Need urgent help with a question about the brakes

2051 Views 35 Replies 14 Participants Last post by DodgeFL, 6 mo ago

d3v

Discussion Starter · 6 mo ago

Hi all.

Please help me find the truth. Front brake pads are almost completely worn out at 8500 mileage, rear ones are still alive. Called the dealer, and he sent back some crazy quote for $5500. I'm speechless. I assume the dealer is trying to trick me into replacing the brake pads and rotors all around (I don't think I need to replace the rotors). However, I got the part numbers from that quote and started looking for them myself. Found that the front brake pads are around $500 and the rear pads are around $400, which means replacing all the pads would come out to about $1K just for parts, not including labor.

I'm asking for advice from the community. What's the best thing for me to do in this situation, so I don't overpay?

Part numbers:
68501808AA
68525329AB

VIN: 2C3CDZFJ9MH658685

Thanks!

21 - 36 of 36 Posts

Wm. Internet Rock DJ

· #21 · 6 mo ago

In other words its describing the driving habits, and some do take their Challengers to the Track Road Course or Drag Strip, others will race them on the Streets, etc.,
Ride them hard they wear out fast regardless but something still does not add up with that fast of a wear 1 year old vehicle etc., Again best answer to help is get it to a Reputable Shop or Dealer for an Inspection but they too need to know your driving habits to help get to the bottom of it before you dump a ton of cash just cause some jerk at a Dealership just throws numbers at something without looking. Wish you luck and getting it resolved.

Reactions: 1

d3v

Discussion Starter · #22 · 6 mo ago

Thanks for the good wishes. I honestly didn't think that the fairly routine task of changing pads would turn into such a stressful and quest for alternatives.

Dodgeguy

· #23 · 6 mo ago

d3v said:
I want to figure out what we mean by "tracking." I don't drive on the track itself, only city/highway. But in terms of car modes, I don't like "auto", I drive in "track mode" all the time.

Who diagnosed your brakes are almost gone at 8500 miles?

d3v

Discussion Starter · #24 · 6 mo ago

Dodgeguy said:
Who diagnosed your brakes are almost gone at 8500 miles?

Automotive lighting Hood Motor vehicle Automotive tire Automotive design

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gtbigup

· #25 · 6 mo ago

d3v said:
2021 R/T Scat Pack Shaker Widebody. Yes, I looked at PowerStop, and even called them and was told they had nothing to offer me for the 2021 model year.

I can't say, I have nothing to compare it with. I drive quite aggressively, but only in the city.

Ok well I keep hearing everyone keep stating its a heavy car, but since I'm coming from full sized pickup trucks I don't buy that excuse. They're either really crappy pads or people just a lot of burnouts. Since mine only has 1,500 miles on it I'll have to wait to see what they look like at xxxxx mileage.

For example I replaced my pads on my 2020 Nissan Titan on labor day weekend. At the time, the truck had 70,000 miles on it since I purchased it new. When I pulled the pads out and compared it with the factory replacement I purchased I thought it was a complete waste of time 😆. They didn't look much thinner than the new ones. Oh well, it's called preventive maintenance. The truck was my daily driver to work 106 miles per day plus any running to lunch, gym, store etc.
All that to say I have a difficult time buying into the "its a heavy car" comments I've seen others make in reference to brake pads wear.

Reactions: 1

d3v

Discussion Starter · #26 · 6 mo ago

gtbigup said:
Ok well I keep hearing everyone keep stating its a heavy car, but since I'm coming from full sized pickup trucks I don't buy that excuse. They're either really crappy pads or people just a lot of burnouts. Since mine only has 1,500 miles on it I'll have to wait to see what they look like at xxxxx mileage.

For example I replaced my pads on my 2020 Nissan Titan on labor day weekend. At the time, the truck had 70,000 miles on it since I purchased it new. When I pulled the pads out and compared it with the factory replacement I purchased I thought it was a complete waste of time 😆. They didn't look much thinner than the new ones. Oh well, it's called preventive maintenance. The truck was my daily driver to work 106 miles per day plus any running to lunch, gym, store etc.
All that to say I have a difficult time buying into the "its a heavy car" comments I've seen others make in reference to brake pads wear.

I don't know what's wrong with them. Can't say it was super aggressive 8500 miles. I just can't, that's all. I've seen guys who ride a lot tougher than me and don't have these problems. That's why we have what we have. I don't know what else to add here.

Reactions: 1

ArchGE

· #27 · 6 mo ago

Rotors I bet are fine. I used to track mine so got pretty good at speedy pad changes. Jacking up, removing tires and cleaning around the calipers takes more time than installing new pads. Maybe 10 mins. per wheel.

Reactions: 1

Gila Hemi

· #28 · 6 mo ago

When I had the brakes done by the dealership on my 3/4 ton Ram Longbed, with about 150,000 miles on it, it cost me a tad under $1,000 for the work, including parts. The job included new front rotors and Dodge's best heavy duty brake pads.

AZBEESCAT

· #29 · 6 mo ago

I would change the pads yourself. There should be plenty of threads in various forums or YouTube how to change them.

I have changed pads on my trucks and cars before, not on any Brembo equipped cars but I imagine it can't be to difficult or that much difference....guess I'll find out one day!

Reactions: 2

Rockster

· #30 · 6 mo ago

gtbigup said:
Ok well I keep hearing everyone keep stating its a heavy car, but since I'm coming from full sized pickup trucks I don't buy that excuse. They're either really crappy pads or people just a lot of burnouts. Since mine only has 1,500 miles on it I'll have to wait to see what they look like at xxxxx mileage.

For example I replaced my pads on my 2020 Nissan Titan on labor day weekend. At the time, the truck had 70,000 miles on it since I purchased it new. When I pulled the pads out and compared it with the factory replacement I purchased I thought it was a complete waste of time 😆. They didn't look much thinner than the new ones. Oh well, it's called preventive maintenance. The truck was my daily driver to work 106 miles per day plus any running to lunch, gym, store etc.
All that to say I have a difficult time buying into the "its a heavy car" comments I've seen others make in reference to brake pads wear.

I note the front brake rotors on my Hellcat were showing quite a "lip" at 27.5K miles. When I traded in the car Nov. 2020 for a new Scat Pack the dealer told me it would replace the Hellcat front brake rotors and pads to "recondition" the car prior to resale.

By way of comparison the front brakes of my 2003 Porsche 996 Turbo lasted to around 150K miles.

(And when I had the front brakes done, I believe around September of 2017, at the local Porsche dealer, it cost around $1200, parts and labor.)

The Hellcat weighed in at around 4600lbs. The Turbo weighed in at around 3500lbs. (The Scat Pack weighed in at around 4200lbs.)

Both the Turbo before it and later the Hellcat were driven the same way.

Besides the substantial weight difference the Turbo was equipped with a 6-speed manual. This resulted in a good degree of engine braking which reduced the brake use. I didn't downshift to slow the car -- brakes are cheaper than clutches and while I had to replace the front brakes the clutch was still original and in good condition when I sold the Turbo with 161K miles on it -- but I would lift off the gas and the car would slow quite a bit.

By way of comparison lifting off the gas in the Hellcat with its A8 there was no where near the degree of slowing of the car from engine braking. And as was my habit with my manual transmission cars I didn't down shift the Hellcat's automatic. A clutch is expensive enough. I'd hate to think what a new A8 would cost. Way way more than a set of brakes I'm sure.

Might mention with my 2020 Scat Pack and its 6-speed manual in spite of its considerable weight (as I noted above around 4200lbs) engine braking was quite good. I suspect the Scat Pack brakes would have easily outlasted the Hellcat's brakes with the same usage.

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Rockster

· #31 · 6 mo ago

d3v said:
Thanks for the good wishes. I honestly didn't think that the fairly routine task of changing pads would turn into such a stressful and quest for alternatives.

Have never done the brakes on any of my Challengers. I have done the brakes on other cars. It is not hard. One wants to be sure he has all the parts necessary and has a good selection of the proper tools. The caliper bolts can sometimes be a bit of work to remove. But so too can be the little screws that hold the brake rotor/hat to the hub to keep this snug when the wheel is removed. (I have seen videos of these screws being tightened down like they were expected to really hold the brake rotor from moving when braking. You can be sure come time to remove these screws they'll be a real bear.)

When I do brakes I do one wheel at a time. But I have the car lifted up and both wheels of the axle removed. I use the other side for reference to be sure I get everything put back together properly.

But I have used factory brake hardware.

You are complicating the brake job by seeking an alternative to factory parts and seeking a less expensive alternative to factory parts.

I would have to believe some of these models are not sold in sufficient numbers to justify the cost of developing/offering aftermarket brake parts.

But I also note you have a pretty late model car. With it needing brakes so soon, at so low of miles, it could be you just need brakes before the aftermarket has come up with any alternatives.

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dodge man2

· #32 · 6 mo ago

If that’s a picture of your brakes yes they are badly worn. I’d let someone work on it other than the dealer, find a trusted shop.

Wm. Internet Rock DJ

· #33 · 6 mo ago

We can all throw things at thism, would be best to get a good Shop to Inspect it first then guessing and buying stuff.
BTW you should clean those Calipers once in a While low pressure air , wash etc.,

emichael

· #34 · 6 mo ago

d3v said:
Thanks for the good wishes. I honestly didn't think that the fairly routine task of changing pads would turn into such a stressful and quest for alternatives.

My stock pads lasted less than 1000 miles....before I switched them to the Powerstop pads. Far less dust. Just being logical here...since the OEM pads produce significantly more dust, and that dust has to come from somewhere, therefore it seems that means the OEM pads would not last that long.

I have done brake jobs on a variety of vehicles. The Brembo brakes are different than OEM brakes. However, they are also a quite ingenious design. Swapping pads is incredibly simple. Simple to the point of literally being able to swap them at the track for race day, and put the street pads back in for the drive home.

Reactions: 1

liljay66

· #35 · 6 mo ago

d3v said:
Hi all.

Please help me find the truth. Front brake pads are almost completely worn out at 8500 mileage, rear ones are still alive. Called the dealer, and he sent back some crazy quote for $5500. I'm speechless. I assume the dealer is trying to trick me into replacing the brake pads and rotors all around (I don't think I need to replace the rotors). However, I got the part numbers from that quote and started looking for them myself. Found that the front brake pads are around $500 and the rear pads are around $400, which means replacing all the pads would come out to about $1K just for parts, not including labor.

I'm asking for advice from the community. What's the best thing for me to do in this situation, so I don't overpay?

Part numbers:
68501808AA
68525329AB

VIN: 2C3CDZFJ9MH658685

Thanks!

Willing to bet you that your pads are not worn to place of replacement. Take look for yourself if you haven’t. You can get a front and rear kit including rotors for 600 dollars. (Power stop drilled and slotted). Four piston. Check Rock Auto.

DodgeFL

· #36 · 6 mo ago

The Brembo 6 caliper pads are 2-3x more expensive than the 4 calipers pads as research will show. Coasting up to a stop saves wear and tear on brakes. You can tell how a car is driven by looking at the front rotors, if they have heavy score marks on them, well that is a sign of a heavy foot .

21 - 36 of 36 Posts