Brake replacement question

That *has* to be a joke. Right?

For kicks I called my local dealer and they quoted: 2 front rotors, caliper rebuild kit, new pads, around $400.

If somebody told me that my Prius would cost $15 g's for a brake job, I'd give them a comment that rhymes with "duck shoe."

 

Well, I think it's just ironic that a person who in all probability has never looked under the hood of a Prius is telling you how incredibly much the front rotors cost.

Maybe the rotors from a Boeing 777 or an Airbus A340?? That I could see, you're talking about what, a $100 million airplane?

I would still use the classic comeback that rhymes with "duck shoe" and leave it at that. This guy is a boob.

Look, if it means proving the point, and this guy isn't a homicidal stalker or something equally dangerous, drive him to your local Toyota dealer. Drag him to the parts/service counter and ask them how much parts/labor for the front rotors.

If he still believes "Slick and Slack" or whatever the h*** their names are, then this guy is a boob. Maybe hook him up to the special HV battery charger the dealer has.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman\";p=\"73740)</div>

Click and Clack (the car talk guys on NPR) are great. They've generally been hybrid supporters (the Prius gets their "awesome" rating). They've also been very critical of Detroit's tendency to build ever bigger and more powerful SUVs.

Here's their web page for anyone interested: Car Talk Web Page

 

I'll do that $15,000 brake job! Pick me! Me,me! :lol:


BTW, I have only done a brake job on 1 Prius, an 03 and it still had plenty of pad (was a front brake job) left. The reason for the work was that the pad material had come loose from the metal backing plate. It had about 77k on them.

 

Dang Rick, I was scrolling down to get my bid in on the job - you beat me to it!

I'll do it for $14,500.00 - that's my final offer. Oh yeah - and I can have it done by lunch time !!!

 

I remember reading on one of these boards that the NHW20 brakes required a THHT to bleed the hydraulic system. If this is accurate it might have started the story. Do our assembled experts agree that it's needed?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kidtwist\";p=\"73748)</div>

Mark:

Then it sounds like this guy that kkister1492 knows is either making things up, is completely full of s***, or has forgotten to take his meds.

His opinions are his own business - that's what the Bill of Rights is for - but when he goes around spreading bulls*** like that, he's a boob.

We're all entitled to opinions, but my Dad warned me a long time ago about opinions and their similarity to sphincter's

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rick57\";p=\"73789)</div>

Rick:

Careful son, or I'll hide all your back pain meds!

Seriously though, I bet this "horror story" becomes an Urban Legend and you'll have prospective owners wringing their hands asking how much the brake job *really* costs.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu\";p=\"73829)</div>

There is a thread on the Toyota Prius braking system with many nice jpg's of the system.

I asked my Prius tech about that, as I've always changed my own brake fluid yearly: I siphon the fluid out of the reservoir, add fresh DOT3, then have a helper stomp the brake pedal while I crawl under and open the bleed screws. I like doing things like that.

My Prius tech claims that as long as I don't introduce air into the system when I siphon out the reservoir and add fresh DOT3, there is no reason I can't do it myself. That said, the THHT is used to cycle the pumps and "properly" flush everything out.

My local Prius tech also claims they will happily do my yearly brake fluid change, flush, and bleed for $80. As my back has recently started acting up again, I think I'll take them up on the offer. At least they stand behind their work if anything should happen to FUBAR.

Oh, FWIW, my 2000 GMC Sierra needed the OTC Tech2 to cycle the ABS pumps if air was ever introduced into the system. I would think every new car and truck with ABS needs the handheld tester to cycle the ABS pumps if air is suspected.

I used to have a 1992 Honda Prelude SR with ABS. You needed a special tool from Honda just to reach the bleed screw on the ABS accumulator, and you needed their special dedicated ABS tester to cycle all the pumps. Not a job for the corner service station, that's for sure.

I suspect the Prius with all its technology may be very intimidating to the masses. It's not like this technology ever gets in your face, it all works behind the scenes.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman\";p=\"73839)</div>

Rick:

Careful son, or I'll hide all your back pain meds!

Seriously though, I bet this "horror story" becomes an Urban Legend and you'll have prospective owners wringing their hands asking how much the brake job *really* costs.[/b][/quote]
No No not the meds! Actually I am doing better, :wink:

As for the bleeding,I have not had opportunity to do that yet on a Prius. So,I looked it up. On the 1st gen, a combination of pedal activation and Scan tool accomplishes it. On the 2nd gen, you also must use the Scan tool. So as usual,if you attempt any maintenance/repair of the Prius,always consult the repair manual before starting. These high tech hybrids are not like the cars of yesterday.

 

The brakes on the Prius is no more complex than newer ABS systems on other cars, as Jayman said. And I was the one that posted the brake diagram for discussion: http://priuschat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6778. Regen has nothing to do with the hydraulics, other than the skid (brake) ECU asking the HV ECU to use regen so it can use less or no hydraulic brakes. Regen is done from the PSD (Power Split Device) using MG2.

The pads/rotors/drums/shoes are otherwise standard stuff.

As for bleeding, that would be tough to do, as you have 2 lines going to the wheel cylinders: one to create pressure in the cylinder, the other to release it. But I suppose constantly cycling the brakes and bleeding would get some air out either through the bleeder or back out to the reservoir.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kkister1492\";p=\"73928)</div>

I think you can stop right about there. Geez, that explains everything.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kkister1492\";p=\"73928)</div>

I recommend a severe beating. For a small additional charge - or one fluffy homebaked Cherry and Rhubarb pie - I'll do it for you.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rick57\";p=\"73914)</div>

Rick:

Happy to hear that. Don't forget what I said before about your back exercises. At least several times a week, preferably once a day, and your back will rarely go out.

Jay

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMan32\";p=\"73936)</div>

Hey Danman I got off track with all the posts and forgot to dig into the brakes like we had started in the other thread. But I guess I am curious now so I will reread that thread. And for the lines,there are only 1 line to each wheel,not 2 as you thought.

And jayman,I remember about the excersises,don't worry. Also I don't like rubarb but I will take cherry, :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rick57\";p=\"73942)</div>

Rick:

Glad to hear that. It's easy to forget about the exercises until it feels like there is an ice pick buried in your Lumbar.

I think rhubarb is an acquired taste. My Mom always plugged plenty of rhubarb down my pie hole, so I'm addicted for life. It truly is Nectar of the Gods.

I keep dropping hints for Frank Hudon to ship me some of his excess rhubarb when his garden is ready, but noooooooo he never does.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rick57\";p=\"73942)</div>

Hey Danman I got off track with all the posts and forgot to dig into the brakes like we had started in the other thread. But I guess I am curious now so I will reread that thread. And for the lines,there are only 1 line to each wheel,not 2 as you thought.

And jayman,I remember about the excersises,don't worry. Also I don't like rubarb but I will take cherry, :lol:
[/b][/quote]

Hmm. Not what the diagram is showing.