Rant/PT Cruiser convertible

CA C6 Fan · 03-10-2010, 05:38 PM

I just spent just over $250 on my PTC for front brakes.

The mechanic said the brakes needed replacement (just under 44K miles). Not only that but the rotors were also affected. So, those needed to be replaced too, he offered to re-surface them at about the same price as new ones.

Thing is, I heard no squeaks or squeals warning me of the impending doom (which was a bit strange - because I have always heard this when brake pads were about to go). Apparently, the design of these brakes and the way they were made, there are no sensors???? WTF?

If the car had been engineered with these (normally on other vehicles) brake sensors, I would have at least just had to replace the pads (around $140). But on some Chrysler products, NO brake sensors!!!!!!

CA C6 Fan · 03-11-2010, 05:32 PM

Oh and by the way, this little 4-banger gets nowhere NEAR the mileage it was advertised at. The EPA sticker was at 25mpg. On a good day, I'm lucky to get 22mpg overall. In the city, this gas-hog gets less than 19mpg.

Pinky Demon · 03-12-2010, 01:43 AM

What model year?

Zeek · 03-12-2010, 05:03 AM

Learn to do your own brakes and save a ton of money. Pads less then 25 bucks and rotors probably not more than 30 bucks each. Easy to do in about an hour.

CA C6 Fan · 03-12-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinky demon

what model year?

2007.

CA C6 Fan · 03-12-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeek

Learn to do your own brakes and save a ton of money. Pads less then 25 bucks and rotors probably not more than 30 bucks each. Easy to do in about an hour.

Actually, I looked at that. Good quality (OEM or better) were about $25 for each wheel. The PT rotors were about $47 each (rebuilt). We pay lots more for things here in CA.

The money wasn't so much the major issue as was the situation where I could have saved some time & money on a better engineered brake system. I researched other car companies even Suzuki (one of the cheapest brand car companies out there) uses a brake pad system that encorporates brake pad sensors. My main coment really, is how badly this puts Chrysler in the limelight, not using brake pad sensors.

Cheap, cheap, cheap cheaply made automobiles. They and Fiat are a match made in heaven.

Pinky Demon · 03-13-2010, 03:18 AM

Just look at your Master Cylinder. How much fluid did you have left?

CA C6 Fan · 03-15-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky Demon

Just look at your Master Cylinder. How much fluid did you have left?

Please explain? Does replacing the front rotors and pads mean the MC would have drained (or severely depleted)? What do you mean?