Rear Discs, Pads & Maybe Shoes..

[2912pwil]

I've an 08 Avensis 2.2D TR with 75k on't clock.. this might just raise a smile/eyebrow amongst members... This model of Avensis has separate parking drums/brake-shoes.

Drives fine. At MoT (passed, last week) but Mr T advised lipped rear discs, rear pads 85% worn and needed new Discs & Pads (fair enuf..), and the parking brake lever travels too far - yeah, I knew..

But not urgent.. so I got some estimates...all fully fitted with VAT..

Kwik-fit when having "free brake test" done - £288, then when I 'phoned up to check £295 & they told me there were no separate brake shoes on my car (! Sigh..) Told me rear pads were not that worn .. (err so why did Mr T..) but rear discs were worn

Mr T in Berkshire £220 (hey, not bad!)

Mr Clutch £174:95 Ooerrr sounds too cheap..

Local independent Berkshire tyre shop I trust - £201:60, shoes £117:60 but less if at same time...

Local independent in Highlands of Scotland (I have to go there from time2time).. £229:55 with shoes.. Less if shoes not needed..

Think I'll do the Scottish one..

Also wondered what members views were on how much wear/lipping was OK on rear or any other discs...

Cheers!

[t-spiritpete]

Hi mate, firstly the handbrake shoes rarely wear much as they are only used when parked unles they have been binding.

The wear allowed on the discs is normally 10% so if the disc is 10 mm when new then 9mm would be the limit of wear even though most discs are worn more than this when changed. The brake pads are allowed 80% wear and so a new pad normally 10mm of friction material would be due for changing when they are worn down to 2mm of friction material, personally I would change them at 3-4 mm.

Hope this helps .... Pete.

[gazza1286]

Even with that mileage the wear on the rear break shoes is likely to be minimal. The excessive travel on the handbrake can be taken up by adjustment. The cost to replace discs these days is relatively cheap. A set of branded discs (say Mintex) and pads for the rear is £75-£80 all in. These will be good for a further 50 -60K miles. They are simple to fit. Any competent mechanic could do both sides in less than an hour.

What your paying therefore is a sizable mark-up on the price of the parts plus an hours labour (if not more).

It is a false economy to swap pads and discs separately - The lipping on the discs isn't really the issue - the overall thickness of the discs is the most important - this is set at 23mm. The lipping is sometimes deceptive as part of it is a build up of corrosion which gives the impression that the wear is greater than it actually is.

I would take what Mr T says with a pinch of salt especially if other garages are saying the pad wear isn't excessive.

[pault38]

As above get someone else to look at them, i would suggest that by 75k the rears would of been changed, i did mine a month ago and the rear pads were down to the rivets at 63k ie metal on metal. i would suggest that mr t has seen the lipping and thought he could make a quick buck cos i dont think any pads would last 75k, i was lazy leaving mine that long and my last mot tester was lazy for not looking closely six months ago on my mot....that said it is often quite difficult to see the condition the pads are in unless the wheel is removed which is not part of the mot.

[pault38]

As for the high hand brake, i've owned mine from new and it left the factory with a high handbrake the way toyota set it. The shoes should be in good nick as they are only used on the handbrake itself. I was very wary removing my rear discs as i'd read stories on here about them falling apart on removal but bar a small amount of dust they looked like they'd just come out of the box so unless the previous owner has been doing lots of handbrake turns they should be ok.

[Galad]

Mr T recommended new front discs (lipped) and pads on my 07 Avensis with 60k on the clock. Took it to my dependable indi trye depot and was advised that discs are fine and good for another 20-30k at least; new pads fitted for £55 all in.