# What is wrong with my brakes? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 25, 2002, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-brakes/125470 "2002-08-25T07:04:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-brakes/125470/21 "2002-08-27T15:59:34Z")
“I think it depends on the use. It is banned for use as a household insulation, but not for other uses.” I bought some pads, but was told they use something else now. Which is why the pads cost more. I can just imagine how the air would be on the street if they used asbestos in pads. Everytime someone used the brakes the air would fill with asbestos dust…? ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-brakes/125470/22 "2002-08-27T22:55:55Z")
Most modern brake pads are referred to as “semi-metallic”, though it’s true you can still buy asbestos pads here in the U.S. ([More info](http://www.autosite.com/garage/encyclop/ency14f.asp) than you probably wanted…) > [@](#): > > Basically, [semi-metallic pads] are steel wool, iron powder, and other metal particles molded together with a phenolic resin binder. In my experience, I’ve seen rotors grooved badly enough to cause pulling, but have never seen “warped” ones. Then again, I’m not a professional mechanic and therefore I don’t look at lots of vehicles… A new set of pads will usually run $20-50 at an auto parts store, last time I checked. (One “set” is typically four pads, two per wheel.) New rotors, should they be required, will probably run $25-60 a piece, maybe more depending on the model. (You can get used ones at junk yards if you’re in a real pinch for cash–sometimes you can save money that route, sometimes not.) Turning a rotor (basically cutting it back to flat on a lathe) will be around $5-15 a piece at a auto parts store. Of course, this is if you do all the legwork yourself. Many mechanics will charge far more for parts (maybe even 4 or 5 times the retail), plus tacking $50/hr for labor; it pays to negotiate… or find a mechanic who doesn’t mind if you buy your parts and bring them along. Some will insist on replacing calipers, wheel bearings, master cylinder, etc. On a nine year old vehicle, it’s certainly possible these things might need to be replaced, but it would be wise to get a second opinion in that event. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-brakes/125470/23 "2002-08-27T23:34:26Z")
It’s ironic this thread was started in the BBQ pit. That’s no excuse for my first post, which was a reply on a GQ basis yet…it sucked. I hope my post was not the inspiration for **ColdFire** to put it in MPSIMS. **LouisB** and **GaryT** rightly ripped my post. Thanks guys 😉 My concern is the OP was not really answered: **OpalCat** in her OP has a problem with her brakes: > [@](#): > > At a particular speed while braking, the van starts to shake a lot and pulls to the left. > > I don’t have much money [in fact I won’t be able to address this issue at all until October, no matter what it is] and I’m really scared of being totally scammed by repair shops… > > Anyone have any insight that might help me when I take it in so I sound like I know what I’m talking about? I’m concerned with the ‘until October’ bit. Also the fear of scamming. **LouisB** noted that advertised brake jobs are “loss leaders”: > [@](#): > > In other words, those shops attract people looking for a bargain brake job. Once the wheels are off the car, it isn’t unusual for the customer to be bombarded with hard sells for shocks, struts, front-end work, etc., etc. If the customer knows little about cars, these things can be made to seem life-threating and the cost of these “extra” repairs is usually outrageous. My experience was gained a LONG time ago, YMMV. \ My experience is similar. Even going back to bringing a bicycle rim into a bike shop. “It’s shot” the guy would say - meaning “buy a new one”. Cars: “My engine rattles. I think it’s pinging. Tune up?” - “You need new engine mounts, struts.” \ It’s a good thing to have an idea of what’s wrong with your car when you bring it in to a shop you’re unfamiliar with. While most mechanics and shops are honest - even a ten year old car can _sorta_ be in need of new struts, tie rods. p a g i n g **LouisB** & **GaryT** **mrblue92’s** post had a link which does have a lot of information. I’ll try to find some more since I brought up the asbestos issue. ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-brakes/125470/24 "2002-08-28T03:23:43Z")
Sometimes you may save yourself some money by purchasing your own parts, but when customers used to bring their own parts for replacement, in my experience, the labor was never “warrantied.” IOW if you brought in a pair of rotors and a set of pads, and the clips fell off of the pads due to faulty craftmanship (and not due to the shop), they would have you pay _again_ since you brought in your own parts and presumably they do not know _where_ you picked up your parts (and what quality they are). This is just generally what the standard has been where I live and for how long I can recall since I have been working on cars. YMMV. IMHO sounds like warped rotors and possibly a sticking caliper and or faulty brake hose. Other possibilities…worn front end and/or incorrectly inflated tires. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-my-brakes/125470.md?page=1)