I've just picked my car up from Renault after its had its 2nd service and on the checklist there are 2 marked yellow which means action required, both front and rear pads need a change but I'm confused as to why they've put the discs as ok, as these seem close to minimum So does everyone recommend I get a full set, is it easy enough to do myself? How much Labour if I get my garage do it? Should I get the brake fluid changed at the same time?
You can usually go though a couple of pads before the disks need changing. From looking at the report, it's just the pads that need changing and I'd just change the them as the disks are expensive. A good mechanic should be able to change the front pads in around an hour. Rears are more labour intensive as the caliper pistons usually need winding out and resetting.
Should I get the brake fluid changed at the same time, it's a 62 plate. Is motul dot 4 the best fluid and if so how much will I need?
Ah ok thank you, so they should be ok for another 6 months at least do you know what the rears start at?
Brake fluid renewal intervals should be advised in your service book mate. Also I might be wrong but 10mm of minimum brake pad thickness seems a lot to to me. They only have about 15mm new from what I've seen. Might be best to get a second opinion.
Looking on the net and most cars have a minimum pad thickness of 3mm. The pads on my car are less then 10mm and recently passed an MOT with no advisories. I'd definitely get a second opinion as it looks to me like their trying to take your pants down.
Those minimum levels are BS anyway, Thats just them trying to get money out you. Pads for the Megane don't come with a massive amount of friction material due to the design of the callipers. I certainly wouldn't consider replacing them until they are well worn down to 2/3mm
Agree with this. You can run them until there's no friction material left and then they give up working, but not when they are halfway through. I've had pads go to nothing on a race track - not wise but the world didn't end. Half worn is loads of life left. Service centres love marking brakes and discs as worn; it's good business for them and given health and safety they are bound to be super super prudent in their advisories. I've never had a car where this didn't happen.
I measured mine the other day. My car is on 38k miles. I've got a digital micrometer and using some coins I measured my fronts whilst the wheel was off (obviously subtracting the thickness of the coins). Based on the disc thickness new, they've got hardly any wear at all. This surprised me some what.
