Brake maintenance - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Nate76 · 02-16-2015, 08:30 PM

The dealership recommended that I get the brake maintenance done at an oil change visit. This was a fairly expensive job for just checking and cleaning the brakes. They say it prolongs the life of the brakes, but is it worth it? Would I be better off saving that money and just putting it towards replacing the pads (even if it came a little earlier)? Looking for some brake maintenance advice, or any do's and don'ts in dealer regarding any Maintenance the dealer recommends.

Bizaro · 02-16-2015, 08:33 PM

its just another bullshit service from the dealer save your money.

two_wheel_mayhem · 02-16-2015, 08:37 PM

Blow the dust out of the calipers with compressed air and clean the pistons with brake cleaner. You can do this withot removing the caliper.

It helps keep them working well.

KaBoom1701 · 02-16-2015, 09:00 PM

What exactly would they do to your brakes?

MLAZ1990 · 02-16-2015, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizaro

its just another bullshit service from the dealer save your money.

two_wheel_mayhem · 02-16-2015, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaBoom1701

What exactly would they do to your brakes?

The caliper pistons get sticky when they get a bunch of dust caked around them. Brembos are especially prone to this and the will start dragging.

So you should clean them every once in a while.

Mando2776 · 02-16-2015, 09:40 PM

Use brake cleaner, and give it a good wash around the calipers.

GVA 45TH 2SS · 02-17-2015, 06:32 AM

If you have a LS3 you should flush the fluid and bleed the system every so often. Since the clutch and ABS share the same reservoir. Maybe that's what they meant.

Red2014SS · 02-17-2015, 07:54 AM

I think every car should get the brake fluid changed every two years. It really makes a difference in braking feel and power. I started doing it on my Harley years ago and it made a believer out of me.

KaBoom1701 · 02-17-2015, 08:23 AM

I agree.

The brake fluid flush is the only thing that should be done based on how much your drive or track your car.

Scalded Dog · 02-17-2015, 09:53 AM

Tip o' the day: Before getting rotors turned/ resurfaced, check to see what the price of brand new ones is. For example, on my Suburban, turning the rotors (which would result in thinner rotors, consisting of my old, heap- warped- over- time- metal, costs about four times the price of a pair of brand- spankin' new rotors.

Also, if you've got any propensity at all for turning a wrench, changing brake pads is easy as pie. The prices brake shops, dealers, Manny, Moe, and Jerk, or any shop charge for new pads is ridiculous. If you are willing to get a little dirty, and spend an hour inside your fenderwell, you can save a LOT of $$$. Personal preference, sure, as some folks don't want to do this, but, IF you are, brake maintenance/ repair is one of the easier jobs to do.

The dealer will sell you Fetzer Valve rebuilds, Ignition Bearing Fluid Filters, and $45 wiper blades all day long... as long as you let them suggest things that you are willing to shovel over money for, they'll keep coming up with things like that. They don't love you, or care about you, or lay awake at night worrying about your safety: They exist solely to exact the highest amount of money out of your account and into theirs.

And "brake maintenance" sounds pretty lucrative for them... especially given that there's nothing wrong with your brakes.

MissyTx · 02-17-2015, 05:52 PM

Best comment on the this thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

Tip o' the day: Before getting rotors turned/ resurfaced, check to see what the price of brand new ones is. For example, on my Suburban, turning the rotors (which would result in thinner rotors, consisting of my old, heap- warped- over- time- metal, costs about four times the price of a pair of brand- spankin' new rotors.

Also, if you've got any propensity at all for turning a wrench, changing brake pads is easy as pie. The prices brake shops, dealers, Manny, Moe, and Jerk, or any shop charge for new pads is ridiculous. If you are willing to get a little dirty, and spend an hour inside your fenderwell, you can save a LOT of $$$. Personal preference, sure, as some folks don't want to do this, but, IF you are, brake maintenance/ repair is one of the easier jobs to do.

The dealer will sell you Fetzer Valve rebuilds, Ignition Bearing Fluid Filters, and $45 wiper blades all day long... as long as you let them suggest things that you are willing to shovel over money for, they'll keep coming up with things like that. They don't love you, or care about you, or lay awake at night worrying about your safety: They exist solely to exact the highest amount of money out of your account and into theirs.

And "brake maintenance" sounds pretty lucrative for them... especially given that there's nothing wrong with your brakes.

happycamper · 02-17-2015, 06:07 PM

I have a brake shop flush my clutch & brake lines every 2 yes for $40. I'm a DIY guy but the LS3 clutch isnt easy to reach. BTW, at 30k miles, they said my pads were only 25% gone.

Chevy_cowboy · 02-17-2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

Tip o' the day: Before getting rotors turned/ resurfaced, check to see what the price of brand new ones is. For example, on my Suburban, turning the rotors (which would result in thinner rotors, consisting of my old, heap- warped- over- time- metal, costs about four times the price of a pair of brand- spankin' new rotors.

Also, if you've got any propensity at all for turning a wrench, changing brake pads is easy as pie. The prices brake shops, dealers, Manny, Moe, and Jerk, or any shop charge for new pads is ridiculous. If you are willing to get a little dirty, and spend an hour inside your fenderwell, you can save a LOT of $$$. Personal preference, sure, as some folks don't want to do this, but, IF you are, brake maintenance/ repair is one of the easier jobs to do.

The dealer will sell you Fetzer Valve rebuilds, Ignition Bearing Fluid Filters, and $45 wiper blades all day long... as long as you let them suggest things that you are willing to shovel over money for, they'll keep coming up with things like that. They don't love you, or care about you, or lay awake at night worrying about your safety: They exist solely to exact the highest amount of money out of your account and into theirs.

And "brake maintenance" sounds pretty lucrative for them... especially given that there's nothing wrong with your brakes.

I agree with your overall point, but I'm baffled by the math there, either you got a smoking good deal on rotors or someone was trying to really rip ya off on turning them. 10-15 each is what it costs around here, that would put your rotors at < $5 each

Also make sure you're buying quality rotors, new isn't always better if you're downgrading from OEM stuff to cheap crap from Autozone.

02-16-2015, 08:30 PM	#1
Nate76 Drives: 2022 2SS Convertible Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 96	Brake maintenance The dealership recommended that I get the brake maintenance done at an oil change visit. This was a fairly expensive job for just checking and cleaning the brakes. They say it prolongs the life of the brakes, but is it worth it? Would I be better off saving that money and just putting it towards replacing the pads (even if it came a little earlier)? Looking for some brake maintenance advice, or any do's and don'ts in dealer regarding any Maintenance the dealer recommends.

02-16-2015, 08:37 PM	#3
two_wheel_mayhem Would rather be riding Drives: No car no more Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,750	Blow the dust out of the calipers with compressed air and clean the pistons with brake cleaner. You can do this withot removing the caliper. It helps keep them working well. __________________ No dog in this fight anymore. 5th Gen owner 2009-2016.

02-16-2015, 09:00 PM	#4
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	What exactly would they do to your brakes? __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

02-17-2015, 07:54 AM	#9
Red2014SS Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Kentucky Posts: 2,421	I think every car should get the brake fluid changed every two years. It really makes a difference in braking feel and power. I started doing it on my Harley years ago and it made a believer out of me. __________________ 2014 2SS/RS, L99, SW LTH w/HF Cats, GMPP Ex. Z/28 CAI, FR41s in PVD Black Chrome, Recaros, Pfadt Sway 377hp, 383tq 12.739@110.44 MPH

02-17-2015, 08:23 AM	#10
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	I agree. The brake fluid flush is the only thing that should be done based on how much your drive or track your car. __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

02-16-2015, 08:33 PM	#2
Bizaro Account Suspended Drives: 2015 Redhot 1LE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Westchester NY Posts: 1,409	its just another bullshit service from the dealer save your money.

02-16-2015, 09:40 PM	#7
Mando2776 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northridge, CA Posts: 370	Use brake cleaner, and give it a good wash around the calipers.

02-17-2015, 06:32 AM	#8
GVA 45TH 2SS KNGTFALL Drives: 2012 2SS 45th edition Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: (Near) Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,533	If you have a LS3 you should flush the fluid and bleed the system every so often. Since the clutch and ABS share the same reservoir. Maybe that's what they meant.

02-17-2015, 09:53 AM	#11
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	Tip o' the day: Before getting rotors turned/ resurfaced, check to see what the price of brand new ones is. For example, on my Suburban, turning the rotors (which would result in thinner rotors, consisting of my old, heap- warped- over- time- metal, costs about four times the price of a pair of brand- spankin' new rotors. Also, if you've got any propensity at all for turning a wrench, changing brake pads is easy as pie. The prices brake shops, dealers, Manny, Moe, and Jerk, or any shop charge for new pads is ridiculous. If you are willing to get a little dirty, and spend an hour inside your fenderwell, you can save a LOT of $$$. Personal preference, sure, as some folks don't want to do this, but, IF you are, brake maintenance/ repair is one of the easier jobs to do. The dealer will sell you Fetzer Valve rebuilds, Ignition Bearing Fluid Filters, and $45 wiper blades all day long... as long as you let them suggest things that you are willing to shovel over money for, they'll keep coming up with things like that. They don't love you, or care about you, or lay awake at night worrying about your safety: They exist solely to exact the highest amount of money out of your account and into theirs. And "brake maintenance" sounds pretty lucrative for them... especially given that there's nothing wrong with your brakes.

02-17-2015, 06:07 PM	#13
happycamper Drives: 2012 2SS/RS M6 AGM Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 221	I have a brake shop flush my clutch & brake lines every 2 yes for $40. I'm a DIY guy but the LS3 clutch isnt easy to reach. BTW, at 30k miles, they said my pads were only 25% gone. __________________ Ashen Gray Metallic w/factory Hurst shifter Previous: 2011 2LT/RS M6