tw0manri0t

Looking to sell my car once I make the drive from LA to SF (moving for work). Over the past 6 months I've noticed significant vibrations when breaking at higher speeds. I'm assuming my rotors are warped. I was thinking of getting a full front and rear brake/rotor replacement before the drive to SF and also before I sell it (assuming I would get dinged on buyout price given this issue is super noticeable when driving at any speed). Any recommendations on which brakes and rotors to buy that wouldn't cost me a fortune? Anyone in LA know of a good shop to take my car to? Hoping you all have some recs handy. Thanks!

BreezyTL

iTrader: (8)

Some simple StopTechs would suit your needs. Do you know how to do them yourself? It will save you at least another $200-$250 depending on shop fees.

https://www.endlessrpm.com/stoptech-...-tl-automatic/

tw0manri0t

Not super handy with cars, so I'd be taking it into a shop. Is this your website? Assume stoptech is a reputable brand?

MyGuti

that is not his website and yes stoptech is a reputable brand.
if your selling the car, go through rockauto and save yourself a bunch of money.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Agreed, go the RockAuto.com route and save a bunch of money; semi-metallic pads can be had for about $13 and a set of rotors can be had for about $32. Do the work yourself and the entire front end brake job will cost you less than $60 (including shipping charges and other incidentals).

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Usually the front rotors become out of tolerance and you might want to try the cheap way first. Get some metallic pads for the front and just install them.
Most of the time, the hard metallic pads will actually remove the buildup and the pulsation will be gone.

tw0manri0t

Appreciate your suggestion. Should I only do my front end brakes or should I do front and rear? I think on rockauto I can buy the complete set for ~$100 + whatever the labor would cost.

Would this be the right set? https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...40497&jsn=1050

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

If you want to purchase ceramic pads/rotors for all 4 corners, they're for the TL.

tw0manri0t

I'm not sure the difference. $100 for the entire set of front and back rotors and brake pads seems like a good price. Is there another option i should be looking at?

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Don't muck around with ceramic pads, even cheap semi-metallic pads will have better initial bite than most high dollar ceramics. As for cheap ceramic pads, just say no.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

As he seemed to disregard my $12 metallic pad install to remove buildup, just agreed with his choice, but as he stated he will sell the car,
don't know why he wouldn't purchase the cheapest parts available, all could be had for @ $50.

tw0manri0t

I'm down for that recommendation but I don't believe my issue is rotor build-up. I believe my rotors are warped which would require replacement (i've already had them re-surfaced once.

thoiboi

Soooooo you don't listen to what people who are arguably more experienced than you because...?

tw0manri0t

First, thank you all for the advice and whipping me into shape.

Took my car in for a brake inspection and it's confirmed that my brake pads (front and back) should be replaced, and my front rotors are warped and need to be replaced. I'm looking at these from rockauto. Found a reputable mechanic who will handle the labor if I buy the parts. Are there any other parts I would need to purchase before buying? Below is what I'm looking at purchasing.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

Use 11029428888182531 in "how did you hear abut us" and get a 5% discount.

tw0manri0t

Appreciate it! So those parts are all I'll need?

TheSauceBoss

In theory, yes. Though the underlying cause for your rotors warping could still be there - such as a sticky piston in your caliper. But if you're simply getting the car road-worthy to sell, I would say what you have in your cart is fine.

I don't mean to pressure you out of your comfort zone, but brake pad and rotor replacement is a very common DIY fix, and is more than doable for a first-timer. Granted, you may need to find or borrow some floor jacks, but there aren't really any specialized tools needed for this job. Hell, there's a video right here of the exact job you want to do.
Even if you buy the parts, a dealership or shop would have no problem charging you hundreds of dollars for something that can be done in a saturday morning. Just my two cents.

BreezyTL

iTrader: (8)

IIRC, all you need is a 12mm, 14mm, 19mm, jack, stands, 6"-8" c-clamp, and wire brush. If all goes right I could have them done in 1.5 hours at a steady pace.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Don't forget the special Philips head bit for the stupid set-screws.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

There's the problem for the novice. That might take him 1.5 hours just getting them out!

BreezyTL

iTrader: (8)

Impact Screw Driver works great, once you get them out throw them in the trash!!

tw0manri0t

Appreciate all the help. If I wasn't moving next week I'd probably give it a go but spending a morning trying to do this myself will likely cause more grief for me than anything else. I found a solid mechanic by my office who gave me a quick quote for the work and said it would only take an hour or so. Parts were super cheap (no idea how a mechanic can get away with charging $400+ for just the front rotor/brake replacement). Any way, parts arrive from Rock Auto today and will be scheduling the work for Monday. Should get me up to SF safely and then off to sell it. Thanks again everyone!

truonghthe

if I can charge $400 for a front brake job, I will be quitting my job lol.

tw0manri0t

Come to Los Angeles. Called 2 independent, highly rated shops and both quoted me over $400 for front brake/rotor replacement (granted it was with OEM parts).

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Ahhh, my bad, I thought the $400 was with you providing your own parts and just paying the shop for labor.

def04TL

Not your average mechanic but have own 3G TL's over 10 years. I recently picked up and 07 TL which had been sitting at least a year or two. I'll know tomorrow if my leap of faith panned out or not. Anyway, I was looking at RockAuto website but not too comfortable knowing exact part numbers for descent front/rear pads, rotors and calibers. All I plan do to is get the car in good working condition and sale it. Any recommendations which parts to go with?

Thanks,
Dan

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Assuming you picked the TL model with the correct engine size, 3.2 liter for the base TL and 3.5 liter for the Type-S TL, then all of the brake sets will work for your car. For my part, I am a fan of Centric blank rotors with the painted hats and semi-metallic organic pads.

def04TL

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it.