2004 Forester brake rotors finished after 27,000 miles?

[ricardo381]

I brought my 2004 Forester 2.5X to the local Firestone to have the
tires rotated. The complete vehicle inspection service was included in
the tire rotation. A few hours later, I received a call from the
service advisor telling me that the front brake pads were down to 2 mm
and needed to be replaced. Furthermore, he said the rotors needed to be
replaced (I owned several other cars in the past and never needed the
rotors replaced, even after 100,000 miles. The service advisor
explained that the brake rotors on newer cars are softer (i.e. wear
away faster) to improve the braking). He also recommended I flush the
brake fluid, adjust the alignment, and have all four tires rebalanced.
Total estimated bill came to about $1,600. Since I only had 27,000
miles on the car, I decided to decline all the work (except for the
tire rotation for $20). I'm still covered by the 3 year/36,000 mile
warranty so I'll be bringing my Forester back to the local Subaru
dealer for a checkup. I was really hesitant to have the work completed
at Firestone. At least the Subaru dealer would pick up the cost of the
brake pads and rotors (unless they determine that I've been racing my
Forester, which I haven't). We'll see how things go when I bring it in
on Tuesday. Any thoughts or opinions on my story? Thanks!

 

[johninKY]

This reminds me of an experience I had about 15 years ago in Alaska. I
was in the Army stationed in Fairbanks. A friend and I spent all of a
Saturday and Sunday at the Autocraft shop working on our cars. He as in
the bay next to me working on a Chrysler minivan. Bob completely replaced
the front suspension in the van. New rotors. calipers, pads, struts,
bushings...everything. Monday morning he took the van to the local Sears
for an alignment and was told he was lucky to be alive because the
vehicle's front brakes and stuts were completely worned out and he or his
wife would die in a matter of days if all the recommended repairs were not
i done.

Moral of story is don' believe everything you are told and always get a
second opinion. Hard to believe but there are lots of folks out there
that will lie to you to get your money.

 

[Blair Baucom]

I have to take my 2005 Forester 2.5XS in soon to do the 30,000 mile service.
It will be interesting to find out the condition of my brakes after reading
your post.

I had to replace my disc brake rotors and pads in my Ford Ranger XLT at
38,000 miles due to a cracked rotor but the pads on other side had only
about 50% wear.

The brake fluid flush is in the 30,000 mile service. There is another thread
in the group discussing this.

By wanting to adjust the alignment, does that mean they checked it and found
it to be off?

Just saw this in the warranty,

Wear Item Limited Warranty
Wear item coverage for all models is 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever
comes first. Items covered include brake pad/shoe linings, clutch disk
linings, and wiper blades.

Blair

 

[Edward Hayes]

My present Forester with 110,000 miles has never needed rotors turned
or replaced. I suppose if their not torqued correctly & to the correct
value that one could warp rotors. Another cause might be dragging
brakes, either by driver or stuck caliper causing over heating.

 

[M. Butkus]

I had a 2002 Outback that the rotors went after 40K. Typical out of round
brake pedal pulse. Bought new rotors myself and pads... A little over $120.
The rear brakes started to pulse at 50K and I just replaced the pads. Sold
it at 58K and never had a problem once they were replaced.

 

[Dmitriy]

Wait... let me get this straight...
They want $1600 for new pads/rotors, tire rotation, brake flush, and an
alignment??!! NEVER take your car there again.

First of all, your car shouldn't even need new brake pads, not to
mention rotors. There is no way they can wear out in 27,000 miles! I
have almost 100k miles on my original rotors, with most of my driving
being stop and go, and I autocross the car to boot...

Second, all that service should cost you around $500-$600... no more.

Like I said, don't take your car there again.

 

[Jim Stewart]

I brought my 2004 Forester 2.5X to the local Firestone to have the
tires rotated. The complete vehicle inspection service was included in
the tire rotation. A few hours later, I received a call from the
service advisor telling me that the front brake pads were down to 2 mm
and needed to be replaced.

I get an easy 40k miles out of the front pads
and 80k from the rear. 129k miles total and
have never replaced the rotors.

 

[Porgy Tirebiter]

I get an easy 40k miles out of the front pads
and 80k from the rear. 129k miles total and
have never replaced the rotors.

*EVER* see a "Firestone" Midas Muffler or Pep Boys..that was NOT a
rip-off????
The speech starts off...."Sir..you are very lucky to make it here alive!"
Your brakes were SO bad
a terrible accident was soon to happen.....BLAH BLAH BLAH....

 

[ricardo381]

That's what I'm thinking. I usually go to this place for easy stuff,
like rotating tires (because I don't want to sweat over lugging 4 large
tires around in my own garage, although I do like doing my own oil
changes). I never had rotors go, either. The price was for the
"lifetime" brake and "lifetime" alignment package. Either way, I'm
bringing it back to the local Subaru dealer (local is 10 miles) since
all this work can be covered by the original warranty (I'll be really
mad if the dealer tells me that all is okay).

 

[ricardo381]

News back from the Subaru dealer...2mm left on the fronts, 4mm left on
the rears...rotors were okay and did not need replacement. The service
advisor noted there was enough brake pad left on the fronts and could
not replace them under warranty. However, they suggested I bring my car
back in before the 3yr/36,000mile period expires and if new pads are
needed, then they will replace them. Because of Firestone, I spent an
extra $35 for the brake inspection and one full day of leaving my car
at the Subaru dealer...I won't be going back to that Firestone again...

 

[Edward Hayes]

Based on your experience at that particular Firestone dealer I would
pen a letter to the Firestone rep and cc the company. I would describe
just what happened. I'm sure Firestone does not want that kind of
person/dealer representing them.

 

[Kurt Krueger]

News back from the Subaru dealer...2mm left on the fronts, 4mm left on
the rears...rotors were okay and did not need replacement.
............

Had a friend who worked for a short time as a service advisor for
Montgomery Ward. They were told to recommend replacement when 20%
was left. In general that is a long ways from the actual minimum
war limits. At least a year's driving for me.

Caveat emptor.

It also pays to learn how to check these things yourself. In most
cases it just takes a second once the wheel is off. And the thing
is not going to catastrophically fail once you hit the wear limit,
you still have time to arrange an appointment for replacement.

 

[CompUser]

news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,
(e-mail address removed) says...

Based on your experience at that particular Firestone dealer I would
pen a letter to the Firestone rep and cc the company. I would describe
just what happened. I'm sure Firestone does not want that kind of
person/dealer representing them.

Send a copy to your State Attorney General
office, too...they might find it worth
investigating.