05 Elantra GT Rear Disk Brakes Question

Discussion in 'Hyundai Elantra / Lantra' started by jtees4, Jul 11, 2007.

  1. jtees4

    jtees4 Guest

    Generally speaking, how long should the rear brake pads last? I am
    fully aware that it depends on driver etc, but am curious. I changed
    the front pads at 18K, car now has 21000. I also have an 03, rear
    brakes are still going strong at 35K. I know in the old days of drum
    brakes, I've had cars go over 100K without ever changing rears and
    some have gone around 45K....curious how this translates into disc
    brakes. Thanks for any opinions.
     
    jtees4, Jul 11, 2007
    #1
  2. jtees4

    hyundaitech Guest

    I've seen them run 20K to 90K. The variance is just too great to put some
    sort of general expectation on them. As long as the parking brake is not
    overtightened and is working properly, they'll probably last quite some
    time.
     
    hyundaitech, Jul 11, 2007
    #2
  3. In most cases, the rear brakes will outlast by 2x to 4x the front brakes.
    One exception was my 91 Regal that ate up rear brakes. It was the first
    year they had disks on the rear and it did not seem to be quite ready for
    the road yet.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Jul 11, 2007
    #3
  4. jtees4

    jtees4 Guest

    Actually I am quite upset with a local Hyundai dealer. I brought my 05
    in yesterday because the brake pedal has been going to the floor (it
    was always lower on this car than my 03). They said it was fine except
    it needs rear pads as they have 15% life left. What they don't know is
    that I had already checked the pads, they have at least 50% life left
    (prob more like 80%, but I don't have new ones to compare). Even at
    15% they should not cause these symptoms. I have complained to
    Hyundai, both the dealer and the company. What sucks is I was going to
    buy an Elantra for my son, now I don't feel I can trust them..at least
    until I hear back from Hyundai. If I do decide to buy another, it will
    be from another dealership.
     
    jtees4, Jul 12, 2007
    #4
  5. jtees4

    jtees4 Guest

    Yes, generally I agree I just wanted other's opinions. See my post
    above to Hyundaitech..and thanks for the response.
     
    jtees4, Jul 12, 2007
    #5
  6. jtees4

    hyundaitech Guest

    In my experience, '04 to '06 Elantras have more brake pedal travel than the
    '01 to '03. I've had a few people complain about "pedal to floor," and
    some have even claimed loss of braking, but I've never been able to
    duplicate this problem on these vehicles. Some customers demonstrate by
    stopping the vehicle and then pressing the pedal until it reaches the
    stop. This is a meaningless demonstration, since when the vehicle is
    stopped, there is no way of determining how much brake force is being
    applied.

    So, while there's a possibility you have a problem with the '05, I wonder
    whether the pedal travel is simply more than expected.
    -- Is this an intermittent problem?
    -- Was there a loss of braking ability?
    -- Did the ABS kick in?
    -- Can you lock the wheels (or activate the ABS) by slamming on the
    brakes?
     
    hyundaitech, Jul 12, 2007
    #6
  7. My experience with rear brake pads is that they fit the caliper too
    tightly (at least in some cases), which causes the pads to stick in
    place when the piston retracts and causes excessive wear. When I
    replaced mine at 45K miles, I had to use a hammer and punch to get them
    out of the calipers. The new pads were too tight until I filed the ears
    on them to get a proper fit. Now everything seems fine. This doesn't
    seem to be a problem with all Elantras, but it's not uncommon, either.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Jul 12, 2007
    #7
  8. jtees4

    jtees4 Guest

    Thanks Hyundaitech. The 05 has always had more brake travel than my
    03, but as of about a week ago, it definaitely got worse...much worse.
    It was truly going down to the floor, but still stopping. I can't
    completely lock the wheels (no abs) but it still stops OK. The real
    problem is that the brake power does not come on at exactly the same
    point in the brake travel each time, which is what makes it dangerous.
    I bought brake pads today and will change them Saturday morning even
    though I'm sure it won't matter. Actually I hope I am wrong and that
    solves the problem, but i am sure that is not the reason. But this way
    I'll know for sure.
     
    jtees4, Jul 13, 2007
    #8
  9. jtees4

    jtees4 Guest

    I did look at them and they don't look worn, but I decided to change
    them anyway which I will do Saturday. This will eliminate the
    possibility that it is indeed the pads. Thanks.
     
    jtees4, Jul 13, 2007
    #9
  10. Have you checked the fluid level and/or bled the brakes?
     
    Brian Nystrom, Jul 13, 2007
    #10
  11. jtees4

    jtees4 Guest

    fluid level is fine, I did not bleed the brakes. I thought this would
    be the first thing the dealer would do, but they didn't mention it. If
    the new pads don't fix it, I will bleed the brakes next.
     
    jtees4, Jul 13, 2007
    #11
  12. jtees4

    Mike Marlow Guest

    If the brake lines were not opened during the work the dealer did on the
    brakes, there would be no need to bleed them. Most soft pedal problems are
    from worn out pads/incorrect shoe adjustments, or having the rotors turned.
     
    Mike Marlow, Jul 13, 2007
    #12
  13. jtees4

    jtees4 Guest

    We shall see..I will change the rear pads in the morning. Then I'll
    come back here and let everyone know what happens.
     
    jtees4, Jul 13, 2007
    #13
  14. jtees4

    hyundaitech Guest

    If you cannot lock the wheels, there's definitely a problem. There are
    three main things I've seen cause this problem:

    1. Etching of rotors on vehicles that are driven infrequently.
    2. Foreign substance on rotors (such as tire shine).
    3. Problem with master cylinder.

    Like Mike, I think it would be best if you didn't bleed the brakes. When
    you return to the dealer with the problem still present, your bleeding the
    brakes will only complicate their diagnostic process.
     
    hyundaitech, Jul 13, 2007
    #14
  15. jtees4

    jtees4 Guest

    Thanks again. 1.Rotors looked fine, and the vehicle is used everyday
    for about 40 miles. 2. Never used on this vehicle (I do use it on my
    03, which is the one I personally drive daily) 3.What I've suspected
    all along BUT suspecting and proving it are two different things.
    After i change pads tomorrow I will report back...even if I turn out
    to be wrong and it is indeed the pads. Actually I hope I'm wrong, I
    just want it working correctly. Thanks again.
    PS I am giving my son the 03 soon and buying anew car...I do not like
    the looks of the 07 Elantras at all + no more GT. I may end up with a
    Sonata. Maybe even within a few days. I won't let my experience with
    the dealer cloud my thinking...I've been very happy with both my
    Hyundais.
     
    jtees4, Jul 13, 2007
    #15
  16. jtees4

    Mike Marlow Guest

    Master cylinders are always a consideration when a pedal is weak, but they
    also generally give warning. Failures are not typically sudden. I'd never
    discount a master cylinder when looking at a bad pedal, but I wouldn't put
    it anywhere near the front of my list right now. BTW - that was just my
    rambling - I realize you're not rushing into that one.

    FWIW, I just put pads on the front of my wife's 04 Sonata. Really bad
    pedal. I mean - really bad. She drives it daily and the wear was something
    she had grown accustomed to until she drove my car. I drove hers and holy
    cow - that pedal went lowwwww. I got pads for both the front and rear, but
    only put the fronts in due to time constraints. I did not replace the
    rotors, as hers were in very good condition - the best I've ever seen with
    the mileage they had on them. The difference those front pads made was
    remarkable. She thinks she has a brand new car now. I'm much pickier than
    she is about these things, and I was impressed with the difference I saw
    with just front pads. I'll get around to putting the rears in soon. Soon.
    Did I say... soon?

    I suspect you're going to find the quick and happy solution to your problem
    this weekend.
     
    Mike Marlow, Jul 13, 2007
    #16
  17. jtees4

    Deck Guest

    I took my 03 Elantra in for recall and one of the techs said i needed to
    have new pads on the front because the shims were wrong. this was at about
    15000 miles. can you replace the shims, I asked? no you have to do a new
    pad installation. HT is that right???
     
    Deck, Jul 14, 2007
    #17
  18. jtees4

    hyundaitech Guest

    It's possible that the wrong shims would interfere with proper caliper
    operation. I haven't checked to see whether you can get the shims
    separate from the pads, but I'd think you'd just be able to remove the
    shims if they were causing some sort of interference. Their purpose in
    life is to reduce brake squeal, so removing them will present no safety
    hazard.

    By the way, I've never even heard of having the wrong shims. I'm not even
    sure how this would be possible. Normally, the shim fits on top of the pad
    backing plate. If the shim were wrong, I'd think it would stick out past
    the sides of the pad, preventing proper installation.
     
    hyundaitech, Jul 14, 2007
    #18
  19. jtees4

    jtees4 Guest

    When I was doing the pads, I decided to try to put the original shims
    back. I had to pry them off the original pads, but I did end up using
    them. They are not stuck (glued?) on the new pads but they fit OK and
    did not seem to interfere with anything so I left them on.
     
    jtees4, Jul 14, 2007
    #19
  20. jtees4

    hyundaitech Guest

    There shouldn't be an issue of significance, then. Probably, the worst
    situation that can occur is that the shim can move and contact the hub
    portion of the rotor and make a squealing noise.
     
    hyundaitech, Jul 14, 2007
    #20
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