used for years as I had the quit 50PSI do to stability on pot hole roads.

    Also 52MPG for rough jerky driving is about right at 39-42 PSI.
     
    #12 ETP, Aug 17, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2018
  13. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    My right great toe pin has seized
     
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