hello, so my wife front brakes are requiring a bit more effort to stop and a bit of squeaking so I just called the dealer for pricing and wanted to know what you guys think. Car has 45k miles only.

$150 for a full set of front pads for both sides
$120 each for rotors
$60 for a shim/boot replacement kit

all that with Chicago tax included is about $496. I can do it myself so im saving on labour but I don't want to waste money buying from the dealer if there are perfectly fine parts somewhere else for cheaper that you guys can recommend. with the low miles, im not sure if its necessary to even replace the rotors. I have just always replaced them every time I replaced pads in the past with other cords I've owned.

thoughts?

 

If you are already at the point at those miles indicated needing to change the pads, then your rotors will at least need to be resurfaced. But measuring them will give you the information if it is better money spent to just replace them.
Make sure you read a HOW-TO change your pads on your MAZDA there may be some steps that need to be done that you are not familiar with. I would also recommend replacing the brake fluid at least a basic caliper and brake reservoir replacement.
There are many secure website businesses that offer quality aftermarket brake parts the best known is Rock Auto. However, and this is important NEVER use a retailers parts application guide. Whatever the choice brand of any auto parts is go to the manufacture's web site application guide find your part number and then order it through your choice of parts retailer.
I also recommend not to use any parts retailer that is not listed as authorized dealer of the part or you may not get a true warranty on the part.

 

thank you very much. Do the dealers prices seem steep? I’m going to actually take the tires off and do some inspecting. Probably just gonna bring the pads and rotors to the dealer and see what they say also.

 

Dealers pricing structure is for the most part their choice. Dealerships are actually still an independently owned business so some things they can like any other business choose the retail price on parts and even hourly rate of service.

Be careful and read and understand the service invoice you will sign regarding you bringing your own parts. It gets very complicated who is responsible for things and who is not.

In many independent shops (even our) a wavier is signed that we are not reasonable for any aspect of the parts failure and warranty. And should a part fail the replacement of the part although it may be warranted from the supplier or manufacture the labor to replace them is not.

As for surfacing or not, your new brake pads will bed into the rotor as it is. So if it is not at least resurfaced you will likely not get the normal life or level or performance out of the new pads. This will also likely be noted on your service invoice and may affect the warranty should it be needed.

 

So I just finished replacing the pads and rotors in the front. I thought my brake pedal would of gotten tighter but it still feels soft.

not sure if I did something wrong. Took it for a test drive and the brakes work. I just thought I wouldn’t have to press down as much. Kinda feels the same as before.

 

Then what you posted as no problems means to me you did a good brake service!

Mazda has a softer brake feel then other platforms and even some other model. I have a 2018 Mazda 3 and I think sometime after driving one of my other cars is that the brake feel is softer and takes more foot pressure. But I know that is the way it is designed. If you have a straight stretch of road after you have bed in your new brakes take the Mazda up to about 45 and to a hard brake. I am sure after that you will feel mor confident.

A lot has to do with the brake pads but unless you are comfortable with brake parts wearing faster than expected the extra stopping grip is not worth the extra service on a daily driver.

 

So I went to a different Mazda and got the pads, rotors, shims, and new wiper blades for $427. over a hundred dollars cheaper than the original Mazda I called.

glad to hear that they have a softer feel to their brakes. hopefully I didn't introduce air into the system somehow. I still think I am going to inspect the fluid and see how the color looks. maybe a bleed will help but probably not that much from what I've read.

the only issue I had was pushing the passenger side piston in. my c clamp that I have always used wasn't straight on so It didn't push the rubber around the piston evenly. it was a tiny bit bubbled out on one side. went back on ok and I am pretty certain the bubble didn't catch when I put the piston back on the pads.

I think a bleed might be good regardless..

 

Little late for you now but you can get a complete set of Power Stop performance rotors and pads from Amazon for about $407.
The CX-5 brakes were my only complaint about the vehicle as they feel very mushy.
When it was time for new, I ordered 4-wheel performance kit and had my local shop install them.
They now feel and act the way performance brakes should and definitely improved the braking quality and efficiency.

 

Lobstah, I have the same feelings about the brakes on my 2022 vehicle as you have expressed. I looked at the performance kits on Amazon. I see one from Detroit Axle for $390. Is this the kit that you installed?

 

no I went to the Mazda dealer. Price was good. $427 including new wiper blades and pad kit with shims