Brake pads and Rotors?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by KRDucky, Apr 6, 2026.

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  1. KRDucky

    KRDucky Junior Member

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    So I need new pads and rotors and the dealership is quoting me $440 per axel for parts not including labor.

    What aftermarket pads and rotors do really recommend? I was considering PowerStop Z17 Geomet rotors and ceramic pads.
     
    #1 KRDucky, Apr 6, 2026
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Are you doing the work yourself or bringing the parts to a mechanic????

    FWIW; if your bringing the car to a mechanic; let them handle the parts - so they can warranty the work. If you bring them bad parts and the brakes start squealing or the rotors warp - your paying them to do the job again. It wasn't their parts that failed......
     
    #2 BiomedO1, Apr 6, 2026
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  3. KRDucky

    KRDucky Junior Member

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    The dealership reps recommended it bring my own parts as their parts were ~3-4x the actual cost so I picked up Akebono proact pads and Bosch QuietCast premium coated rotors for less than the dealership will charge me for labor on one axle
     
    #3 KRDucky, Apr 13, 2026 at 12:32 AM
  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    That's nice - still doesn't make the mechanic that does the job responsible for your bad parts......... Cheap parts are cheap for a reason. It's a gamble. That's why people buy name brand stuff, instead of no-name knock-offs. A mechanic will sell you parts that won't fail on them, so they don't have to do the job again for free.
     
    #4 BiomedO1, Apr 13, 2026 at 1:41 AM
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2026 at 1:46 AM
  5. KRDucky

    KRDucky Junior Member

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    Are you implying that Bosch and Akebono are cheap shifty parts brands? Because every parts dealer have spoken to (including the dealership) said the opposite. In fact the dealership approved of my selection. And justifying the 3-4x markup on dealership supplied parts is really hard to do when they themselves admitted they aren't Toyota brand parts. They informed me they were Dorman and Acdelco branded parts.
     
    #5 KRDucky, Apr 13, 2026 at 5:12 AM
  6. KRDucky

    KRDucky Junior Member

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    Also, when have I ever implied that I expect the mechanic to warranty my own supplied parts? They warranty their work not the parts. If they mess up doing an install, that's on them.
     
    #6 KRDucky, Apr 13, 2026 at 5:13 AM
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  7. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    You were crowdsourcing "what are good aftermarket auto parts"; this tells me you don't know. I've had mixed result with Bosh parts, in the past and I wouldn't call it top tier. That was when they were made in Germany; now most of it is made in China. I haven't worked in my dad's shop in 30 years; so have no idea if quality has gone up or down - but I can do the work myself, so it just screws up may weekend plans. I can tell you that if a part fails within warranty; we would never use that brand of part again. Bosh was one of those, when they were manufactured in Germany. But you can believe whatever you want - it's a free country.
    Most people don't see it that way and blame the mechanic for a bad job. I used to work in my dad's shop and people would do that all the time - claiming it was installed improperly; but somehow got more than 12K miles down the road. They would never win in small claims court, but it was a hassle to show up; because we make them initial the work-order, it was their parts and we were ONLY responsible for labor. We would actually refuse jobs like that, if we're busy - too much potential hassles.

    I'm not blaming you in any way, shape or form; just making you aware of the warranty risks your taking on. Your an adult; you can do whatever you want - within the parameters of the law. You don't need my permission.

    Peace......
     
    #7 BiomedO1, Apr 13, 2026 at 10:42 AM
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Are you sure you need rotors? Any issues, say pulsation? How do they look? Does your area of the “US” use road salt? Think I know the answer, but have you checked rotor thickness and runout?

    for pads and shims, OEM shouldn’t cost much more than $125 USD per axle.

    Addendum, checked on Toyota USA parts (for Foothills Toyota dealership, nearby for me, in Washington State), first two items on this page:

    upload_2026-4-13_8-29-2.png

    Also, spec for rotors in attached:
     

    Attached Files:

    #8 Mendel Leisk, Apr 13, 2026 at 11:02 AM
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2026 at 11:31 AM
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  9. KRDucky

    KRDucky Junior Member

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    South Texas. We have to deal with salty air and the corrosion caused by it. Specifically in the Corpus Christi area.
    As for the rotors, the 3 mechanics I had look at it. (I wanted 3 opinions) all said the rotors either had to be turned or replaced as they were as they put it, "glazed". Only one of them thought there was enough "meat" on the rotor to survive turning it.
    As for signs, I have had pulsing and skipping when coming to a stop coming off the highway.
    The last time I had a shop (in this case a toyota dealership) resurface (turn) the rotors (on my old 2006 Highlander) , those rotors warped within a week and I had to pay ~$600 for the second time in 2 weeks for new rotors and pads parts+labor and that dealership screwed me by putting semi-metalic pads on the new rotors. So I ended up replacing the pads and rotors again within 2 years.

    So, if given the option to resurface or replace, I pick replace. I like using RockAuto because I can usually get the exact same part number etc for a lower price that I would if I bought it at Oreilly or Autozone or Advanced Auto or Amazon. For example, the rotors and pads I purchased this time around cost at least double or more on Amazon and the other brick and mortar stores.

    The specific models I bought from RockAuto are:

    AKEBONO ACT1354B - $42.79

    AKEBONO ACT1184A - $48.79

    BOSCH 53011448 - $29.89/rotor

    BOSCH 50011484 - $22.89/rotor

    The Dealership wanted $550/axle for parts and labor or $250/axle if I brought my own parts.
     
    #9 KRDucky, Apr 13, 2026 at 2:05 PM
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Did you try going directly to the Parts Department?
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Apr 13, 2026 at 4:15 PM
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