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Brakes already!?!?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Prigirl, Jul 8, 2019.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    No significant difference. This is for a 2010 Honda Pilot front brake:

    upload_2019-7-16_7-47-35.png

    And 2010 Toyota Prius front brake:

    upload_2019-7-16_7-49-46.png

    Yes, those are 4th gen thicknesses. I've attached some info:
     

    Attached Files:

    #41 Mendel Leisk, Jul 16, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2019
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I've seen that happen back in the old days of drum brakes. But in this case, it wouldn't provide a reason for all 4 brakes to have worn down.
     
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  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I was just responding narrowly to the idea that it would 'loosen' anything.
     
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  4. artie

    artie Member

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    My Gen 2 needed brakes all around at 230,000 miles, new shocks at 245,000 miles. Amazing! My current Gen 4, 2016 at 71,000 miles has barely worn pads, etc. I cannot imagine why you would need brakes at so low mileage. Seems to me to be a reason to seek out the Toyota Regional Rep (if there is such a thing.) It ain't right.
     
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  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    As mentioned upthread, brakes are funny. They are very exposed to everything the road can kick up, and extreme friction and heat are their actual job.

    They can last a super long time and hardly ever need replacement. They can also develop minor, easily correctable if caught, conditions that will wear them out before you know it, if not caught and corrected. Happened to me in my Gen 1. That's why I am much more systematic about checking them now.

    The secret to hardly ever having to replace them ... is regularly to inspect them.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    We're just over 50k miles and front pads are around 6 mm remaining, roughly 50%. A lot of around town driving. Car's been on the road since November 2010: maybe time is part of the equation?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you live in paradise
     
  8. Prigirl

    Prigirl Junior Member

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    Hi everyone! So sorry for the lack of updates but it mostly because of lack of news. I decided to follow advice on this thread and get ahold of Toyota to kind of raise the level on this. After what everyone was saying it really didn't make sense and also the fact that I found my paper work from the pervious service inspection on the car and the brakes were perfect. Perfect to bad in around six months?
    After calling Toyota they got ahold of my dealership who had me bring the car in after speaking to the manager of the service department. All along I told them that it was not really the issue of replacing the brakes but what had caused this? They kept the car for two days and gave me a loaner. Now supposedly they are going to send me more detail in email, which I will share on here, but for some unknown reason and as best as they can tell the rotors started rusting about 2 or 3 months ago. The rust coming down caused the other parts to stick that caused the wear on the brakes. This happened on all four brakes, but not as bad on the right back and front brakes but there was still damage. They replaced everything and they are sending the parts back to Toyota for evaluation. I hope this helps others, because perhaps there are defective rotors on other people's vehicles as well. They also checked the car bumper to bumper to make sure everything else was well before the 36K is up (it still has less then 34 on it currently).
    I am really grateful to all of you for your insight and advice. Thank you everyone. (y)
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    everything free?
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no pics?:unsure:
     
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  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Thanks!!

    Interesting - "caused the other parts to stick" - has me thinking what? Calipers or pins? We wait for TOYOTA's answer.
     
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  12. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    The old wallet flush! Radiator flush, brake system flush, muffler flush, blinker or headlight fluid flush. They all leave you with a clean wallet.
     
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  13. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    This sounds to me like a cover-up for the original ruse.
    Especially if the owner had to PAY for the work done.

    I bet that nothing was referred to Toyota and there never will be an "answer" from them.

    About the only way their story would make sense is if the car was parked at the beach, in such a place that the wheels were covered in salt water for a few hours each day for a few weeks.
     
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  14. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    Good detective work Sam...
     
  15. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    My guess might not be right but my BS detector went off when I read that post.

    And having been scammed a few times myself in my younger years, the detector is pretty sensitive........and usually right.
    (y)
     
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  16. Prigirl

    Prigirl Junior Member

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    I didn't get any pics because they came to get my car and traded me a loaner. I was never there when the wheels were off. If there are any pics I will share when/if I get the email from them.
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    was it all covered under warranty?
     
  18. Prigirl

    Prigirl Junior Member

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    I did actually notice a jutting sensation when applying the brakes at a good speed (like when someone who pulled out in front of me while I was going about 50mph). I do think there was something going on with them but they feel better and I didn't notice that feeling when I did a little test brake after picking the car back up. I'm going to follow up if I don't hear anything and I still have an open case with Toyota about the car so if they don't reply I can follow up. I didn't end up needing to pay anything and my car is behaving again so I am happy. I am also still really grateful because I would have just replaced the brakes and been out the money if you all had not given me the helpful input. So whether a scam or a real situation I feel like I came out ahead thanks to you guys. ;)
    Nope, I live in Ohio and no where near a beach so no salt water here. The only salt the car sees is in the winter from the roads as I mentioned. I did actually notice a jutting sensation when applying the brakes at a good speed (like when someone who pulled out in front of me while I was going about 50mph). I do think there was something going on with them but they feel better and I didn't notice that feeling when I did a little test brake after picking the car back up. I'm going to follow up if I don't hear anything and I still have an open case with Toyota about the car so if they don't reply I can follow up. I didn't end up needing to pay anything and my car is behaving again so I am happy. So whether a scam or a real situation I feel like I came out ahead thanks to you guys. ;)
     
  19. Prigirl

    Prigirl Junior Member

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    Yes it was. They said they were sending the parts back to Toyota.
     
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wonderful, congrats!(y)