Dealership being shady with people who don't know cars...

[DanHoo]

@JKalchik i hear what you are saying.

My comment was to share one of my cars surprised me how quickly rear pads wore out.

I typically change front pads and check the rear when doing the front. Often the rears last 3x longer. I don't recall which car had the rear pads wear out before the fronts.

I steer clear of dealers for repairs if possible.

 

[LMichaels]

Sadly I think dealers get a bum rap just because they're dealers. Though one thing I have seen after working in many dealer is the "front end" of the store is a reflection of the "back end". IOW if the front end is operated or tolerates people who operate like a bunch of Ali Babba's thieves then the service dept will reflect that. Bottom line is if I won't trade in the front of the store I certainly will not trade in the back. Another case in point. I like Hondas but the local Honda dealer is a totally dishonest bunch of thieves. So, sadly I won't bother buying a Honda because the nearest trustworthy dealer is 35 miles away in Crystal Lake IL. Really nice honest store. Just too far.

 

[ChuckO]

Brakes are for woosies

 

[timothy]

I remember when the MIL go too old to drive she sold her car to our oldest Son.
In the glove box was like 5 or 6 Lifetime brake/muffler warranties from the same local big name muffler and brake shop.
Man talk about taking advantage of a senior citizen on limited income. They heard about it from us but they blamed it on bad filing on the previous manager/s??

 

[John_NJ]

Maybe an alarmist headline, but it relates to some of what has been said here.

Fwiw

Why It’s Impossible to Get Your Car Repaired This Summer

A shortage of parts and technicians, more complex auto technology, and older cars on the road are creating a perfect storm; Ford and GM are concerned.

www.wsj.com

Why It’s Impossible to Get Your Car Repaired This Summer​

Across the U.S., a shortage of car parts in the past few years has collided with a continuing dearth of service technicians. The result: more frustrated customers, who are waiting longer to get their cars back, and paying more for service.

The backlog risks becoming a drag on the U.S. economy as higher repair costs prompt consumers to cut back spending elsewhere, or simply not having a working car curtails their mobility and productivity. A swath of service industries are facing labor shortages, from home construction to restaurants, appliance repair to trucking.

 

[GaryP]

Maybe an alarmist headline, but it relates to some of what has been said here.

Fwiw

Why It’s Impossible to Get Your Car Repaired This Summer

A shortage of parts and technicians, more complex auto technology, and older cars on the road are creating a perfect storm; Ford and GM are concerned.

www.wsj.com

Why It’s Impossible to Get Your Car Repaired This Summer​

Across the U.S., a shortage of car parts in the past few years has collided with a continuing dearth of service technicians. The result: more frustrated customers, who are waiting longer to get their cars back, and paying more for service.

The backlog risks becoming a drag on the U.S. economy as higher repair costs prompt consumers to cut back spending elsewhere, or simply not having a working car curtails their mobility and productivity. A swath of service industries are facing labor shortages, from home construction to restaurants, appliance repair to trucking.

Without getting into specific stories, this is 100% correct. Seems like every job we get in has a part on backorder with no eta. Have a couple vehicles waiting on parts since October. Customers are pissed, and I don't blame them.

And finding even remotely qualified techs is very hard. I'm 42 and I'm the young guy in the shop. By a lot. Going to get worse as the older guys retire.

 

[Brett-EDH]

And finding even remotely qualified techs is very hard. I'm 42 and I'm the young guy in the shop. By a lot. Going to get worse as the older guys retire.

This is the same issue in many industries. I’ve been hiring and firing for a year now. Gone through 3 people. All of whom were incapable of working and being successful. It’s the worst candidate pool I’ve ever seen in my life. And I’m ten years your senior.

 

[Scott Smith]

More than probably anything, brake life is influenced by driving style. I ride a bike more than I drive and find myself constantly looking for ways to conserve momentum and not use the brakes. I do the same in the car - always looking very far down the road to see if I need to stop for a light, etc. Aggressive city drivers probably go through eight times as many brakes as I do.

 

[LMichaels]

More than probably anything, brake life is influenced by driving style. I ride a bike more than I drive and find myself constantly looking for ways to conserve momentum and not use the brakes. I do the same in the car - always looking very far down the road to see if I need to stop for a light, etc. Aggressive city drivers probably go through eight times as many brakes as I do.

Because we have a hybrid when I am allowed to drive it that is what I do. But, I have always been one who does not drag on my brakes and coasts whenever possible without bugging folks behind me

 

[BFletcher]

without bugging folks behind me

You're a hero.

 

[JKalchik]

But, I have always been one who does not drag on my brakes and coasts whenever possible without bugging folks behind me

This is a skill that is sadly not being learned by the next generations. And.... may be a bit dangerous to those of us who do because the drivers behind us are not paying sufficient attention.

I'm ears deep in a rear wheel seal issue on my pickup. Seals, emergency brake shoes & hardware kits, along with replacement caliper adapter brackets (glide pins are gummed up hard,) have all been pretty easy to acquire. I just need to find the time to get outside and fix it.