Brake Pad Warning Light

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Zack
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Brake Pad Warning Light

Post by Zack »

Warning light came on today. Brake pads need to be replaced. My question is, should I take it to Baron or can a local shop do the work? Should I buy the parts in advance? What parts do I need other than just the pads and is it possible the rotors may need to be replaced as well?
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Re: Brake Pad Warning Light

Post by Minidave »

You should take it to someone you trust, whether that is Baron or an independent shop, they can look at it and answer all your questions. As far as pads go, there are a couple of different approaches - you can buy a kit from Baron that has all the parts in it - rotors, sensors, new bolts, pads etc and go with factory parts (black brake dust) or go online to one of the vendors like Way Motor Works and buy a kit from them using ECS or some other brand and get dustless pads. Unless you're going to Baron, I would not just let the independent shop put on the pads they choose....I'm going to try Akebono pads on my Clubby the next time it needs them, I have them on the Audi and they are truly dustless, and they work perfectly with good initial bite and good feel.

At your mileage if you haven't ever replaced the rotors before I would go for new ones.

Don't forget to bed them in according to the MFR's requirements - for factory pads, just drive gently the first 100 miles or so, for others follow the mfr's instructions that come with the pads.
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Re: Brake Pad Warning Light

Post by davester »

Before you do anything, check your brake fluid level in the master cylinder. If it is low, the light will come on. Be sure to use dot 4 fluid. :wave:
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Re: Brake Pad Warning Light

Post by Zack »

Leaning toward the ECS Tuning Kit to save money and having a local garage that my friend works at do the install. I'll save a lot of money.
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Re: Brake Pad Warning Light

Post by Minidave »

Just because the light is on doesn't mean you have to change them immediately (there's usually several thousand miles left on them - especially if you're going to change the rotors anyway), maybe you could wait till our next shop day to install them and save all the labor?

Did you check the fluid level like Davester suggested? That can turn the light on also......
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Re: Brake Pad Warning Light

Post by Zack »

Minidave wrote:Just because the light is on doesn't mean you have to change them immediately (there's usually several thousand miles left on them - especially if you're going to change the rotors anyway), maybe you could wait till our next shop day to install them and save all the labor?

Did you check the fluid level like Davester suggested? That can turn the light on also......
Yep. Fluid levels are fine. I had my mechanic friend look at the brakes and they need to be replaced.
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Re: Brake Pad Warning Light

Post by MiniManiac »

Minidave wrote:Just because the light is on doesn't mean you have to change them immediately (there's usually several thousand miles left on them - especially if you're going to change the rotors anyway), maybe you could wait till our next shop day to install them and save all the labor?
^^THIS^^

IMHO brakes are the most overpriced car repair. It is fairly simple to do and you save a ton of $$$ by doing it yourself. Good luck!
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Re: Brake Pad Warning Light

Post by Zack »

Too cold to work on it myself or I would. Also I will drive over 1000 miles by the next garage day.
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Re: Brake Pad Warning Light

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Zackattack28 wrote:Too cold to work on it myself or I would. Also I will drive over 1000 miles by the next garage day.
It is cold!
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Re: Brake Pad Warning Light

Post by Zack »

Ordered the ECS Tuning brake service kit. Zimmermann rotors and akebono pads. As well as the sensors. Should get here next week.
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