I've had my 2000 Mazda Protege SE for a year now. I've managed to clock 39,450km (24,514 miles) on it and it has had no major problems. However, the warning scrapers on the front brake pads have begun squealing and my Mazda garage has recommended that I replace the pads and service the rear drums at the same time. This will cost over $200! My car has a 5spd manual transmisson and I do use the gears to help me slow down, and somehow I feel that this brake wear is premature. The warranty booklet says that "brake linings" are not covered under the standard 80,000km warranty. If anyone can shed some light on this confusion I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

adrianingib@hotmail.com

brake pads themselves would cost something about $25 or even less (both front wheels, 4 pads total). changing takes 20 minutes for any more or less skilled person and probably an hour for everyone else willing to do so. no special equipment (except for jack and wrench) required. i've done this last month on my protege '94.

Yeah, I agree the front pads are a snap to change.2 14mm bolts is all you have to remove, and you'll have to compress the piston to fit the new thicker pads,I do this by by hand with an upside-down hammer and slow constant pressure and you'll see the piston retract slowly, i'ts not important how hard you push just constant pressure.Protege's rear drum brakes are equipped with an auto-adjusting rear drum ratchet, just reverse the car and stamp the brakes a couple of times and you'r rear brakes will tighten up.Do this every few weeks and you'll get less wear on the front pads.The rear brake shoes usually last 90'000km's and the front go much faster around 30-40'000km's if you don't downshift much like me.I\d rather change pads then change my clutch and decompression can't be all that good for you'r motor!