2003 needs brakes at 14500?????

[sluvs2quilt]

I brought my 2003 Grand caravan ex in to have the power steering looked at. (grinding and whining) They've told me I need a new steering pump and it won't be in until tommorrow but did you know you need new front brakes?? at 14500 miles? can this be possible?

[boostbarn]

That's not unheard of, especially if your hard on the brakes or do a lot of stop and go driving. I'm not sure what type of pads the mfr uses, but there is a fine balance between brake life, noise, cost and performance.

The dealer should be able to tell you how much pad is left in mm, and how thick a new pad is (asking should help keep them honest). If your at all in doubt most brake shops will give you a free inspection if your looking for a second opinion.

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by boostbarn

That's not unheard of, especially if your hard on the brakes or do a lot of stop and go driving. I'm not sure what type of pads the mfr uses, but there is a fine balance between brake life, noise, cost and performance.

The dealer should be able to tell you how much pad is left in mm, and how thick a new pad is (asking should help keep them honest). If your at all in doubt most brake shops will give you a free inspection if your looking for a second opinion.

We have a 2004 and I have never seen brake dust like this , if this all brake material then these brakes aren't going to last very long , so far we have 15000 miles on it , not planning on long brake life from this van .

[GTP Dad]

14500 miles doesn't seem like a lot of mileage to me for a set of pads. Do you do a lot of stop and go driving? If you do then the pads have outlived their usefulness. If you are a highway driver without a lot of stops then the pads went prematurely. I would make sure they put premium pads on when they replace them. I like performance friction carbon metallics but the new ceramic pads, although expensive, wear like iron. If tghe dealer is going to install the pads they will probably put the same pads back on the vehicle that were on there originally. Have them check the calipers to make sure they aren't sticking which can cause premature wear of the pads. Also turn the rotors so the pads seat properly and they run true.

[sluvs2quilt]

Thanks! ALL I do is stop and go. 4 times a day to pick kids up at different schools and running around errands. All local, hardly no freeway driving. I was a little concerned as this is the first time I went to this dealer for service and he pops up with the brakes needing work. Got a little worried they were trying to cover the cost of the power steering pump (make sure you have that recall performed!) replaced under warranty. Sounds like it's not that abnormal to go through front brakes that fast under my driving conditions. GTP Dad: I had them do all that, thank you for the advice.

[DoctorS]

Sounds about normal. I have an 05' SXT with 9k miles on it, and my brake pedal has gained about two inches of travel since it was new. The alloy wheels are always dirty of brake dust, the brake pads are getting thin, and the rotors are getting thin as well. I can break the rusty cap off the top of the rotors with my fingers. Very poor breaking in my opinion. Can't wait to get rid of this piece of plastic!

Drs

[Stretch58]

Originally Posted by DoctorS

Sounds about normal. I have an 05' SXT with 9k miles on it, and my brake pedal has gained about two inches of travel since it was new. The alloy wheels are always dirty of brake dust, the brake pads are getting thin, and the rotors are getting thin as well. I can break the rusty cap off the top of the rotors with my fingers. Very poor breaking in my opinion. Can't wait to get rid of this piece of plastic!

Drs

Have a 2000 GC, mostly highway driving and easy stop and go(few hard stops), had new front pads @ 53K, turned rotors also then. Still OK @103K.

[DoctorS]

Older is definitely better. Wish I still had my 76' Deville, with the 472 under the hood, even at todays gas prices. That's when cars were cars, built like a brick $hit house! Never repaired anything on that car except for normal maintenance items.

DrS

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

14500 miles doesn't seem like a lot of mileage to me for a set of pads. I would make sure they put premium pads on when they replace them. I like performance friction carbon metallics but the new ceramic pads, although expensive, wear like iron.

I have a 98 g/c My wife does 85% local driving gets 45-45k on the front pads. I use Raybestos pro stop semi metallic.
I put ceramic on my daughter's Maxima, the shop said they dust less and last longer. After 13k miles she cooked the rotors and wore out the pads. I switched back to semi metallic. I'm not sure they are worth the extra money especially on a kids Maxima