Here's a silly question. Has anyone ever had to replace their brake pads? Seems to me like this might be an untouted benefit of the Prius. "You never have to replace the brake pads!" Is this too optimistic? What percentage brake pad wear is common on average over 25k miles? Anyone ever examined this?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pafoss @ May 13 2006, 07:01 AM) [snapback]254705[/snapback]</div> The only brake pad replacement that I have heard of was the Taxi in Vancouver BC and that was because of frequent stops at low speeds. Also note the lack of brake dust on the front wheels, another untouted benefit.
There have been a few other reports of replacing brake components; all from climates where salt is applied to the roads in winter I think. Seem to be corrosion-related, and that Prius' friction brakes get so little work.
When I went to a couple of techs regarding my brakes feeling soft, one indicated that the electric motor does so much of the breaking that he hasn't seen a Prius with under 80,000 miles even close to needing new brakes. It seems he had never had to do one period.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pafoss @ May 13 2006, 10:01 AM) [snapback]254705[/snapback]</div> My 2005 has 32k miles and when I rotated the tires at 30,000, there was only minimal wear on the front pads.
I think we need to worry more about the rotors rusting and falling off before the brake pads need replacement. Ever take a good look at Prii brake rotors? They look rusty if you don't brake hard in your normal course of driving.
http://privatenrg.com/#100kBrakePads scroll down a little to the photos of the brake pads at 8k and 100k miles and read his comments.
DH has replaced ONE set of prius brake pads- due to malfunction. expected pad life for front: 150k or more rear: life of the vehicle he's seen one with 20k with the crosshatching on the rotor from the original machining and 90k with 10-15% worn.
if you really want shiny brakes, kick it into neutral and ride the brakes on a good downhill stretch. having them shined up is a waste of money.
I heard that the rear brakes get applied first.. before the fronts kick in.. Has anyone checked there rear brakes?.. I might have mine looked at and adjusted.. I am at 61K. Scott
It's not silly as they do last much longer due to the electric motor providing much of the braking prior to the traditional brakes taking over. I have just had my pads and shoes replaced at 129,000 miles. They were both due as the pads usually last 2-3 times longer than the shoes. I do recommend doing it sooner as my right rear wheel cylinder seal started leaking the day after my mechanic (non-Toyota) did the job. This led to further complications as they tried to bleed the brakes (7 hours) the conventional way which burnt out the inverter (?) and damaged the brake actuator. They eventually sent it to my dealer for the repair. I was fortunate that his insurance company paid for this as the actuator was in excess of $1800. They were lacking the Scantool needed to do the job properly. I would have to say, Toyota (As well as the domestics) are keeping a tight lid on any information or diagnostic equipment that would assist the backyard mechanic from repairing it themselves. Marty
That's pretty well documented. You have to completely disconnect the 12v system before you do anything, and you cannot traditionally bleed the system. Lesson learned I hope is to just bring it to the dealer.
It is true that the backyard mechanic or independent repair shop must learn how to correctly perform Prius brake service, or else run the risk of a big-time screwup as your story illustrates. Toyota is not keeping a tight lid on the necessary process, but you need to know where to find this. A $15 investment will make repair manual info available to you for two days, at: techinfo.toyota.com Diagnostic equipment: $1,345 and a laptop will allow you (in theory) to have the same capability as a Toyota dealer tech: https://techinfo.toyota.com:443/tec...hinfo/html/prelogin/docs/tsliteflyertinfo.pdf
Its finally time for me to do a brake job. I have an 05 Prius and it will turn 200k this week ! Thats right folks 200,000 miles and still original brakes ! Now i just have to shop because I know i can do better than the 300 bucks the dealer wants !
I had to replace the front brake pads on my '01 at 9X,XXX. It wasn't because the pad was all the way worn but because the pad actually fell off of one due to corrosion. When I pulled off the wheel, there was a pile of old brake pad in the wheel well. The pad material that fell off got crushed when I applied the brakes at slow speed (pulling into my garage). All other pads were fine with about 70% wear.
I am also about to change my discs and pads because of rust not wear at 80,000miles. I have sourced all the parts front and rear discs and front pads,"the rear pads have so little wear that I am just going to resurface them and refit. Total cost £67 about $100/110.
