bothwell_buyer
October 26, 2008, 5:07 pm
OK Michelle
Its a simple job which should take less than an hour for a basic DIYer - minutes for a garage mechanic who knows what he's doing or seconds for a garage mechanic who knows what she is doing!
Sounds like the front pads have gone down to metal in which case the discs may need replaced. The discs can be skimmed - the minimum thickness required is cast into the inside surface of the disc. If the disc is scored, then it would fail the MOT.
A pair of discs (you can only buy them in pairs) will be around £160 but shop around for prices - ask Parts-King for his price and they might also be available from other car part suppliers. The pads will be about £60 and ditto the above re buying them.
The brake fluid level will be low just now if the pads are that worn, and once new pads are done then level should be checked.
Some 90% of the braking is done by the front brakes...especially with the RAVs short wheelbase. I'd be surprised if the rear shoes need done - is the handbrake working OK?
If you find a garage, tell them that you want to be given the old pads and discs. With the price of scrap steel at £150 a ton you could sell them for a couple of quid!! And you can check that they did get replaced! If you leave the purchase to the garage they might charge you full whack for the bits (might?
).
In the meantime, don't be using the car unless really necessary - if the pads are that bad then its not roadworthy and could lead to an accident. If you have a KWIKFit or similar close who will check the car free, then it might be worth doing just to check it is the pads/discs...but get parts prices first. The toyota pads are good for day to day use - the best as has been argued. The discs are just discs and are the same from anywhere really. I've tried EBS and rotordiscs and although they are nice looking, they don't last any longer!
