Brake pad measurements at three dealers

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by root_root_user, Aug 19, 2018.

  1. root_root_user

    root_root_user Junior Member

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    I bought my 2010 Prius from a friend about five months ago. Yesterday I went for my first service at a Toyota dealership. Did a ATF exchange, changed oil and rotated tires. They also did a multi point inspection that said that front brake pads are at 4 mm and need replacement soon. At this point I decided to look over the previous service records and check the brake pad measurements at those multi point inspections. Here is what I found

    Dealer 1: 7/14/2016 - LF = 8 mm RF = 8 mm LR = 8 mm RR = 8 mm
    Dealer 2: 12/17/2016 - LF = 6 mm RF = 6 mm LR = 5 mm RR = 5 mm
    Dealer 2: 6/30/2017 - LF = 9 mm RF = 9 mm LR = 7 mm RR = 7 mm
    Dealer 1: 2/9/2018 - LF = 8 mm RF = 8 mm LR = 8 mm RR = 8 mm
    Dealer 3: 8/18/2018 - LF = 4 mm RF = 4 mm LR = 6 mm RR = 6 mm

    Now looking at these numbers, they are all over the place. I would understand if they were had a decreasing trend due to wear, but this seems weird. So I am wondering if the previous dealers did something wrong in the measurement or the new dealer did something wrong? Secondly, I find it hard to believe that brakes will wear 4 mm in 2700 miles of driving over 6 months. I am planning to get a second inspection done at an independent shop just to be sure.

    Did anyone else have similar experiences?
     
    #1 root_root_user, Aug 19, 2018
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I’ve had the same dealer show a similar pattern :cool:.

    I called them out on it;).

    But te best way to find out is to measure it yourself. One way the pads could wear down in a short mileage or period of time is if the slide pins stick. If they do, there will be premature wear:(.

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #2 Raytheeagle, Aug 19, 2018
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  3. root_root_user

    root_root_user Junior Member

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    Thanks for the response. I don't have the proper setup to measure out myself as I don't have a garage or the tools. Is there any way to visually inspect if the slide pins are sticking?
    Currently I am not experiencing any braking issues, so I will wait a couple of weeks to get a second inspection at an independent shop.
     
    #3 root_root_user, Aug 19, 2018
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  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You’ll need to pull the wheel in order to inspect ;).

    But if you see uneven pad wear, you’ll know the pins are an issue.

    If you do not have a setup, the second opinion is prudent :).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    #4 Raytheeagle, Aug 19, 2018
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Mechanics love to sell brake jobs
     
    #5 JC91006, Aug 19, 2018
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  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Some will eye ball the pads and guess the mm thickness left. It’s hard to differentiate 7mm vs 6mm that’s why it’s all over the place. You want the real thickness, take the pad off and use a $1.50 measure tool like a tweaser tool from michaels to get an accurate thickness.
     
    #6 Grit, Aug 19, 2018
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  7. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Sorry grid, which tool was that?
     
    #7 jzchen, Aug 20, 2018
  8. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    I never take my Prius to a dealer, so don't have this kind of data on any of our cars, but the scientist in me says you can't draw any conclusion from the data you have. Basically, you can't trust dealer #1. He reported 8mm on all four pads both visits that were 19 months apart. Probably just "eyeballed" it. Unless new pads were installed between the two visits to Dealer #2, you can't grow thickness back on to pads. Dealer #3 probably actually measured them, and I believe he actually got those numbers. I'd say fronts would wear faster than rears, which is another reason not to believe Dealer #2 who had rears 1-2mm thinner than fronts both times he measured them. Keep going to dealer #3 and get a series of measurements from the same place...
     
    #8 FuelMiser, Aug 20, 2018
  9. Jkan2001

    Jkan2001 Member

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    Some are probably measuring including the backing plate and some are not.
     
    #9 Jkan2001, Aug 20, 2018
  10. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    What’s wrong with that? It seems excessive to pull the brake pads out and measure them with calipers when they look perfectly good. I don’t.... is that the recommended procedure?
     
    #10 Rebound, Aug 20, 2018
  11. root_root_user

    root_root_user Junior Member

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    Thats what I am going to be doing too. Dealer #1 probably eyeballed it as you said or didn't do any kind of measurements at all. In the future, I may also start taking it to an independent mechanic because it is out of warranty and it would be cheaper to do so.
    Thanks for your inputs.
     
    #11 root_root_user, Aug 20, 2018
  12. root_root_user

    root_root_user Junior Member

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    I guess that would be fine. The reason for me posting was the inconsistent numbers at different times. Like others have said, they probably did an approximate eyeball measurement, so it is hard to tell apart 6 mm and 7 mm.
     
    #12 root_root_user, Aug 20, 2018
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