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Rear brake worn, need advice about best option

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by kensiko, Apr 29, 2013.

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  1. kensiko

    kensiko Member

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    Hello,

    I'm looking to replace my rear brakes, the discs were a little rusty (I got the car a month ago) so I removed the brakes to check them. They were almost stuck, they were just never removed before and the pads are almost all worn-out.

    I checked prices and called Toyota after that. Toyota told me I should not buy other brakes than theirs, but prices are much higher. They also told me their brakes are semi-metallic, but on web stores it says it's supposed to be ceramic, so now I'm lost.

    I'm thinking of buying cheap semi metallic brakes and see what happens with my discs because for now it's not braking well at all when I used the parking brake pedal. I would like to keep the discs and un-rust them using new pads.

    I could also try this, really cheap:
    REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND METALLIC PADS FOR TOYOTA PRIUS - 2010 | eBay
     
    #1 kensiko, Apr 29, 2013
  2. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    In my experience new pads won't do squat towards removing rust from the discs.
    Put new discs in. You'll be glad you did.
     
    #2 css28, Apr 29, 2013
  3. kensiko

    kensiko Member

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    I don't want to spend too much money for the rear brakes for now, the discs are still acceptable if the pads were flat.
     
    #3 kensiko, Apr 30, 2013
  4. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Honestly you'd be better off from a safety and performance standpoint to get Autozone's cheapest pads and rotors and change both out. The friction characteristics of new pads on rusted rotors are probably no better than what you're experiencing now.
     
    #4 css28, Apr 30, 2013
  5. kensiko

    kensiko Member

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    #5 kensiko, Apr 30, 2013
  6. kensiko

    kensiko Member

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    Here are some picture after a 40 km run this morning (don't forget I checked the brakes this week-end and used a sandpaper with my drill on the discs).
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    #6 kensiko, Apr 30, 2013
  7. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I bet they look worse on the backside (behind the splash shield).
     
    #7 css28, Apr 30, 2013
  8. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    Base on the pictures, you can have the disc turned and save your money.
     
    #8 bedrock8x, Apr 30, 2013
  9. kensiko

    kensiko Member

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    Yes they do.
     
    #9 kensiko, Apr 30, 2013
  10. kensiko

    kensiko Member

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    Is it better this option or buy cheap discs? They are 20$ each where I found them. I don't know if the latter would be easier to rust.
     
    #10 kensiko, Apr 30, 2013
  11. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    If you can get them so cheap, $20 ea., replace them. Turning would cost $10-$15 each.
     
    #11 bedrock8x, Apr 30, 2013
  12. kensiko

    kensiko Member

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    Anybody knows about the "Prime choice auto parts" store ? The best prices I've found is from there, for brakes or discs.
     
    #12 kensiko, Apr 30, 2013
  13. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Is this typical for the salt belt?
     
    #13 Former Member 68813, May 1, 2013
  14. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    A little early in terms of years, but yes.
    My daughter had her car at college where it sat for a couple of weeks at a time and I had to replace the front rotors @ 3 years and 22,000 miles.
     
    #14 css28, May 2, 2013
  15. kensiko

    kensiko Member

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    the rust seen appeared rappidly after I washed the car, before that they were pretty because as said I cleaned them with a sandpaper.

    I'm still not convinced to replace them, I think they might get better over time, they don't stick anymore now after using the handbrake.
     
    #15 kensiko, May 2, 2013
  16. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    I though hand brake works with small inside drums rather than disks?
     
    #16 Former Member 68813, May 2, 2013
  17. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

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    How many miles do you have on your car? Normally, the front brake pads wear out first before the rear ones. But I've seen some wearing out at the same time. If you have power tools, use a metal brush to scrub it out and of course use a brake cleaner. BTW, I would go with ceramic pads though.
     
    #17 ImeanGreen, May 2, 2013
  18. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    That's one way that it's done (called drum-in-hat in the business) but on the Gen 3 Prius it's a mechanism that clamps the pads on the disk.
     
    #18 css28, May 3, 2013
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  19. kensiko

    kensiko Member

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    180000 km (112000 miles). Front brakes were replaced, I suppose (don't forget I got the car a month ago). I will check them later but they look better from the outside than the rear ones.

    I have a metal brush but not the cleaner, I will try to find one this week end. I'm looking to buy Bosch quietcats, price is good.
     
    #19 kensiko, May 3, 2013
  20. ImeanGreen

    ImeanGreen Prius v Five BP Brigade #236

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    When you say front brakes were replace, was that the pad or the pad and the disc? At that mileage, it's close to have the need of replacing the disc too. If the front disc has not been change, I would replace them now. If I were you, I'd do the disc and brake pads now for both front and rear. Why? You will have to work twice in a short period of time. Replacing it now will make you worry free for the next 60-70K miles if you plan to keep your prius and depending on how you drive your car. Nothing wrong with buying parts from ebay. I do the same to save $$$.
     
    #20 ImeanGreen, May 3, 2013
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