20Expy
Active Member
Hello everyone,
I'm new to this forum/community and appreciate you all!
The problem with the brakes started on the 2nd year of ownership of our 2020 Expy Max (bought Dec of 2019). It started to vibrate under light to moderate braking from highway speeds (probably when rotors were cold). We for some reason didn't think much about it and stupidly didn't claim it under warranty when it hasn't yet expired. Plus, it only happens occasionally and during that time we were going back and forth with the dealer about the 21N08 cam phaser rattle recall for like months, so we had enough of visiting the dealer.
The vibration under braking went on both while manual braking AND while using adaptive cruise (we use it a lot, don't know if that has anything to do with it), but only occasionally and from the conditions I said above, so we just dealt with it until beginning of 2023, where we requested a brake fluid change (according to owners manual: every 3 years). Then, the dealer quoted us 2k for pads and rotors, because they are "warped" and refused to do the brake fluids because they look fine. We were skeptical, because if the rotors are warped, aren't they supposed to vibrate every time I step on the brakes, not occasionally under certain conditions (like cold rotors, light braking etc...)?
Recently (about 1 year ago), we did a lot less highway driving and did a lot more city driving at lower speeds, therefore also barely used adaptive cruise and when taking on the highway, the vibration magically stopped, smooth brakes again. We took it in 4th of Dec, 2023, for oil change and requested brake fluid change again. This time, they quoted us 2,2k for pads and rotors again, BUT this time they said that rotors are "scratched and has rust ridges around them, so we can't machine them down". Fair enough ig, because we live on the rust belt, but then, they say we only have 1 milimeter!!! of pad life left on both rear sets and front left pads. The front right has 3MM left which is still dangerously low if numbers are true. Is it possible though? Because that is crazy quick wear on those pads. We only have 30,000 miles on the clock and never towed before, barely even carried anything heavy. First 2-3 years, we did some mountain highway driving (from Pacific Northwest) at moderate speeds, last 1-2 years are mostly slow speed in the cities.
To be fair, one year ago Kal Tire did quote us once when changing over to winters, that the rear pads and rotors needed replacing for $600. They haven't asked us again since then when we changed tires again with them. Looking at the rotors, do you think they needed replacing? Or do the pads only need replacing. Any recommendations out there for pads and/or rotors if these do need replacing, or should we just stick to OEM parts? They don't seem to last long.
Here are some pictures of the rotors (Sorry for the terrible images, we don't have jacks and stands to remove the wheel to inspect):
Also, these images were taken right after driving for a little bit. Not sat overnight!
Rear right:
Rear right:
Front Left:
Front right:
Sorry for this LONG post, hope you guys don't mind.
Thank you all in advance for the responses! Anything is appreciated!
I'm new to this forum/community and appreciate you all!
The problem with the brakes started on the 2nd year of ownership of our 2020 Expy Max (bought Dec of 2019). It started to vibrate under light to moderate braking from highway speeds (probably when rotors were cold). We for some reason didn't think much about it and stupidly didn't claim it under warranty when it hasn't yet expired. Plus, it only happens occasionally and during that time we were going back and forth with the dealer about the 21N08 cam phaser rattle recall for like months, so we had enough of visiting the dealer.
The vibration under braking went on both while manual braking AND while using adaptive cruise (we use it a lot, don't know if that has anything to do with it), but only occasionally and from the conditions I said above, so we just dealt with it until beginning of 2023, where we requested a brake fluid change (according to owners manual: every 3 years). Then, the dealer quoted us 2k for pads and rotors, because they are "warped" and refused to do the brake fluids because they look fine. We were skeptical, because if the rotors are warped, aren't they supposed to vibrate every time I step on the brakes, not occasionally under certain conditions (like cold rotors, light braking etc...)?
Recently (about 1 year ago), we did a lot less highway driving and did a lot more city driving at lower speeds, therefore also barely used adaptive cruise and when taking on the highway, the vibration magically stopped, smooth brakes again. We took it in 4th of Dec, 2023, for oil change and requested brake fluid change again. This time, they quoted us 2,2k for pads and rotors again, BUT this time they said that rotors are "scratched and has rust ridges around them, so we can't machine them down". Fair enough ig, because we live on the rust belt, but then, they say we only have 1 milimeter!!! of pad life left on both rear sets and front left pads. The front right has 3MM left which is still dangerously low if numbers are true. Is it possible though? Because that is crazy quick wear on those pads. We only have 30,000 miles on the clock and never towed before, barely even carried anything heavy. First 2-3 years, we did some mountain highway driving (from Pacific Northwest) at moderate speeds, last 1-2 years are mostly slow speed in the cities.
To be fair, one year ago Kal Tire did quote us once when changing over to winters, that the rear pads and rotors needed replacing for $600. They haven't asked us again since then when we changed tires again with them. Looking at the rotors, do you think they needed replacing? Or do the pads only need replacing. Any recommendations out there for pads and/or rotors if these do need replacing, or should we just stick to OEM parts? They don't seem to last long.
Here are some pictures of the rotors (Sorry for the terrible images, we don't have jacks and stands to remove the wheel to inspect):
Also, these images were taken right after driving for a little bit. Not sat overnight!
Rear right:
Rear right:
Front Left:
Front right:
Sorry for this LONG post, hope you guys don't mind.
Thank you all in advance for the responses! Anything is appreciated!
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