Need brakes for 99SE

[that1mexguy]

Ok, before anyone tries to "flame" me, I did a search, and did not find what i was looking for. So here it goes.... I think it's about that time to get some new brakes since mine feel like they are about to squeak. Last time I got new brakes (for my old 98 Camry), I went to Meineke and got charge over $400, which to me seemed a bit high, but I really needed brakes and I didnt do my research. So this time before I get shafted again, I'd like to know if this time instead of just going to any shop, I'd like to see what you guys think should be a decent price to getting new brakes. That time I was told i was getting Ceramic brake pads, at $99 each. Are they really that much? I wonder if I should just get the pads somewhere else and then just have the shop install them, or would they cost about the same at the shop? Or should I just get my brakes upgraded? if so, what do you guys recommend? And what, other than pads, do brakes consist of???? <<==== that's probably the most important question i'd like to know. And how often are brakes maintained? I know rotors are needed, are they just changed? is it worth it to upgrade them? if so, what brand? or do they sale them along with the pads?

IF YOU HAVENT FIGURED IT OUT BY NOW... i really know NOTHING about brakes but would like to get a lil more edumicated. I'll continue my research in other places, but your help/advise will alse be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[bronzemaxell]

Ok, before anyone tries to "flame" me, I did a search, and did not find what i was looking for. So here it goes.... I think it's about that time to get some new brakes since mine feel like they are about to squeak. Last time I got new brakes (for my old 98 Camry), I went to Meineke and got charge over $400, which to me seemed a bit high, but I really needed brakes and I didnt do my research. So this time before I get shafted again, I'd like to know if this time instead of just going to any shop, I'd like to see what you guys think should be a decent price to getting new brakes. That time I was told i was getting Ceramic brake pads, at $99 each. Are they really that much? I wonder if I should just get the pads somewhere else and then just have the shop install them, or would they cost about the same at the shop? Or should I just get my brakes upgraded? if so, what do you guys recommend? And what, other than pads, do brakes consist of???? <<==== that's probably the most important question i'd like to know. And how often are brakes maintained? I know rotors are needed, are they just changed? is it worth it to upgrade them? if so, what brand? or do they sale them along with the pads?

IF YOU HAVENT FIGURED IT OUT BY NOW... i really know NOTHING about brakes but would like to get a lil more edumicated. I'll continue my research in other places, but your help/advise will alse be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

sqeaking brake may suggest just noise indication for new brake pads
i just went to dealer and got new oem front and rear pads for around $100, i believe pads are non-ceramic and planning to swap the pads myself since i've already done it myself twice on my gen3 v6 camry.
if you brake and do not feel pulse from steering wheel, and inspect the rotor for no groove, then you probably just need brakes replaced, unless you have cash to burn and replace or upgrade brake system.

[sleepin2000]

First off, you got robbed, there is no way the pads they put on were $99 each. The brakes on the Solara are not very good so if you have to replace them it would not hurt to go ahead and upgrade them. You have three major upgrades you can look at, the pads, the rotors, and the brake lines. If you want to do a true upgrade, you should go for stainless braided steel brake lines, drilled/slotted rotors (I would go for just slotted), and better pads ( Porterfield, Hawk, Etc...). Just remember you usually get what you pay for except for the last time you had your brakes done. Hope that helps at least a little bit.

2000 SC SLE V6

[geminimouse]

Ceramic pads are nice...low dust and durable.
I have Porterfield R4S which are nice for a daily driver. Not too expensive, $80 for the front and $70 for the back.

Your choices for rotors would be getting a big brake kit or EricSol's caliper relocation kit if he still has any left.
Or stay with stock size, I recommend slotted if ur a daily driver.

Pic of EricSol's kit with Slotted rotors

[bronzemaxell]

Ceramic pads are nice...low dust and durable.

is there any advantage for non-ceramic pads?
i saw the dealer has the display brake pads for semi-metal or ceramic and genuine toyota non-ceramic pads.
i am wondering if the oem pads will save the rotor from wearing out sooner as oppose to semi-metal brake pads.

[geminimouse]

is there any advantage for non-ceramic pads?
i saw the dealer has the display brake pads for semi-metal or ceramic and genuine toyota non-ceramic pads.
i am wondering if the oem pads will save the rotor from wearing out sooner as oppose to semi-metal brake pads.

I'm not sure what material the oem pads are made of.

[that1mexguy]

First off, you got robbed

No doubt in my mind about that now LOL

You have three major upgrades you can look at, the pads, the rotors, and the brake lines. If you want to do a true upgrade, you should go for stainless braided steel brake lines, drilled/slotted rotors (I would go for just slotted), and better pads ( Porterfield, Hawk, Etc...).

How much do you think an upgrade like that would cost? I'm already saving up to get an S/C maybe for Xmas, or tax season, and from what I've heard, brakes definitely need to be upgraded, so I might as well go for it now, would $500 cover it? or maybe more?

Just remember you usually get what you pay for except for the last time you had your brakes done. Hope that helps at least a little bit.

It certainly helps, my only other question would be, do you guys recommend brand shops (meineke, kauffman tires, etc) or off the wall shops? Which are most likely to rip u off is what i'm trying to determine here.

[that1mexguy]

PS. Do you guys recommend some of the ceramic pads/slotted rotors they sell on eBay?

[that1mexguy]

OK there is this mobile auto shop that comes to our job to perform maintenance to the cars for the people that work here and asked for a quote to see what i need, and how much. It appears that pads need to be changed for now, but for ceramic pads, front are $170, rear are $150. Total $320 plus tax...... so does that sound about right? or did he find me cute and is trying to f%^& me over??

[Mole]

why dont you purchase the parts and them just pay them for labor if you don't feel like doing it yourself?

[that1mexguy]

why dont you purchase the parts and them just pay them for labor if you don't feel like doing it yourself?

Yeah, i'm considering it. A friend of mine said he'd hook it up for me as long as I buy him a lap dance next time we hit the clubs, hehe. I'll be purchasing the pads today, any recommendations?

[Mole]

imho, my best luck was EBC greenstuff.

[that1mexguy]

One more question guys if you dont mind. Everybody seems to recommend ceramic pads, but i've also seen Metal pads such as the ones below:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... eName=WDVW

Which are better and which do you recommend?

[geminimouse]

One more question guys if you dont mind. Everybody seems to recommend ceramic pads, but i've also seen Metal pads such as the ones below:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... eName=WDVW

Which are better and which do you recommend?

Ceramic pads are low in dust and durable.
Metallic pads wear down the rotors faster.

[Ford_Fixorrepairdaily]

watever u do dont get ceramic, the only thing that is gonna do is mess up your stock rotors. read up on ceramic brake pads before buying them, theyre not recommend to be used with stock oem rotors.

best bet just get trd brakes pads. you can get front and rear for 80-90 shipped. local shop charged me $60 for front and rear install.