After almost 25,000 miles it's time to replace brake pads. I'm getting the dreaded squeal when slowing down from around 5 mph to a stop. From recommendations I'm leaning towards the Wagner Thermoquiet pads. I do tow a 7K - 7.5K Travel Trailer occasionally.

I'm definitely no mechanic but I do consider myself to be fairly well mechanically inclined. I'm wondering how big of a task it is to change the pads myself and if fairly simple if there would be any special tools I might need?

Thanks!

 

I don't think the pads are difficult but you should get the rotors resurfaced or at the very least scuff the rotors with 400 grit sand paper front and back. You want to remove the old pad material.

 

The rotors really should be resurfaced (turned) as they will have some warpage. Resurfacing the rotors also restores maximum braking efficiency. Dan.

 

Do you have the trailer brakes adjusted properly? Are you using a good brake controller?

Just curious as I have nearly 40,000 miles on my '07 and the original brakes are just fine. Trust me, if they were even near replacement time the dealer would have been all over them!

Trailer is 5,000, not 7,000 pounds though.



-- Chuck

 

I only have 30K on my 07 expeditiion and had the same problem. The brakes were squeling anytime I went to slow down or stop. I went to get my vehicle inspected and they guy told me that I needed new brakes before they would inspect.....talked to owner of shop, they went ahead with the inspection without brakes....told him i would let him do the brake job, but they were too high. Had to shops tell me I needed new rotors and pads, rotors were worn too much to turn. Both shops wanted way too much for the parts....bought slotted rotors from RotorPros and got Posi-Quiet Extra Duty pads all for $320 shipped to my door. Quality is better than oem and my truck has less dust, stops quicker, and is quiet, dont even hear the brakes anymore thankfully. Had a shop put everything on for $150, total cost to me $470 parts and labor. Awesome deal for 4 rotors and pads all the way around. Plus changed brake fluid out to full synthetic. Can't be happier. The rotors are zinc dipped and no longer show rust at all. I have driven about 800 miles with the new setup. Rotorpros uses Centric Rotors and Centric now owns Powerslot, Posi-Quiet and a few other companies. One thing to note, the front pads were only worn 50% but were glazed over which was causing the squelling, the rears were almost worn down to the censors.

 

I've had great luck with the Napa high end pads, they are quite, not too dusty and wear well. The cheap pads always suck but who knows. I'd check out some EBC brake pads and rotors if I were in the high performance brake business. I have them on my wifes grand prix and it stops on a dime and gives a nickel change.

 

Thanks all for the input. Seems the general consensus is to resurface the rotors at the same time as changing the pads. So, I may take a pass at the DIY route and try to track down a local shop with reasonable rates that will put in the pads I want. Thanks again!

 

Well You know pads cost $30-60 bucks, labor rates are $65-85hr and rotors cost about $15-30 to turn. The front brake job should cost under $200 IMO.