This is a follow-up to my earlier message, "F$%^& Brakes!" It seems the shop, not the brake system, was to blame.
Recap: Replaced my front calipers, rotors and pads 15 months ago at Bass Auto. This week, lots of brake dust on the front right rim, grinding started two days ago, took it in to Ray Gordon Brakes here yesterday.
Update: Apparently, this mechanics at Bass Auto put the wrong pads on my Trac last year. They used Explorer pads, not Sport Trac pads. The calipers they put on also had plastic pistons again, despite the fact that they specifically told me the aftermarket ones used metal pistons. My calipers were binding again because of the piston not retracting. I was told I'd have to replace the calipers again, surface the rotors and replace the pads. The first number I was given was $680. (It also included bleeding the system and maintenance on the rear drum brakes.) I was not happy.
Begrudgingly, I told them to get started. Luckily, I got a second call saying that when they removed the bad pads, the piston was freed up and was now sliding properly. No need to replace the calipers, so the price dropped to $280. I was $400 happier, but still annoyed.
Since the guys at Bass Auto actually replaced my rotors & pads first last year, then found the caliper problem when I brought it back in a couple of weeks later for squealing, I'm guessing I never needed to replace the calipers at all. (It took them 3-4 visits in all to "get it right," and apparently they never actually did.) That means I likely dropped about $400 last year and another $300 this year that I wouldn't have needed to spend if they'd put the right pads on in the first place.
CONCLUSION: If you're in Tallahassee and need work done on your Trac, DO NOT GO TO BASS AUTO ON CAPITAL CIRCLE! If it's a brake issue, Ray Gordon Brakes is less than 5 minutes up the road, and was MUCH more helpful/knowledgeable.
Recap: Replaced my front calipers, rotors and pads 15 months ago at Bass Auto. This week, lots of brake dust on the front right rim, grinding started two days ago, took it in to Ray Gordon Brakes here yesterday.
Update: Apparently, this mechanics at Bass Auto put the wrong pads on my Trac last year. They used Explorer pads, not Sport Trac pads. The calipers they put on also had plastic pistons again, despite the fact that they specifically told me the aftermarket ones used metal pistons. My calipers were binding again because of the piston not retracting. I was told I'd have to replace the calipers again, surface the rotors and replace the pads. The first number I was given was $680. (It also included bleeding the system and maintenance on the rear drum brakes.) I was not happy.
Begrudgingly, I told them to get started. Luckily, I got a second call saying that when they removed the bad pads, the piston was freed up and was now sliding properly. No need to replace the calipers, so the price dropped to $280. I was $400 happier, but still annoyed.
Since the guys at Bass Auto actually replaced my rotors & pads first last year, then found the caliper problem when I brought it back in a couple of weeks later for squealing, I'm guessing I never needed to replace the calipers at all. (It took them 3-4 visits in all to "get it right," and apparently they never actually did.) That means I likely dropped about $400 last year and another $300 this year that I wouldn't have needed to spend if they'd put the right pads on in the first place.
CONCLUSION: If you're in Tallahassee and need work done on your Trac, DO NOT GO TO BASS AUTO ON CAPITAL CIRCLE! If it's a brake issue, Ray Gordon Brakes is less than 5 minutes up the road, and was MUCH more helpful/knowledgeable.
