About how long should brake pads and brake drums last?

usually untill they wear out... then you should change them.


drums, which is on the rear brakes, usualy last a long time... you having a problem?

My grandmother was helping me with the cost of repairs to my car. I needed new brakes in December and now the back drums are going out. I don't drive the car often so I would think they would still be good (I don't remember them EVER going out this quick)

It's a 02 Honda Civic LX. I have had the car since 02.

I have had issues with this mechanic (with other cars) I think they are scammers, but I can't convince my grandmother.

Just curious if the drums should be going out now. The front pads are still in great shape BTW

take it to just brakes, or another place that will check them for free.
if you have never had the rear brakes done, you probably should tho.
most times they can "turn" the drums...it's when they grind off the layer of metal that the brake pads actually touch. but if the metal on the drums is too wore down, you will have to replace the drums. if you have the money, i would say just go ahead and have it done tho. 8 years is a long time.

in December, my back brakes started to grind. I took it to my grandmother's mechanic. They should have replaced the front and back then (I just called them to double check that they did)

Now it's squeaking in the back. The front is just fine. I'm wondering if they should be squeaking 8 months later

Rear brakes only do about 30% of the braking, your front brakes are the primary stopping power, which is why you would go though front pads etc more often ( depending on your driving habits). As moe said the drums can be turned (cut) providing they are thick enough & aren't warped or cracked. Again depending on driving habits you will probably have done 3 front brake services before having to do rears.

The squeaking could be a piece of rust.

that is even weirder. We checked the brakes last night (except didn't have whatever tool to get the drums off) but the front looks practically brand new. The back brakes are what I had trouble with (grinding) in December and now they are squeaking. It's not brake dust either.

sometimes the caliper(the device that makes the brakes open and close through hydrolics), can get stuck, and 1 pad will grind the the drum down and ruin it. i would take it a place that will look at it for free, and see if this has happened.

You won't see brake dust with drum brakes, but if you are hearing noises your emergency brake may be stuck just a enough to have the shoes touch the drum.

maybe I'm being confusing. In December 09 the back brakes were grinding. They should have been replaced then. I paid to have the front and back brakes replaced.

Now the front brakes are just fine (looks practically new). The back brakes aren't grinding yet....they are only squeaking.

Break dust can cause them to squeak, new or not. Try and get in there with an air compressor maybe slap some anticease on the pads.

My advice would be to take it to a brake place, someplace that specializes in brakes. The key to all such places is confidence. If you at least act like you have some kind of clue, act like you're only taking it to them out of convenience not necessity, you're more likely to get honest service.
Look the problem up on the web. Get ideas of what it could be. Mention that to the mechanic. Ask them to check specific things. If you do so, they're more likely to think you know what you're talking about and therefore will be harder to scam. Bear in mind, almost all mechanics are dishonest to some extent and they WANT to find things to fix. Knowledge is key to mitigate this. If you don't feel confident in doing this, find and bring someone who will be.
Good luck!
I've found this site to be helpful: 2carpros.com

Find another mechanic. it sounds like they didn't clean squat. It is what us Mechanically Inclined call a "Slap and Go" brake job. Just slap on pads and shoes and send it on its way. Any mechanic worth anything cleans the brake assembly prior to putting on new parts and reassembling. Good wheel cleaner of all things works great for cleaning brake parts! You don't need vicious solvents to do the job. A real top notch mechanic cleans your rims too. They may not be polished but getting the brake dust off makes a world of difference in the appearance of the vehicle.


Also cheap brake parts can glaze over causing squeal. So can weak springs and out of adjustment rear brakes. Brake dust can also contribute.

Most cars have a war indicator on the brake pads called a "Squealer" spring that makes a particular sound when you apply your brakes when they are due for service.

Bad mechanics build in their own job security. Good mechanics don't want to see you for any reason other than basic maintenance. If the maintenance is done right you don't have to see him that often then predisposing he is doing the job right.

brakes will make noise on the back as far as moisture if the car sets a bit rust bulids off the moisture. to be honest its just as cheap to put new drums on sometimes then to just turn them

thanks for the help everyone. I ended up taken it to a mechanic to look at. In addition I heard popping noises and then that stopped and it started to rattle.

My niece's boyfriend had taken a look at the brakes and the car fell from the jack (that's when the other noises started).

I was worried I would have to replace the struts AND the CV axle.

The mechanic brought me into the shop (keep in mind he was laughing) and asked who held the life insurance policy on me. Then they showed me the noise. They geniuses didn't tighten the front wheel and it was wobbling (which made the popping and rattling noise)

Needless to say....they tightened it for me (giggling because I kept saying I'm gonna kill em...I'm gonna kill em)

The brakes aren't squeaking anymore (brake dust) and the popping and rattling stopped (tightened tire)

I was sooooooooo stressed that I was going to have to spend more money than I could afford and I ended up paying nothing and they tightened the wheels.

I need a drink

come to houston, i'll buy you a beer

When your brakes squeak...just turn the radio up louder....

how about you ship it to me Moe

Torgo....the radio only goes up so loud before it ruins my hearing and then that is going to cost me MORE

i've beat the brakes of quite a few things