At 76000 miles I noticed a loud grinding noise when I tried to stop quickly, assuming the brakes were worn out I went to the NAPA store and ordered new rotors and ceramic brake pads. it took about 45 minutes to install both sides and bleed the system. super easy job. I hope the ceramic pads will stop the massive amounts of brake dust.
Total cost for rotors and pads..$258 with tax. hope they last but they do have a lifetime warranty if they wear out
The old pads and rotors were worn but I think the would have lasted a while longer, I am impressed that they lasted as long as they did.
Other than oil changes and new tires this is the only maintenance this 03 tribute has had.

 

76000 miles...wow ours is at 46000 and needs the front brakes done. What kind of rotors and pads did you get? Also do you remember what size the nut that holds the rotor on was? Was it standard or metric?

Thanks, Luc

 

76,000 is fairly impressive for first set of front brakes on a Tribute. Hopefully by only service outside of oil changes and tires you do not mean that the transmission oil and rear end oil has not been changed along with things such as air and fuel filters.

You should not need to remove any other nuts or bolts to remove the rotor after taking off the wheel except of the two 7 mm Allen head bolts for the caliper and two 18mm bolts for the caliper mounts. There are sometimes some quick nuts on the lug studs between the wheel and rotor that you will also have to remove in order to get the rotor off.

 

Question:
To install just the front pads...Do you have to 'flip up"the caliber. If so which screw do you remove.

Just asking as for a toyota you leave the caliber and just remove two pins. There is alwasy an 'easy trick' to everything

thanks

 

Some of the older mazda's had that style with the two pins as well but not in the case of the Tribute. Need to pull the caliper tension spring off first and then remove caps for the upper and lower slides. Both slide pins need to be removed with a 7mm allen wrench and then caliper pulled straight out. Will probably need to push the piston in a bit as well as the pad binds up in the pad path worn into the rotor. Make to check and replace the rotors if needed. Do not think I have ever seen a Trib that needs pads without rotors as well. Too thin of a rotor will not only warp much easier but will greatly increase pad wear due to the rotors inability to disapate heat off fast enough.

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Thank you baby huey...love pics!

 

Welcome Nucferr. I love pics too. Much easier to show then try and explain. Guess that goes with the old saying " A picture is worth a thousand words". Can't misspel a pic either. doh!! Did it again.