StreetCreeper
New member
So my truck has had a death shake when the brakes are applied ever since I got it last month. Feels like I'm shooting a 50cal mounted machine gun on full-auto when I hit the brakes. My 7yr old daughter was even afraid to ride in the truck.
Anyways, after learning on the forum that this is common with 3rd gen brakes, I decided to take it to Les Schwab and have them inspect the brakes and possibly repair them if it wasn't too costly.
An hour later they told me I needed new calipers but everything else looked good underneath. They quoted me approximately $230.
When I questioned what was wrong with the calipers, they hemmed and hawed about pistons and blah blah blah causing the shaking.
I called bullshit and left.
I'm no mechanic, but I'm not a complete idiot either. I knew from being a member on this forum that it was most likely warped rotors and not bad calipers.
Since they couldn't answer my basic questions satisfactorily, I figured for the price of their BS brake job, I could buy the real parts AND the tools—and just do the proper job myself. No calipers—just pads and rotors.
Well I was wrong...sorta.
The parts and tools cost me $20 more than the brake job would have...and I was damn happy to pay it.
I went down and bought all the tools needed (including torque wrench and jack stands) for less than $100.
Replacement parts (including new caliper pins) was about $130 or so plus I picked up a can of PB, a can of brake cleaner, and some brake grease too.
The job took awhile (don't laugh) because I've never even taken a wheel off a car let alone replaced the brakes. So I was slow and methodical since this was a safety issue for not just my family and I, but also everyone else I share the road with.
I had to take the first wheel back off right after I remounted it because I realized that I had used the torque specs for the lug nuts—on the caliper bolts. I know it's only a difference of 7lbs but it matters to me.
3 hours later, the death wobble was gone and the brakes were smooth as a new car. No squeals, no rattles and no complaints.
So much for Les Schwab's bullshit inspection and $230 quote for new calipers.
Now I have the tools, knowledge and experience to do the brakes again in the future...especially since I'll be doing the TBU when these brakes wear down.
For anyone (like myself) who is not an experienced mechanic, but considering doing their own disc brake job—go for it. It's not difficult at all.
Also, one thing that I did find while doing the brakes, is what looks like a CV boot that is either torn or popped off.
I didn't see an easy fix while I was in there and I was pushed for time so I just left it and finished up the brakes.
What are my options for repair of the boot? Is this a critical piece that needs immediate repair? Or can it wait for a few weeks?
Anyways, after learning on the forum that this is common with 3rd gen brakes, I decided to take it to Les Schwab and have them inspect the brakes and possibly repair them if it wasn't too costly.
An hour later they told me I needed new calipers but everything else looked good underneath. They quoted me approximately $230.
When I questioned what was wrong with the calipers, they hemmed and hawed about pistons and blah blah blah causing the shaking.
I called bullshit and left.
I'm no mechanic, but I'm not a complete idiot either. I knew from being a member on this forum that it was most likely warped rotors and not bad calipers.
Since they couldn't answer my basic questions satisfactorily, I figured for the price of their BS brake job, I could buy the real parts AND the tools—and just do the proper job myself. No calipers—just pads and rotors.
Well I was wrong...sorta.
The parts and tools cost me $20 more than the brake job would have...and I was damn happy to pay it.
I went down and bought all the tools needed (including torque wrench and jack stands) for less than $100.
Replacement parts (including new caliper pins) was about $130 or so plus I picked up a can of PB, a can of brake cleaner, and some brake grease too.
The job took awhile (don't laugh) because I've never even taken a wheel off a car let alone replaced the brakes. So I was slow and methodical since this was a safety issue for not just my family and I, but also everyone else I share the road with.
I had to take the first wheel back off right after I remounted it because I realized that I had used the torque specs for the lug nuts—on the caliper bolts. I know it's only a difference of 7lbs but it matters to me.
3 hours later, the death wobble was gone and the brakes were smooth as a new car. No squeals, no rattles and no complaints.
So much for Les Schwab's bullshit inspection and $230 quote for new calipers.
Now I have the tools, knowledge and experience to do the brakes again in the future...especially since I'll be doing the TBU when these brakes wear down.
For anyone (like myself) who is not an experienced mechanic, but considering doing their own disc brake job—go for it. It's not difficult at all.
Also, one thing that I did find while doing the brakes, is what looks like a CV boot that is either torn or popped off.
I didn't see an easy fix while I was in there and I was pushed for time so I just left it and finished up the brakes.
What are my options for repair of the boot? Is this a critical piece that needs immediate repair? Or can it wait for a few weeks?
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