Here's a good one, looking for insight. Because of constant squealing recently from the rear brake pads, I took the LS into the dealer for an inspection (BTW they now charge $90.00 for brake pad inspections!!! ). I was informed that all was okay and that I had 50% of the pad left.

What is interesting is that I changed the rear pads in January 2000 @ 40000 miles, so 2 1/2 years, 35000 miles later I have only used half the pads. And they tell me that they should be good for another 30-40000 miles.

Since this is roughtly 80000 miles out of a set of FACTORY pads, I am wondering if there is something wrong with the rear calipers.

Anyone have ideas? Or should I be applying to the guiness bood of world records.

 

I'd like to add that I was amazed that I got 40000 out of the original pads considering that on my other cars I have been lucky to get 20000 miles!

 

The TRAC system doesn't often activate the rear brakes down there does it?

Front brakes tyically do 80% of the work and last for 20 to 25k miles in my experience. Rear brakes with equal pad area and no Trac activity and doing only 20% of the work should therefore last 80 to 100k miles.

You can oftentimes cure the brake pad squealing problem by chamferring the pad's leading and trailing edges by about 30 degrees.

 

Like wwest said, front pads are the ones to wear at a much quicker pace then rear.

When you brake your car always dips down in the front and up in the rear putting more strain on the front pads plus the weight of the engine.

 

Obviously that does make sense, but I am lucky if I get more than 15000 out of the front pads.

Anyhow I was surprised because of my other cars going through rear pads every 20000 miles.

But thanks for the input. I take you have had pads last 80-100000 miles?

 

Was quoted $125.00 to do this at the dealer and declined. Actually have not been particularly thrilled with the recent price hikes there either.

90.00 to tell me that my rear pads were okay???