[CoachKandSportsguy]

Have a 2022 Subaru outback with 40K miles on it, and need to replace the rear brakes. I did a search but didn't get recent satisfactory answers. .

I have quotes from two places,
$500 Boulevard Tire on 441, and $700 Firestone on 466

any recommendations locally here between 44 and 441 lady Lake? no dealerships please. .

Also, I don't ever change my brake fluid in my prior cars. . how many people have actually had water in their brake fluid? my current belief is that is just excessive maintenance but any other opinions or real life experience with modern cars?

thanks in advance. .

[Stu from NYC]

Many people here like Sumter tire on 301. Not the cheapest but very honest and professional.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

Have a 2022 Subaru outback with 40K miles on it, and need to replace the rear brakes. I did a search but didn't get recent satisfactory answers. .

I have quotes from two places,
$500 Boulevard Tire on 441, and $700 Firestone on 466

any recommendations locally here between 44 and 441 lady Lake? no dealerships please. .

Also, I don't ever change my brake fluid in my prior cars. . how many people have actually had water in their brake fluid? my current belief is that is just excessive maintenance but any other opinions or real life experience with modern cars?

thanks in advance. .

Subaru specifies brake fluid replacement every 30,000 miles or 30 months, whichever occurs first. 
Importantly.

Subaru specifies a shorter interval of 15,000 miles or 15 months for vehicles operated in high-humidity areas, which is relevant to Florida

This is because some modern cars modulate the brakes for stability control and the braking system components are complex/expensive.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture which can accelerate degradation of those components, especially in high humidity Florida.

Some manufactures may say lifetime which for them is 36/48 months.

Others performance with oriented vehicles generally recommend a flush every 2 years.

If you don't drive aggressively, the change intervals can probably go to 3-5 yrs.

Make sure the service includes flushing fresh fluid through the ABS and all four wheel brakes/calipers not merely replacing fluid in the reservoir. This may require specialized software from the manufacturer driving up the cost

A Brake Fluid Tester Pen can be used to test the fluid. Brake fluid moisture levels 3% or higher should be replaced.

https://a.co/d/008y2M70

[bagboy]

That Firestone store has always been fair and honest with me. I recommend them for sure.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

Have a 2022 Subaru outback with 40K miles on it, and need to replace the rear brakes. I did a search but didn't get recent satisfactory answers. .

I have quotes from two places,
$500 Boulevard Tire on 441, and $700 Firestone on 466

any recommendations locally here between 44 and 441 lady Lake? no dealerships please. .

Also, I don't ever change my brake fluid in my prior cars. . how many people have actually had water in their brake fluid? my current belief is that is just excessive maintenance but any other opinions or real life experience with modern cars?

thanks in advance. .

I can’t recommend anyplace near the Villages from experience. What I can say is that $250 per wheel for new brakes, including new rotors, is pretty much the fair price these days. We just spent $1,000 on a four wheel complete brake job for my wife’s Honda using our long time mechanic who we trust and has proven to be honest over many years. Ever since asbestos brake pads were discontinued, and replaced with metallic brake pads, new rotors are required with a brake job. We used to be diligent to replace the brake pads before they completely wore out so the rotors didn’t get damaged. Now a days, drive it until the brakes grind, the rotors will need to be replacing anyways, so why not? Hopefully the northern road salt and chemicals didn’t rust out the brake calipers before you moved to the Villages? That will be roughly an additional $100 per wheel. Best of luck!

[Babubhat]

Wildwood tire, 301 and 44. Long time satisfied customer. Have done brakes there

[Sparky99]

The best place to get new brake pads and rotors depends on whether you plan to buy the parts yourself and do the job, or have a shop handle the full installation.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Subaru specifies brake fluid replacement every 30,000 miles or 30 months, whichever occurs first. 
Importantly.

Subaru specifies a shorter interval of 15,000 miles or 15 months for vehicles operated in high-humidity areas, which is relevant to Florida

This is because some modern cars modulate the brakes for stability control and the braking system components are complex/expensive.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture which can accelerate degradation of those components, especially in high humidity Florida.

Some manufactures may say lifetime which for them is 36/48 months.

Others performance with oriented vehicles generally recommend a flush every 2 years.

If you don't drive aggressively, the change intervals can probably go to 3-5 yrs.

Make sure the service includes flushing fresh fluid through the ABS and all four wheel brakes/calipers not merely replacing fluid in the reservoir. This may require specialized software from the manufacturer driving up the cost

A Brake Fluid Tester Pen can be used to test the fluid. Brake fluid moisture levels 3% or higher should be replaced.

https://a.co/d/008y2M70

so let me counter the recommendations, and ask: so how does the water get into the system without the brake fluid leaking out? if there is no brake fluid leaking, and the brake fluid level stays the same, should it go up with water entry without any leakage?

So when I first started to drive, the recommended oil change was 3,000 miles, and as the motor oil got better, the distance a car could go on without changing the oil increased, but the recommendations to change the oil didn't for a long time. I increased to 5K before the service engineering / marketing increased the recommendations. The car rusted out before the engine failed. I have never had an engine rebuild needed yet. All cars go as long as they can run. . over 10yrs, and the engine repairs cost more than the car.

So it looks to me like a legacy recommendation for the dealership service department which no one want to change specifically for warranty and revenue purposes, and yes, I have a small sample size, but lots of small sample sizes can actually add up to statistically significant valid conclusions. .

anyone one else NOT change their brake fluid as recommended and also DID NOT have brake issues not related to normal pad/rotor wear?

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

so let me counter the recommendations, and ask: so how does the water get into the system without the brake fluid leaking out? if there is no brake fluid leaking, and the brake fluid level stays the same, should it go up with water entry without any leakage?

Brake fluid is Hygroscopic so it absorbs moisture from the environment.

Moisture enters gradually through:

* The reservoir vent:
As fluid level changes with brake wear and temperature, the reservoir’s venting system allows pressure to equalize. A diaphragm limits contact with humid air, but the system isn’t perfectly moistureproof.

* Rubber brake hoses and seals:
Tiny amounts of water vapor slowly pass through these materials, even without a visible leak.

It's that moisture that can over time damage brake system components.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

so let me counter the recommendations, and ask: so how does the water get into the system without the brake fluid leaking out? if there is no brake fluid leaking, and the brake fluid level stays the same, should it go up with water entry without any leakage?

So when I first started to drive, the recommended oil change was 3,000 miles, and as the motor oil got better, the distance a car could go on without changing the oil increased, but the recommendations to change the oil didn't for a long time. I increased to 5K before the service engineering / marketing increased the recommendations. The car rusted out before the engine failed. I have never had an engine rebuild needed yet. All cars go as long as they can run. . over 10yrs, and the engine repairs cost more than

So it looks to me like a legacy recommendation for the dealership service department which no one want to change specifically for warranty and revenue purposes, and yes, I have a small sample size, but lots of small sample sizes can actually add up to statistically significant valid conclusions. .

anyone one else NOT change their brake fluid as recommended and also DID NOT have brake issues not related to normal pad/rotor wear?

I’ll step out on limb here and say most don’t have clue about fluids what type systems take and turn key till something doesn’t work? Plus most don’t keep vehicle long enough to change any fluids other than engine oil.


Hardly nobody/anybody changes BRAKE fluid in 30 months or 15K miles some don’t even change engine oil in that time frame. I changed all my fluids (except oil) 3 times in 75K miles and 14 years. I consider myself in about 10% that do that. Pads kit and rotors cost around 200 bucks for all 4 wheels, rest labor and up charges like get at dealer. Plus most brakes should last more than 40K miles I be more worried about something that caused brakes to worn out in 40K (if they are actually worn?)miles. If fine a honest mechanic he will do inspection first see if there problem that cause early wear/noise/failure?

I would go anywhere EXCEPT the DEALERSHIP. They will also find couple grand of up charges.

If you had disc brakes all way around you can get tools to measure pad wear. Have to take the rear rotors off to see parking brake shoes if your model has that type.

Robot or human?

[villagetinker]

First I would recommend Wildwood Tire I have been using them for 13 years.

Second, yes you need to change brake fluid, I recently had both rear brake cylinders freeze up due to rusting of the cylinder and housing, which was due to moisture in the brake fluid. My simple brake rotor replacement became a more complicated cylinder replacement and brake bleeding project, along with doubling the cost.

[Pinball wizard]

Sumter Tire, hands down. Dealer said I had an oil leak, Sumter said no leak. $1,300 saved.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

First I would recommend Wildwood Tire I have been using them for 13 years.

I agree.

We have been going to Wildwood Tire for 10 years (probably because of your recommendation in 2015) and we have been very pleased with the service they have provided.

[Dave951]

ORIELLYS auto parts buy the import direct brand parts

[Toymeister]

I replaced mine at 105k. I had no problems and I noticed no difference. The non dealer mechanic asked why I was replacing the fluid.