I have a 5 year old Corolla, with a mileage of 68K. My Toyota dealer is recommending:

1. Front Brake Pad Replacement (thickness ~ 2.5mm)
2. Machine Rotors
3. Rear Brake Service & Machine rear drums

While I am ok with item # 1 (cost ~ $150), items # 2 & 3 will cost an additional $400. Since I am not too familiar with cars, can any experienced auto people here shed some light on if my car really needs machining rotors, rear drums, etc? I don't know if the dealer is trying to make quick bucks here.? Brakes seem to be fine, with no issues and I use them gently.

Can I just get them to replace brake pads, without doing the other stuff?

Please guide me. Thanks.

Sounds like an outrageous amount ($550) to just machine (not replace) the 4 rotors/drums and replace with new brake pads.

Here's one cost effective solution that I have been following diligently for both my Durango and Altima and has worked out with no problem. Find parts online, find a reliable garage that will do the work for you and charge just the labor and you will save most, if not all the ridiculous markups.

If you have access to US shopping online, try Advance auto parts (advanceauto.com). In Canada, I believe you have Rock Auto. I just bought 4 brand new rotors and 2 sets of brake pads (each set is 2 pairs) for a total cost of $183 USD (from Advance Auto Parts) for the Altima. I am going to pay labor to get the work done at Midas.

As far as needing work, if brake pads wear out, the metal on the pads will start grinding into the rotor, thereby wearing out the rotor. You can peek and see if the rotor is smooth or rough (don't touch as they might still be hot). Or if you look at the outer edge of the rotor and the inside surface is slightly deeper than the outer edge, then the rotor has worn. Machining is done when the wear is minimal and is intended to save money over replacement (which here doesn't look like is the case at $550).

You can also get online higher end pads and rotors like I did with my Durango and it will last for a much longer time.

Good luck.

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Dimple2001

BTW, the dealer is not trying to scam you. It's just the ridiculous markups on the parts and high labor rate that is pretty standard at the dealers. For example, the Nissan dealer quoted $990 for an AC compressor. I can get the AC compressor online for $320 USD at Adv Auto after all the promotions/discounts they seem to run almost daily. Includes sales tax and free shipping.

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Dimple2001

Your car is 5 years old, not covered under warranty. Right. Why do you go to Dealer?
He is screwing you nothing else.

Update:

Labor to get the brake job done on my Altima - $188 USD (incl taxes...about 2 hrs labor).

Total Brake job with brand new set of parts - $371 USD

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Dimple2001