Boston Area Brake Work

[Granada]

Anyone have any recommendations for brake work in the Boston area? My brakes aren't sounding too good (grinding) and it looks like I need to have them replaced. I'm at 44k miles with a 2003 6i.
Justin

[SANDMAN.3]

Changing your pads are simple as 1-2-3... DIY would save you about $100 depending where you go plus you get experience and get to know you car more. As for tools.. if you require tools that you do not have, you can always rent them from places like AutoZone (farely cheap... you practically get your money back when the tools are return.)

How-To:

REAR --> http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option...1&Itemid=49

FRONT --> http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option...0&Itemid=49


I would look into CarboTech Bobcats replacement pads. It gives you a little more confidence in your brakes IMO. or try Hawks HPS pads.. either one provide a good upgrade over the stocker.

[Granada]

Changing your pads are simple as 1-2-3... DIY would save you about $100 depending where you go plus you get experience and get to know you car more. As for tools.. if you require tools that you do not have, you can always rent them from places like AutoZone (farely cheap... you practically get your money back when the tools are return.)

How-To:

REAR --> http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option...1&Itemid=49

FRONT --> http://www.mazda6tech.com/index.php?option...0&Itemid=49
I would look into CarboTech Bobcats replacement pads. It gives you a little more confidence in your brakes IMO. or try Hawks HPS pads.. either one provide a good upgrade over the stocker.[/b]

Thanks for the info. I would like to do the brakes myself but I would prefer that the first time I work on my brakes that I have someone that knows what they are doing with me. Also I really don't have the time to do it myself. I work 9-5 and am in law school until 9 or 10 at night. (Sucks for now but hopefully it pays off in the long run.)
So it looks like I'll be taking the car to the shop for this one.

[xshellshock]

Thanks for the info. I would like to do the brakes myself but I would prefer that the first time I work on my brakes that I have someone that knows what they are doing with me. Also I really don't have the time to do it myself. I work 9-5 and am in law school until 9 or 10 at night. (Sucks for now but hopefully it pays off in the long run.)
So it looks like I'll be taking the car to the shop for this one.[/b]

disc brakes are real easy. pretty much unscrew the caliper, pull pads, push the piston in, replace pads, and screw back on. drum brakes are where it gets a little tricky. I hate the fucking springs. The grinding though makes it seem like you're gonna need some rotors, which can be a PITA if they are stuck. Either way I'm sure theres someone on here in the Boston area to help you for a 6 back, as long as you can create some time.

[cacusto419]

Im getting Slotted Rotors and Ceramic Pads for 475 installed all the way around....Best so far! Going to get em done next week I will post pics when there done!! Shop is called Import R Performance its up here in NH in Portsmouth.....Anyon wants info lemme know!!

[chuyler1]

Read those instructions above, it really is very easy. Replacing rotors adds a few more steps but if you know how to turn a wrench it is nothing you should be worried about.

[stowgardener]

Read those instructions above, it really is very easy. Replacing rotors adds a few more steps but if you know how to turn a wrench it is nothing you should be worried about.[/b]

Well I'm one of the mechanically disinclined people. I just changed my cabin filter myself. But if I made a mistake, I wouldn't get killed. Screw up on the brakes, well...

To answer the original guy who wrote this thread, I would recommend Magazine Street Shell in Cambridge. It's on the corner of Memorial Drive and Magazine Street. That's just after the BU bridge going west. If you go past the River Street bridge, you've gone too far. They do quality work, and their prices are around 20% to 25% less than a Mazda dealer.

You probably do need new rotors. After 36,000 and listening to a lot squealing and grinding, I finally took the car to a Mazda dealer. They replaced rotors and pads. The original brake pads on the 2003 Mazda 6 were really soft but didn't last very long. They tried to sell me new tires too. I finally replaced the front tires after 50,000 and with 78,400 on the rear I am still driving on the originals. I don't trust dealers.

regards,

Bob

[Granada]

Well I'm one of the mechanically disinclined people. I just changed my cabin filter myself. But if I made a mistake, I wouldn't get killed. Screw up on the brakes, well...

To answer the original guy who wrote this thread, I would recommend Magazine Street Shell in Cambridge. It's on the corner of Memorial Drive and Magazine Street. That's just after the BU bridge going west. If you go past the River Street bridge, you've gone too far. They do quality work, and their prices are around 20% to 25% less than a Mazda dealer.

You probably do need new rotors. After 36,000 and listening to a lot squealing and grinding, I finally took the car to a Mazda dealer. They replaced rotors and pads. The original brake pads on the 2003 Mazda 6 were really soft but didn't last very long. They tried to sell me new tires too. I finally replaced the front tires after 50,000 and with 78,400 on the rear I am still driving on the originals. I don't trust dealers.

regards,

Bob[/b]

Bob,
Thanks a lot. I'll go check them out.
I'm in Allston so that's not far at all for me.
Justin

[Granada]

Called Magazine and I will be dropping my car off tomorrow for them to look at.

[stowgardener]

Called Magazine and I will be dropping my car off tomorrow for them to look at.[/b]

Hey Justin. Let me know what you think of them. I'm dropping my car off tomorrow (Wed) for the oil and filter. I might have them lub the steering column, cause I've had vibration problems in the past.

Bob