The result of a thousand dollar brake job at 23K miles

[Dianna]

You got screwed by your dealer. I'm sorry to hear that. I think it is worth a call to Toyota corporate to at least complain about the dealer.

Normally the brakes should last out to about 50-75k miles. And typical brake prices for either axles with a re-surface of the rotors is around $200-300 depending on dealer. It's very unlikely that you had worn out the pads or rotors unless you were out actively racing the 4Runner or driving similar to that. I use mine very hard and the pads lasted to 50k miles. Probably could have lasted a bit longer.

What is also frustrating is that Toyota has two different sets of brake pads. The OEM ones that they come with are semi metalic pads that are usually both long lasting and very quiet. The "customer pay" replacement pads that toyota puts on are ceramic pads. And they make noise. I have them on mine and have been back in twice so far. And will keep going back until the dealer fixes them. I'm guessing I'll eventually make the dealer put the original type of pad back on. 04465AZ100 is the part number for the cheap ceramic pads most dealers throw on. 0446560320 is the part number for the pads it came with.

You're dealer needs to fix your brakes. For everyone else - also be careful of counterfeit brake pads. Chinese import pads are often asbestos and they'll sell them as OEM pads. There's a warning from Toyota that has details on how to identify counterfeit pads. Basically the rivets look different and the pad surface visually looks a bit different. Boxes are practically identical.

Thanks Jetboy, I just looked at the receipt, sure enough, brake pad part numbers are 04465-AZ100, price for those was $55.99

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Post #13 in the following thread reiterates what jetboy said:

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-...oaded-calipers-pads.html?highlight=0446560320

 

[nevada]

Car dealership service depts. LOVE brake jobs. The skill level required to perform this work is just above that of a lube tech, so his cut is less than an ASE tech. Not saying ASE techs at dealers never do brake work, just saying dealers like to give this work to a lower paid novice. More $$$ stay in the dealers wallet.

not if you want them done correctly. sure, any monkey can just throw pads/rotors on. but a quality job is more than that.

as to the cost, I agree with what jetboy said. I do just over $200 for new pads, resurfaced rotors, and labor. 2 year warranty. with rotors, it will be $310-350 depending on the vehicle.

as to this thread, if they agreed to the $1k price for the job, then that is on them. whether its gouging or not. BUT, the job should have been done correctly, and clearly it was not.

 

[Dianna]

Truck was dropped off at 8am yesterday and my parents were given a rental. They kept it overnight and I'll update when they pick it up today. I just don't understand how a brake job can take 4 visits, with an overnight stay. Hopefully it's fixed this time. Definitely time to contact Toyota corporate if they don't reimburse them part of the bill.

 

[Zhaicne]

At 23k, the dealer claimed that the front and rear brakes needed replaced on my parents 2016 4R, with rotors, at a cost of over 1k. They said that it was due to them driving on a dirt road, funny for a vehicle advertised to "conquer the off-road." After having the brakes replaced, they began squeaking, dealer claimed the backing plate was rubbing, that was trip number two. Brakes were still squeaking, so it was taken back again for trip number 3. This is the result of three trips, and 1k paid to the dealership:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKuXg2wvsuQ&feature=youtu.be

They have another appointment in the morning, beyond frustrating.

I also live in NE Ohio. I have had good luck at two different Toyota Dealerships I've been too here. What is the name of the Toyota dealership you went to, to be on the lookout?

 

[Dianna]

I also live in NE Ohio. I have had good luck at two different Toyota Dealerships I've been too here. What is the name of the Toyota dealership you went to, to be on the lookout?

Classic Toyota in Mentor. My parents purchased their last few vehicles from them, and they won't be back.

 

[Bugser]

Xtremluck, I'm sure you were attempting to make a contribution to a post about an issue with the dealer, but not sure what that has to do with fixing your own rig. In fact, I do EVERYTHING to my own vehicles, including brakes, so I know what a scam this price gouging was, and I also know that it's not that difficult to do a brake job correctly. Believe it or not, many people don't care to do their own repairs, nor do most people even have the tools to do their own repairs. Would you tell your mom/grandma/sister to go do her own brake job? Doubt it. And besides all that, I can't imagine driving around next to a bunch of people that learned how to do their own brake job in an hour and a half.
My quote to "conquer the off-road" is from Toyota's advertising for the 4Runner, and Toyota's BS reason for it needing brakes is because it's driven a short distance on a dirt road. I think most people understood this from my post My parents, like 99% of the people that own 4Runners, are not driving it off-road. Nobody deserves to be flamed for taking their car to the dealership for repairs.

You go [MENTION=3098]Dianna[/MENTION] !!!!

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Another example why you should NEVER go to a stealership. Top of the line calipers, pads and rotors from Rockauto will run you $275 total. I can do both sides in under 1.5 hours, 1 hour if I'm rushing it. At a generous $125/hr shop labor rate, this job should be no more than $500.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

And besides all that, I can't imagine driving around next to a bunch of people that learned how to do their own brake job in an hour and a half.
.

Similarly, I'm scared to death driving around next to a bunch of people who don't have the slightest clue how to do their own car repairs. Their life is turn the key and go. Call AAA when thing f'up.

 

[nglayton]

My Experience.........no dealer involved

I replaced the front and rear brake pads. 92264 miles on the original pads.
I still had room left before any scraping so I could have easily gotten another 2-3k out of them.

It took me less than 1 hour per wheel, really quick and easy. It was more like 40 minutes per side on the front, 1/2 hour per side for the rear. Three hours tops to do all four.

Parts used for my 2011 TE:
04465-60320 Front Brake pad set $42.12
04466-60140 Rear Brake pad set $44.85

A new set of 4 OEM rotors is about $250
Having the rotors resurfaced at a machine shop is 1/2 that. Even cheaper if the have the machine in house.

There was no need to buy rotors, shim kits, new springs or anything but the pads.
I always just re-use all the old gear, you can easily tell if one is damaged. Only change to that would be if the rotors were scraped/warped beyond repair or you lost a pin, shim or spring. In my case all the rotors and misc parts where good, so I left them alone.
My total cost <$87 and 3 hrs time on the weekend.


OP: Cost of parts listed above + 3 hours (inflated) of shop time @$140/hr, should put you around $750 for the job. I bet most shops can do it in 2 hours

Not sure how they got it to $1K..........

 

[yardsale]

Strikes me as odd that the OP comes here complaining again about being taken advantage of by a dealer. First it was brake pins, now a brake job.

Either she and her parents are being taken advantage of, or her dad really does drive his vehicle under some demanding conditions and the dealer is correct to replace all the worn parts.

I am sure there is her story, the dealers story, with the truth somewhere in the middle. Like in most cases.

 

[Dianna]

Strikes me as odd that the OP comes here complaining again about being taken advantage of by a dealer. First it was brake pins, now a brake job.

Either she and her parents are being taken advantage of, or her dad really does drive his vehicle under some demanding conditions and the dealer is correct to replace all the worn parts.

I am sure there is her story, the dealers story, with the truth somewhere in the middle. Like in most cases.

My post is about a brake job that took 4 times to do correctly, and why I included a video of the vehicle. And I appreciate members coming here to share the stories that they experience with their vehicles. If you think I just came her to complain, don't read my posts and move on. And if you think pins should cost $90 to be greased at 5,000 miles, a brake job should take 4 times to be done correctly, and this should be expected from some demanding driving by my 80 year old father, I have no response to that stupidity.

 

[N6WRV]

Truck was dropped off at 8am yesterday and my parents were given a rental. They kept it overnight and I'll update when they pick it up today. I just don't understand how a brake job can take 4 visits, with an overnight stay. Hopefully it's fixed this time. Definitely time to contact Toyota corporate if they don't reimburse them part of the bill.

Subaru has a hotline for feedback/complaints about Subaru dealers. A form for written feedback/complaints is included in Subaru's owners manuals. When it was serviced under warranty, Subaru HQ mailed us a detailed survey / questionaire about our experience with this dealer.

 

[gainman]

How in the hell did they let it leave the dealership making that noise? I would file a complaint based on that alone

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