2003 SE 20,000km: disc brakes need to be change?

I would get a second opinion

Your dealer is probably conning you, rust from not driving wears off in a few stops. replace them only when they are about worn out, before the rivets ruin your rotors, that might be in 3 years for you in front and

15 years on the rears

I went to a second Toyota dealer and they suggested cleaning the 4 brakes to remove the rust or the corrosion. This will cost $50.

Changing all 4 disc brakes will cost around $1000, but that dealer is willing to offer a $200 discount.

Are both of them trying to rip me off? How long will either treatment last?

================================== Best practice is to have them show you (or just look for yourself).

If you remove the wheel covers, you should be able to see the rotors through the holes in the wheels just by using a light.

Are the rotors horribly disfigured from excessive rust, or just an even layer?

The cast iron disks or rotors will rust almost immediately when wet, but when you apply the brakes, the rust should be removed from the surface first time you use the brakes.

I have alloy wheels so I can easily see through to the rotors. Every time I wash the car, by the time I dry it, the rotors are coated with a light layer of rust, but after it is driven and parked again, they're all clean and shiny.

Doesn't sound like $50 is excessive to clean up the rotors.

If you're parking so the wheels are hit by lawn sprinklers every day and you don't move the car for months, I'd park somewhere else.

Brake pads/shoes need to be changed when they are worn out or glazed/damaged. Is that the case? The OEM ceramic pads can last over

80K miles in normal use.

Disc surface rust should go away with a couple of brake applications. Rust coat in the vent area isn't anything to worry about. Are you seeing any signs of rust in the caliper and pad retainer areas?

If the second dealer asks for $50 cleaning then you know the first dealer tried to con you for $1000. No dealer will refuse to clean the brakes if you ask them to because the service manager gets a cut of the profit. And if the second dealer can clean things for $50, then you don't have much of a rust problem, do you?

You can always check with an independent mechanic or a brake specialist for a third opinion. Ask your friends for references and recommendations.

chl_11 wrote:

I had front pads on my Highlander changed about 3 months ago (about

53k miles) and ceramic pads from Toyota were about 55 and the independent tech I think charged less than $100 to install (I had other stuff done also) rotors didn't need turning - as others have said rotors rust but gone first stop.

So,

You didn't mention why you took your car in. Were you having some issue with the brakes? If so what? David