| Car brakes question for amateur/pro auto mechanics |
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2StepsFwd1StepBack
Full Member
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Location: Michigan
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| Car brakes question for amateur/pro auto mechanics |
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Hi all,
Took my 06 Taurus in for oil change and tire rotation, yesterday, and was told that sometime around spring, I will need new front disc pads. I replaced the pads, myself, over Christmas 2010. I realize that the way I drive impacts wear. But, all things being equal, is there a brand or store of which I should consider purchasing that, perhaps, are higher quality or more durable? The current pads were purchased from one of the "A" stores...either zone or advanced (can't remember).
Thoughts appreciated.
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Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:26 pm |
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eastmn
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Cash: $ 85.80
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Joined: 04 Apr 2010
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I worked for an Oldsmobile dealership back in my college days (early 1980s).
The better pads will usually have the early warning sensors which squeal to let you know that they're thin. The ceramic pads are even more expensive but are better as far as heat and wear (longer life).
Pads usually last me about a year, but I drive 40K miles per year (sales). Try to always do very light braking and never ride with foot on the brakes. Apply and release the brake two or three times to gradually stop the vehicle, which will allow them to breathe and remain cool. Heat will often warp the rotors (causes vibration when braking), where I usually just replace them instead of having them machined/turned (new are cheap).
I'm very particular about tires. I always buy the same height tire, to keep the odometer correct, but I prefer the widest tire possible for best possible grip, bite, footing. Wide tires are also very sexy (beefy).
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Last edited by eastmn on Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:29 pm |
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2StepsFwd1StepBack
Full Member
Cash: $ 13.25
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Joined: 31 Jan 2012
Location: Michigan
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Yes, wide tires would be sexier if my Taurus was a SHO. 
Alas, it is not. 
Thanks for responding. I have a Napa store near my house. Think I will check out ceramic pads from them.
wrt tires... I used tirerack.com for the first time when I bought my last set of tires. Will never go back to anything else...love that site! Best tires I've ever owned for the price (Kumho). And, there was an authorized dealer just around the corner from my house that installed them!
I keep jiving my 12 yo that if she wants her "own" car at 16, then she will inherit this beauty of a champagne colored Taurus with shift lever on the steering column! 
She hates me. 
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Tue Feb 07, 2012 11:32 pm |
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eastmn
Senior Member
Cash: $ 85.80
Posts: 414
Joined: 04 Apr 2010
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Thanks for the tip on the tire store. I'll make a note of it. If you need an expensive part, always look to ebay first. I bought a brand new $300 fuel pump for $15 a few years back (dealer closeout).
I was always very handy with car repairs until all of this electronic nightmare came out.
I'm most fond of the Tacoma PU lately, either the extended cab or crew cab.
Picture your daughter in this:
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Tue Feb 07, 2012 11:58 pm |
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2StepsFwd1StepBack
Full Member
Cash: $ 13.25
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Location: Michigan
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quote:
Originally posted by eastmn
I was always very handy with car repairs until all of this electronic nightmare came out.
Indeed. I, too, was much more hands-on with cars from 70s and 80s. My first car (in college) was a '78 Chevette (MT's car of the year believe it or not). I still remember sitting inside the engine compartment with a Chilton manual next to me giving the car a tune-up!
quote:
Originally posted by eastmn
If you need an expensive part, always look to ebay first. I bought a brand new $300 fuel pump for $15 a few years back (dealer closeout).
Thx. Never think to use e-bay. My catalytic converter gave out on me 6 months ago, and it cost me $450 for the part!
I would LOVE to put my daughter in something safe like a pick-up. Right now she has her heart set on a VW bug (ugh).
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Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:09 am |
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eastmn
Senior Member
Cash: $ 85.80
Posts: 414
Joined: 04 Apr 2010
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The ford converter is probably what you paid for. I can get a perfectly legal aftermarket generic for any car for $125 with labor; from any muffler store in town. Converter failure is typically when it gets plugged-up, restricted (fractured membrane). The car loses power, sluggish, and engine gets hot because it's restricted. This can cause warped heads, valves, or even fires.
You take care, and thanks for the feedback...
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Wed Feb 08, 2012 2:10 am |
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eastmn
Senior Member
Cash: $ 85.80
Posts: 414
Joined: 04 Apr 2010
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Thanks for the feedback...
I had a new Ranger (96 Mazda B4000) V6-Automatic, company issue, which went well over 250K miles. The first engine and tranny were replaced by warranty before 30K miles. Never had another repair besides the brakes/tires; and front-end bushings. I also changed the power window mechanical regulator.
$1500 sounds like a tranny or engine rebuild. Back when I was young and energetic, I used to just replace worn engine/tranny with low mileage salvage parts. I know this guy with an old fiberglass Tbird convertible who does the same. Most salvage yards will do the towing and labor
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Last edited by eastmn on Thu Feb 09, 2012 11:34 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:16 am |
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2StepsFwd1StepBack
Full Member
Cash: $ 13.25
Posts: 63
Joined: 31 Jan 2012
Location: Michigan
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A few months ago (and with his permission), I sold sold my dad's '92 pick-up and was quite surprised with the experience. He's 84 years old...stopped driving about 5 years ago, although he never really went anywhere with it except grocery store and barber (he lives in a small town several states away). He bought it with 30k miles, and it still had 35k miles when I sold it. It was garage kept the entire time, so no rust. My brother in law and I tried to keep it in good condition mechanically. We literally had bidding wars for the darn thing! Ended up selling it for a few hundred over high book. Not sure why it was such a hot item, but I was pleased with the experience, especially since my dad lives on a fixed income. so the money will help him have a bit of fun, plus go toward cost of "the unthinkable".
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Thu Feb 09, 2012 2:56 pm |
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