Hello everyone,
Just took my 4Runner in for a service at 49K miles. The dealership called me and let me know that I need to have my brake pads replaced in the front. The thing is that I replaced the pads at 30K miles. Am I crazy for thinking that brake pads that only last for 20K miles are a joke or is this pretty standard for 4Runners? I would say that I don't drive extremely fast nor do I do a lot of heavy breaking. Any information that anyone can give me would be extremely helpful.

Thanks!

Did they tell you how thick they were? If your driving habits did not change, then one would have to assume they should last just as long as the first set. If you used the same brake pad, and the rotors had a good flat surface on them.(preferably, machined).

If you are second guessing the service department's recommendation, decline the repair and check them out for yourself at home. Then if you see they need to be changed, take it back for the brakes. If not, you need to discuss the matter with the service manager.

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This is me at 6,000 miles.

HI 96dcmss,
The invoice said that they were 2.5 mm thick and they were worn down to 20% remaining. I declined the repair and am going to take a look at them myself and go from there. I thank everyone for their replies and information!

What pads did you use when you replaced them? Do anything to the rotors? If they are 2.5mm, you need a brake job. Let us know what you find.

96dcmss is right "IF" your pads have only 2.5mm left they need to be changed.

That possibility just seems far fetched to me. My original pads on my 04 went over 70K before I changed them. They could have gone longer since they had about 25% of the pad left.

There are members on the org that have gotten over 100k on their original pads. Other members like Koz change their pads every 20k because they are hard on the brakes or just perfer to know they always have a great set of brakes.

I would recommend using nothing but OEM pads even if you do it yourself. $48.76 for OEM front pads. See link below.
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...05&catalogid=1

Take one of your front wheels off snap a pic like icantsee and let us take a look.

Also you did not mention what year and trim line 4Runner you have. This is important since the SE models have a 13.3 inch front rotor and take different pads than the SR5 & Limited which have a 12.6 front rotor.