New Brake Pads needed

CrazyChemist_2

tomstickland wrote:

Yes, find a decent back street garage, they will be much cheaper than Krap Fit.

Yeah, I've had a bad experience with Kwik fit where they fitted an assymetrical tyre inside out :mad: and then kept fobbing me off till I got Trading Standards involved. But I don't know any other place.

I'm a little apprehensive about going to a small local garage as I would only normally do that on the recommendation of a friend. I just found out about National Tyres and Autocare and Nationwide Autocentres - I'll give them a calll tomorrow to ask about their prices...

tomstickland

Get Yellow Pages out and find a small garage. Actually, I might be able to find someone to recoomend one to you in Swansea via asking on another forum.

CrazyChemist_2

Thanks, but I'm actually based in Worcester I just couldn't be bothered to change it on my profile but I will now I've learnt my lesson!

italiastar

CrazyChemist wrote:

Nationwide Autocentres - I'll give them a calll tomorrow to ask about their prices...

I've used them a couple of times for service - very pleased - however they can be expensive for additional work - they quoted me £170 to change the brake cylinders on a golf which I did for £12 - one side took about 30 minutes (incidentally the first side) and the second the remainder of the day (I started in the morning).

DIY is great and very satisfying, but not in this weather. I must say - you can't beat a good recommended garage - even Mobile guys (and gals) are very good.

CrazyChemist_2

I really want to know how to do these jobs - there's a nice chap at Kwik-Fit whom I chat to a lot - perhaps if I ask nicely he'll let me see how it's done...

I'm going to wash the car now - two months of dirt and grime... here I come!

vansboy

Best idea, as mentioned is to get a Haynes manual, have a read thru' the simpler tasks, to see if you have the tools/space/time to do them, before starting!!

Changing brake pads, isn't the first task, you should try - ESPECIALLY as you mentioned ' never removing a wheel' before!!

This in itself, is something that isn't as easy, it seems, first time!! You'll need to practice this, finding location points for the jack, checking tightness & ease of undoing wheel nuts, refitting again - well worth doing this, NOW - rather than on a wet night, at the side of the road, with a puncture.

& to the first point, SOMETIMES main dealers will do 'silly' deals on brake fitments, to get fresh custom - ask their price - you'll get genuine parts, too!!

VB

CrazyChemist_2

Excellent - I'm taking it in for an MOT on Monday 9th so I'll give Nissan dealer a call tomorrow and ask about it.

Kwik Fit has a free lifetime replacement guarantee on its brake pads and shoes. Thing is that I'd need to keep the car for another 6-7 years at least before they need doing again, which isn't likely. So prob it isn't worth going there just for that.

vansboy

Don't be mis-led by 'Lifetime' guarantees!!

That means they will replace if they FAIL - not wear out!!

& you can be sure they'll do that!! BEFORE failing - not really much to go wrong with pads themselves!!

VB

CrazyChemist_2

The guarantee info leaflet says it's guaranteed against wear and tear too at least that's what it appears to say

ohreally

Kwik-Fit indeed do offer a 'wear' guarantee on the brake pads. It is however conditional - ''provided you authorise all work identified as being required during your brake safe inspection''.
You submit the vehicle to a brake inspection beforehand. They will inspect and advise on disk thickness, pad/shoe wear and drum wear and the integrity of the cylinders and calipers.
Keep yopur wits about you at this point.