Rainydaywidow Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 (edited) Hi all! I'm being told that I need new rotors and pads at 55,000 miles on a gently used Subaru that only moves around town. I'm wanting to know if a wobble in the steering wheel is a sign of warped front rotors and what is acceptable width of brake pads. I'm in the Pacific Northwest so if anyone has what is a reasonable estimate on this work might be, I would be most appreciative. I was told, "Don't drive this car much more", when I went in for a check up about the wobble while braking in the steering wheel at higher speeds. They said I had very thin brake pads on rear wheels and they couldn't check my front pads (?) without "tearing it apart" to look. and the wobble was probably warped rotors on the front. This is on a '94 Subaru Legacy LS. Yet, I'm still driving my little car and it still stops on a dime if I ask it to, but the wobble is still there (only if braking at higher speeds, lol, over 45mph) and I'm concerned that I may be driving an unsafe car. Their quote is around $650.00 to replace all 4 pads and to check the front rotors and turn them if necessary. It will be considerable higher if I need new rotors on all 4 (they have never been turned before). What say you? Have I given you the info you need? Is this the right forum for this question? Etc, I know you folks will steer me in the right direction. Thanks. Rainydaywidow Edited June 29, 2015 by Rainydaywidow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darsdoug Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Take it to another repair shop. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Sounds like scare tactics to me--and $650 is a rip-off. If no one comes forward with a specific shop suggestion, try to find some Mom-and Pop type places in your area. Get estimates. You can talk about the problem intelligently from what you already know! And good luck--let us know how it goes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertsubaru Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Yes run from that shop. Rockauto has Front brakes and rotor kit for as low as $66 bucks plus shipping. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 I just did a complete front brake job on my 95 Legacy - parts purchased from Rockauto.com Bendix brand front rotors - $16.12 ea Bendix brand front pads - $14.87/set Remanufactured calipers - $36.79 ea - complete with brackets, all new hardware (including new crush washers) & a high temp grease packet w/ea total cost for front parts - $120.69 (plus shipping) job took a couple of hours taking my time, and less than a pint of fresh brake fluid. Anyone that quotes you more than $350 for the job is a big rip-off, and even at that, I think I am being quite generous. And seriously - there are plenty of members here that live in the PNW - somebody should be able to either give a recommendation for a decent shop, or possibly give a hand helping get the job done... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Rainy - ask for a shop recommendation in a new thread. Might be fortunate enough that another member here knows a good mechanic near your city. You may not need new rotors if they are fairly smooth and above the minimum thickness stamped on them. Often, that wobble feeling comes after a panic stop and holding the brakes clamped in one spot waiting for a light or train, Sometimes, lightly dragging the brakes with your left foot for 2-3 blocks - followed immediately by a mile cool-down run, will clear that uneven deposit off. machining rotors or replacing will do the same thing - for more $$$. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 OK, back to basics, guys. Wobble at high speed braking is usually your ABS. Wobble at SLOW speed braking is usually warped rotors. Rotors warp from heat, like lots of slow stop and go driving/braking. You can also frequently feel the wobble of warped rotors at slow speeds without your foot on the brake. Your rear brakes won't cause this wobble either (though unevenly worn tires can). Most of the braking is done by your front brakes and it's easy to see how much pad there is. In worst case, all one has to do is remove the wheel to see them clearly. Have you heard any screeching or grinding at all? Any pulling to one side or the other when braking? Also, highly recommend Richie Rich's shop in Portland: Superior Import Repair Inc.4443 NE 82nd AvenuePortland, OR 97220503-288-8634 Emily 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lstevens76 Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 It sounds like you went to Les Schwab who won't do brakes without replacing the Calipers thus increasing the price a lot. I'm not going to discount the fact a shop is doing the work and they are going to mark up the parts. You also have to figure in the shops labor. But even doing that they are about $250 high for doing a full brake job w/ resurfacing the rotors. Doing all 4 brakes with resurfacing the rotors (providing they have the equipment and aren't shipping it out) is rated at 4 hours at Automd.com. Automd.com also lists the cost for the pads (all 8 of them) at around $70 from an independent shop (not the dealer). This shop seems to want to just get money IMO. Find another reputable shop, get a second opinion, and a reasonable quote. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Apparently, little known fact: You can only surface Subaru rotors once. They are thin in relation to other brands and once they get warped, you pretty much have to replace them. I, for one, will not use anything other than Genuine or OEM pads on a Subaru. They last much longer, too. The difference is cost is negligible. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainydaywidow Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 Hi Everyone, Well the last time I wrote about a problem with my '95 Subaru Legacy was about brakes, but I have an addendum to add to that post. Looks like I will never have to worry about my Legacies brakes ever again. On 08142015 I was stuck from behind by a 18 wheeler and now my baby car, that I had for 20 years, is gone. Because of my good car, I am alive and well without a scratch (just a concussion and some other bumps and and scrapes). I believe it was the well build baby of mine that got me through the horrible ordeal. The 18 wheeler struck me from behind and turned me sideways and shoved me perpendicular down the freeway for what seemed like 1/4 of a mile down I-5 in Portland. All I could see was the Grill of the 18 wheeler up next to the left side of my face and the cement medium out my front window. When all the dust had settled, no one was hurt, no other vehicles were involved and I was left to mourn the loss of a wonderful car that had given me almost no trouble for the 20 years I owned her. She was a good car. It was the good build of that car that got me through the accident. I loved that car! LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE 95 SUBARU LEGACY and the GOOD LORD. And now a moments silence for her, as she now she rests in a junkyard to rot and I miss her so much. Thank all who were good enough to answer my questions about replacing the brakes,but looks like that's not going to be a problem anymore. Thanks to all! Rainydaywidow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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