Avensis Tourer Brake Pads And Discs

[T17-TOY]

Hi All

My 2.0 D4d tourer (2011) needed its front brakes pads/discs and rear pads replacing at 29,000. This seems really low mileage for the discs and pads. My two previous cars which were heavier and faster got 60,000 out of the front discs and 90,000 out of the rear. My driving style hasn't changed nor has my journey which is predominantly dual carriageway, so the miles rack up with little use of the brakes etc.

Any body else had the front discs replaced at such a low mileage?

Apparently Toyota would only replace the discs under warranty at less than 22,000 miles use.

Thanks

[+robster+]

has your car got any traction control system or esp etc that applies the brakes without your knowledge when g forces are reached.

just a thought

my old 07 reg transit with esp or something used to eat discs and pads due to this every 15k miles ( twice a year)

albeit front wheel drive vans are generally heavy on front brakes and tyres

[T17-TOY]

Hi Yes it has - but I don't notice the dashboard light coming on very often - especially when compared to my older estate (skoda) which was very lively in that dept. 15k is awful though

[Heidfirst]

did it really need them or did they just recommend them? ;)

Given that many garages only see a car once a year now I find that they tend to suggest things before they are actually needed.

[T17-TOY]

I was worried about being conned - and did try and argue my case. I did however keep the old discs and they were 3mm worn with a lip. The lip was rubbing on the rear of the brake pads. My understanding is that 3mm was the max wear before replacing.

[jumbojake]

sounds odd doesn't it. It might be that the original pads were too hard... heard this before.... but only when people buy cheap replacement pads that are a mismatch fr the discs. But yours is a new car, so I'd expect them to be well matched.

[+robster+]

smaller diameter brakes on this car compared to your previous cars, that dont last as long?

[Valvematic]

Have you owned the car from new? wondering if someone else may of treated badly in earlier years.

Another thought none of your brakes are binding are they? I know on the Honda's they used to service the calipers.

[T17-TOY]

Hi

The car had 4000 miles on it when purchased, so maybe some heavier use at that point. My OSF wheel always got more brake dust that the NSF, but when I checked the disc wear it was the same so maybe not binding too much. I had asked Mr T to check but they said no problem (its no where near as bad with the new discs/pads).

I've also checked the disc diameter etc. compared to my older heavier and faster car - they were smaller discs.

I have a feeling that they discs are perhaps manufactured to wear more?

[tubaman]

I have it on good authority its all about the pad material used these days, not allowed to use asbestos etc etc - the replacement seems to wear out both pads and discs much sooner - my car, a T180, has done 80K miles and I'm on my 3rd ? set from memory

[Druid Boy]

I would be gutted to be changing discs after only 29k but its one of those 'it depends' situations. Years ago I had a 1.8 TD Escort Estate as a company car and I drove it like someone else was paying the bill - because they were. It was serviced every 6k miles and needed front tyres, discs and pads every 6k miles. So, what's my point? It depends on how you use the car - and the Avensis is a big, heavy car and consequently takes a bit of stopping.

I still think 29k is rubbish though.

[Merlin 01]

Hi all…

Very interesting as I took my Avensis T4 in on Friday for its 30k service, to be phoned up and told my rear pads are at 3 mm and the discs are grooved, I do 400 miles a week on the A1 nice and steady driving style. They said the fronts were at 7mm, so I checked the previous VSR from 20k service which said they were all at 6mm all round and they were all ok, so 10k of duel carriageway driving in 7 x months can take 3mm off the rears?? And add 1mm to the fronts. When challenged again they said there could have been some grit or dirt in them and the technicians were all using different gauges, so now they all use the same ??!!

After 20 mins of debating, Cost £220 which I haven’t budgeted for, so I said I will wait I while, the lip feels the same as the front and you can barely feel it with your finger nail, so I am going to check and get a second opinion at a completely different dealership and see what they say, my last old shape Avensis went 45k before it even needed new pads, and in 20 years of motoring I have never put new discs on a car at 29-30k?

Still not sure why rears would go first I always thought it was the fronts that wear the quickest, still not sure about the electronic handbrake either if it has something to do with it; can it cause gentle binding etc any thoughts?

[+robster+]

lol the "technicians" use different guages

a millimeter is still a millimeter whichever guage you use.

sounds as if they are under pressure to bring in after service work

[Merlin 01]

Ok went to 2nd dealer on Saturday, they took the wheels off, checked the electronic handbrake, checked the brakes, they said "they are all fine, there is plenty of life left in them" !!!! i might be giving the 1st dealer a call ??

[Druid Boy]

Did you get anything in writing from dealer number 2? Also be aware that dealer number 1 may claim that, as service intervals are so long, they recommend the change because the average motorist doesn't check their tyre pressures never mind their brakes.