Brake overhaul

[Towncivilian]

With the Wagner ThermoQuiet rebate going on, I'm thinking of replacing most of the brake hardware on my 2001.5 Pathfinder. Here's what I'm thinking:

Wagner ThermoQuiet pads & shoes
Wearever Rotors (are these decent?)
Wearever Drum Brake Hardware Kit
and a couple cans of CRC Brake Cleaner as filler items to get over $150

It adds up to $128.24 with discount code, then a $20 rebate for the ThermoQuiet hardware results in around $110 for everything.

Looking at service records, I had a "front brake service" (no other details on the record) done at 76,489 miles. I have 131k miles now. All the drum hardware is original. Is there any reason to replace the actual drums themselves, or will they be fine after some sanding and cleaning? The brake fluid was flushed in May of 2011, so there's no need to do another flush yet.

Thoughts?

 

[Donald]

I am sure those rotors will be fine. They will all rust anyways, so I shoot for high quality pads and decent rotors. The drums can be turned I believe. Why the drum hardware? Isn't that just some springs, washers and a short piece of cable? Better to get the wheel cylinder rebuild kit and do the wheel cylinder. Or just leave it alone.

Where are you ordering it from? Online? Shipping? The shipping is the killer for rotors unless you get free shipping somehow.

 

[Towncivilian]

I'll be picking up in store. Everything is available at the closest store to me.

I don't see a wheel cylinder rebuild kit on either AAP or RockAuto's website. The wheel cylinders are quite cheap on RA for decent brands. Do they warrant replacement at this time?

You're right about the brake hardware kit, but for $10 I'd rather just replace it.

I'll need brake grease for the caliper slide pins, correct? Is this Permatex Brake Grease fine?

 

[Donald]

That is the right grease, syl-glide from NAPA is also good stuff. The wheel cylinder don't need to be rebuilt unless the brake fluid coming out of them when you bleed them is nasty.

Don't forget to wire brush any areas where tabs for the pads go (and slide a little), and wipe on some grease there and wipe it off with your finger to leave just a tad.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Towncivilian
I'll be picking up in store. Everything is available at the closest store to me.

I don't see a wheel cylinder rebuild kit on either AAP or RockAuto's website. The wheel cylinders are quite cheap on RA for decent brands. Do they warrant replacement at this time?

You're right about the brake hardware kit, but for $10 I'd rather just replace it.

I'll need brake grease for the caliper slide pins, correct? Is this Permatex Brake Grease fine?

I would replace the wheel cylinders because I deal with numerous instances where the wheel cylinders leak and destroy the brake shoes. Don't buy rebuild kits, the surface finish in an old wheel cylinder probably isn't very good.

I have never used that Permatex brake parts lube, however, it appears to meet the needs of the job.

Front rotors on some versions of the pathfinder aren't a simple job. Look it up in an automotive manual and see if you are ready for the job. You will probably need some wheel bearing grease.

Bleed the air out of the system after you finish the job, and I recommend using DOT4 low viscosity if your truck has ABS brakes. If you don't have ABS brakes, just having a good DOT4 is smart.