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Upgrading Brakes. Need Some Input.

5832 Views 21 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  21474
I took my car in for my 30k check-up and they told me i needed to replace my brake pads and rotors ASAP because my pads are worn and my rotors rusted. They wanted $900+ to replace all 4 pads and rotors.

Instead of paying $900 for OEM I figured I'd look into some nicer brakes that would hopefully last more than 30k miles. I've seen Rotora and a few other brands but I'm looking for the most bang for my buck without going to a big brake kit since I'm only on 16s.

Does anyone have any input?
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I call BS on the shop. Your pads and rotors should not be worn out at 30k miles. Take it to another shop, have them check it, and see what they say.
Rotors are rusted? Lmfao!!!!!!

They always rust on the edges. I mean....they do contain iron. ;)

I agree with greg. Always get a second opinion.

sent from my DroidX with HFD Power!!
Ok. I haven't gone for my second opinion yet, but in the event that they do recommend replacement, what rotros and pads should I look at? I'm looking for rotors that look nice and work well and pads that are gonna out-stop the OEM pads. Any ideas?
You can get replacement OEM rotors at Autozone for $41.99 each. Add another $40-50 for pads and you save about $800 from your BS quote. You probably don't need to have the rear drum pads changed for quite some time so you're only dealing with the front rotors. You can easily change them yourself and install the new pads; check the DIY section for some easy to follow how to do it yourself instructions. Also, if you want to increase your stopping power, I'd save money on the fancy rotors and pads and upgrade to stainless steel braided brake lines front and rear. You're looking at probably $110 to do this, but definitely the best bang for your buck.

Brake Rotor Install - Scionlife.com
How to Install Brakes on a Scion Xb | eHow.com
I took my car in for my 30k check-up and they told me i needed to replace my brake pads and rotors ASAP because my pads are worn and my rotors rusted. They wanted $900+ to replace all 4 pads and rotors.

Instead of paying $900 for OEM I figured I'd look into some nicer brakes that would hopefully last more than 30k miles. I've seen Rotora and a few other brands but I'm looking for the most bang for my buck without going to a big brake kit since I'm only on 16s.

Does anyone have any input?
I just went with EBC Sport brakes. Drilled and slotted with EBC Red stuff pads, Fornts were $300 for parts, Rears I'll be doing this summer, but cost slightly less. I love the brakes, and the stopping distance has been cut by a third with the fronts alone...
I looked at some of the info you guys gave me.

xseveredveganx:
That looks like an amazing price, especially cuz the kit includes the brake lines. I just saw that some people were a little underwhelmed by the posi-quiet pads. Not unhappy, a few just felt they were stopping like OEM.

awinter:
That was posssibly the most useful DIY I've seen in a while. Thank you for that.

BlackKnight:
Where did you order EBC brakes for $300 for the front? I couldn't find em for any less than $400 anywhere if I was reading correctly.

Thanks guys!
BlackKnight:
Where did you order EBC brakes for $300 for the front? I couldn't find em for any less than $400 anywhere if I was reading correctly.

Thanks guys!
I got them at AutoAccessoriesGarage.com - Auto Accessories, Car & Truck Accessories, Aftermarket Performance Parts

The price for Front Rotors (Sold in Pairs, unlike alot of other manufacturers) was $225
(Link for Front and Back Rotors => 2008 Scion xB EBC Rotors, EBC Sport Rotors, EBC Brake Rotors, EBC Brakes )

Red Stuff Pads were $105
(Link for both front and back prices => 2008 Scion xB EBC Red Stuff Brake Pads, EBC Redstuff Brake Pads )

Prices include shipping, but expect 1-2 weeks till they are in your hands.

You can take a look at my Me.com photo library => MobileMe Gallery

Bob..
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I plan on doing the backs this summer, but they can wait a little bit. there is practically no wear on them..
Oh, and I'm painting the rotors vry soon also. I picked up a nice red, and I'm going to dig up the hitemp stickers I saw a while back(they say Scion on them).
I plan on doing the backs this summer, but they can wait a little bit. there is practically no wear on them..
I would be careful with the red stuffs on the rear. I did a full swap to red stuff pads a while ago and the rears were completely worn with-in 8000 miles. No idea why or how as the calipers were fine and when I swapped to different pads they worked great.
So what I've kinda decided here is the EBC Sport Rotors BlackKnight used and the Rotora H2 Ceramic pads. For the price, I don't feel like I can beat that. It would be $439.95 shipped for the rotors and $292 for the pads. Maybe I'll pick up some stainless steel braided brake lines, too.
Maybe I'll pick up some stainless steel braided brake lines, too.
Check with Pasquale on Scion Life, He makes Stainless brake lines in Custom colors, Cheaper and better than what you can get comercially. You can see some Pics in this forum thread, and PM him for the prices. Tell him BlackKnight sent ya...

Gen2 Bolt Kits - Scionlife.com
Alright I contacted him, let's see what he says! Thanks BlackKnight.
Alright, so with a few promo codes and after talking to Pasquale, I'm gonna be coming in at $634.97 + shipping for EBC Sport Slotted and Drilled Rotors, Rotora H2 Ceramic Brake Pads and custom braided stainless steel brake lines in black and blue. I have some Eastwood Caliper Paint sitting in my kitchen and with a little time and elbow grease, I'll have some brakes that look great and work beautifully!
Summit Racing has the EBS slotted rotors and red stuff for $225 for the rotors and $50 or so for the pads and they ship everything for like $10. When my brakes get worn down, I will replace mine with these.

Yoda
Alright, so with a few promo codes and after talking to Pasquale, I'm gonna be coming in at $634.97 + shipping for EBC Sport Slotted and Drilled Rotors, Rotora H2 Ceramic Brake Pads and custom braided stainless steel brake lines in black and blue. I have some Eastwood Caliper Paint sitting in my kitchen and with a little time and elbow grease, I'll have some brakes that look great and work beautifully!
Sounds like a great upgrade :)

I just finished my Calipers (front so far) this past weekend. The only thing I'm missing out of your list is the Stainless lines from Pasquale. I should be getting them in early this summer..
Yoda, is that $225 a pair or for all 4?

And we're glad you could help, too Pasquale!
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