Brakes again!

[Krys33]

I have a 2002 PT Cruiser and I love it except that I am having to replace my front brakes every 11,000 miles. Is anyone else having this problem? I just replaced the rear brakes but they are(were)the orginals and my Cruiser has approx. 33,000 miles on it.

[quicksilverdon]

Welcome to the Forums, Krys.
That's absurd, unless you have left foot on the brake, right on the gas. I have 73,000+ miles on mine, replaced the fronts at about 30,000 miles, and have not needed rears. I went to Raybestos ceramic pads (PartsAmerica.Com) and they seem to last better, and NO DUST.

[SRG]

I did the same thing as Don, only I did it at 25,000 miles and I now have 43,000. The Raybestos ceramic pads do seem to be worth it, so far.

Are you deciding that you need brakes? Or, is a shop telling you this? Unless there is something wrong with you car, or you do drive with your left foot on the brake, there is no reason your brakes should be going that quickly. If you are relying on a shop, you might want to get another opinion or pull off a tire yourself and see for yourself.

Scott

[quicksilverdon]

quote:Originally posted by SRG


Are you deciding that you need brakes? Or, is a shop telling you this? Unless there is something wrong with you car, or you do drive with your left foot on the brake, there is no reason your brakes should be going that quickly. If you are relying on a shop, you might want to get another opinion or pull off a tire yourself and see for yourself.

Scott

Scott has a good point. Easy way to tell - at that rate of wear, your wheels should always be FILTHY with brake dust. Could be that the pads are "hanging" and not retracting, but a good mechanic should look for that and correct it.

[Krys33]

Thanks for the advice. I do not drive with my foot on the brake. I am not THAT blonde! I will have to try the brake pads that both quicksilverdon and SRG mentioned, hopefully I won't need the for a while.
I am not relying on the shop to tell me when I need new brakes, the first 11,000 miles the brake light was on so I took it to the dealer and they told me the pads and rotors needed to be replaced which they did at no charge they classified it as early wear and tear. But the second time at 22,474 they did not offer me the same deal. This time the reason I knew they were going was the noise, you all know the squeal. I took it to a different shop (non dealer) and had the pads replaced and the rotors spun, we'll see how long these last I have about 9000 miles on them so far!
Once at the dealer the shop manager told me that it is the design of the car and that is why there are problems with brakes. But I am sure he would not mention that if the head of the company were standing there.

[quicksilverdon]

You didn't comment on the dust. IF your brakes are wearing that fast, there has to be lotsa black dust on the wheels.
At least you got the first set free.

[Jimbo]

If you have to pay for the second set> go with ceramic,
Raybestos or Napa.[?]

[Krys33]

quicksilverdon- Yes there is a lot of brake dust which means more cleaning for me too! You've gotta keep those rims shiny!

Jimbo- I am already on set #2, I'm hoping the most recent set lasts but when they do go I am definately going for the ceramic pads, I have also heard that they don't sqweek, is that true?

Maybe it has something to do with the dry hot air where I live? [:I]

[quicksilverdon]

When the time comes for set 3, the ceramics will eliminate the dust. Many squeaks are dust-caused, so that should stop, too. Don't see environment having a relation to break wear...

[Krys33]

quote:Originally posted by quicksilverdon

When the time comes for set 3, the ceramics will eliminate the dust. Many squeaks are dust-caused, so that should stop, too. Don't see environment having a relation to break wear...

Thanks again quicksilverdon!