Does Walmart Replace Brake Pads in 2023

If your mechanic has not checked on your car breaks for some time, or maybe you are driving an old car and think that it is time to replace your car breaks, you may be wondering if you can get your brake pads changed at Walmart via their Auto Care Center. The following is what I discovered.

If you are planning to buy new brake pads from Walmart’s Auto Care Center, you will be disappointed to find out that Walmart does not replace brake pads in-store as of 2023. Walmart, however, provides at-home brake replacement services via the Wrench Mobile Mechanic Service, and the charges for the service begin at $160. However, if you own a sedan or a 4x4 car, you will be delighted to know that Walmart sells brake pads and service tool kits for those cars.

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Does Walmart Replace Brake Pads In 2023?

No, Walmart does not install or replace brake pads at their Walmart Auto Care Center Services in 2023. However, Walmart offers an at-home brake service for $160.71, and they use a licensed mechanic from Wrench Mobile Mechanic Service.

Can I Buy Brake Pads And Parts From Walmart?

Even though Walmart does not service your car brakes at the Auto Center, you can buy all the parts that you need for the repair in the Walmart Store. Walmart sells a wide variety of tools and parts that you will need for the repair. Some of those parts include the brake pads, brake rotors, and brake calipers in their stores.

If you need to do a total replacement of the brakes, buying a brake pad and a rotor kit would be the best option. The kits come with everything that is required for a total replacement. The price of the equipment will be based on the price and the make of your vehicle. The price of the kits normally ranges from $200 or less. The most expensive part is normally the brake calipers which range upwards of $250. The price of the brake pads themselves can be less than $50 and that of the brake rotors can be less than $150.

If you are not sure about the correct tools and parts that you should be buying, the technicians in the Auto Care Center Service at any Walmart would be very happy to help you pick the right parts for the vehicle. Their technicians would also ensure that the best prices are met.

After purchasing the brake pads from Walmart, you may try to make the fix by yourself if you are a trained auto repairman. You should look for a trained repairman to do the repairs if you are not experienced.

How Does Walmart At Home Break Replacement Service Work?

Walmart’s at-home brake replacement service works via the Wrench Mobile Mechanic Service. A licensed professional mechanic is sent to you to offer the repair services. You can buy any parts and tools required for the repair from the Walmart Store. The service costs $160.71 and can be ordered directly from walmart.com, where you have to give additional details of the vehicle that needs the repair.

How Often Should Brake Pads Be Changed?

Since brake pads are a crucial part of every car, they should get high priority every time the car goes for servicing. Many contaminants would cause damage to the brake pads. These contaminants include oils, brake fluids, and grease. Damage to the brake pads is not always easy to detect, and the mechanic should pay extra attention when looking into the brake pads during servicing.

To make the damage to be much easier to detect, some brake pads are equipped with anti-rattle clips. The clips cause a vibration to be felt when the brake pad is applied while they are worn out.

Brake pads should be replaced when they are worn out, contaminated, or for performance reasons. On average, brake pads should be replaced after covering a distance between 40,000 and 50,000 km. If the brake pads are worn out to the base of the thread, one should get them replaced. Old rotors can be reused at times. If the pads are not worn down, the recommended period to replace them is a maximum of three years.

What Happens If You Fail To Replace Your Brake Pads In Time?

It is very dangerous for one to take too long without taking their car for servicing. This is even more important when dealing with brake pads. The main purpose of the brake pads is to protect the rotors. This is because when the brake is applied, the brake pads are pressed to the rotor generating the friction needed to slow down and stop. In the process, there is a lot of heat generated, and the brake pads help distribute it evenly. Some of the ways the rotor can be affected if the owner of the car allows further damage to the brake pads is as follows.

Firstly, the brake pads attached to the metal clamps will begin to grind against the rotor. This could cause the rotor to warp or break. Due to the lack of brake pads, the heat resulting from the friction is not evenly distributed. The resulting damages would prove to be expensive as it would cost double to resurface the rotors compared to what it would have cost if the car were initially taken to the shop at the first indication of a problem.

If the damage was allowed to get worse, excessive damage to the brake calipers would occur. The brake calipers are the metallic plates holding the brake pads and pressing them against the rotor. If the damage exceeds the point that the calipers are rubbing against the rotors, the calipers may end up getting destroyed alongside the rotors. Any damage exceeding this would cause the pistons that push the calipers into position may be popped out of place.

Walmart Auto Center Hours Of Operation

The Walmart stores and Walmart Auto Care Center operate independently of each other and therefore have different times of operation. There are slight variations in hours of operation of different Auto Service Centers depending on the physical location of the Auto Service Center. It is, however important that you first make a call to inquire if the center is open before heading there. The following are the opening hours for the auto care centers.

Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Saturday : 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sundays : 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Where Can I Get My Brakes Serviced?

If you are not confident enough to peek out the parts and hire a maintenance specialist, there are several places that you can take your car to and a professional will service your car brakes. The following are some of the places you may consider.

Midas

This is an American chain of automotive service centers headquartered in Florida. Midas offers the Midas Secure Stop brake service. If you go to Midas with a brake problem, they will conduct a 55-point inspection on your brakes. They also thoroughly inspect your car and give you a report of all the problems that your car has.

Meineke

A franchise-based international automotive repair chain. They offer brake repair services for your entire braking system. They will fix your brake pads, brake fluid, and rotors and can do repairs on most vehicles, including trucks.

NAPA Auto Spares

Mainly deals with the distribution of automotive replacement parts, accessories, and service items. You can get all types of parts and tools that you need to repair your car. They can also replace the brakes for you at a cost of $100 - $1000 depending on your vehicle.

Auto Zone

At Auto Zone, you can get all the parts you need for your vehicle brake repairs. If you want Auto Zone to replace the brakes for you, you will have to pay around $150 - $200 per axel.

Firestone Complete Auto Care

Firestone Complete Auto Care will give you expert advice and top-notch break repairing services. You can make an appointment with them online with just a few clicks. They offer all the maintenance and brake repair services.

How Much Do Brake Parts Cost At Walmart?

The prices of the parts differ a lot based on the brand that you choose. Normally, the brake pads are sold in sets of 4, although you need 8 for the entire vehicle. The cost of the brake pads at Walmart range between $20 and $30. Brake rotors, on the other hand, are sold individually and can cost anywhere from $20 to $80. Brake calipers are sold individually as well, and the price can range from $40 to $120.

What Is The Difference Between The Walmart Store And Walmart Auto Center?

Walmart stores deal with the retailing of general products from different departments. On the other hand, Walmart Auto Care Center is specialized only in vehicle servicing and offers services such as the servicing of the tires, batteries, oil and lube, fuel system, and headlights. They also offer replacement of the windshield and wipers, cabin air filter, and engine air filter. Additional services include the installation of miniature bulbs and valve systems.

Signs Of A Faulty Car Breaking System

If your braking system is damaged, there are a few indicators that might suggest it is time to get the brakes checked. The following are some common indicators that your braking system is faulty

Brake Light On

A common and easy-to-detect indicator is the brake lights being on on your dashboard; this might indicate that there is a potential problem with your braking system or it is time for your regular maintenance check.

Squeaking and Squealing Noises

The second indicator is squealing or squeaking noises emanating from the brakes. Even though the noises are not always an indication of a problem, it could be an indication that your brake pads are worn out. The bits of metal produced by the worn-out brake pads come into contact with the rotor, and thus a high-pitched noise is produced. Apart from the squeaking noises, another common indicator is grinding noises. The grinding noises are produced due to the brake pad or shoe scrapping on metallic points. This could be a serious indication that your brakes need service right away

Leaking Brake Fluid

The brake fluid is used to create the hydraulic pressure required for braking. The brake fluid thus plays a vital role in the entire braking process. If your brake fluid is leaking, you won't be able to break easily. It is therefore recommended that you check your brake fluid more often.

Spongy Or Soft Brakes

One should feel some resistance when pressing the brakes. If your brakes feel rather soft or the pedal moves to the floor when applying the brakes, there is a problem with your braking system. A common issue would be that there is some moisture or air in your braking system. The problem could also originate from the master cylinder.

Vibration While Braking

If the thickness of the rotor is uneven, vibrations might be felt on the steering wheel when you apply the brakes. It is, however, normal for the rotor surface to wear down and eventually become uneven. The vibrations are caused by the uneven transfer of pad bits to the rotor surface. If the problem is not solved, the uneven parts will continue to grow, and this will worsen the problem.

Burning Smells

If your brakes are overheating, they might produce a sharp, chemical odor. If there is smoke coming from the wheel, it might be an indication that there is a problem with the brake calipers. To avoid brake failure, one should pull over and allow the brakes to cool. If the problem gets worse, it would be dangerous to continue driving before the car has been repaired.

Can I Replace Brake Pads by Myself at Home?

Yes, it is possible to replace the car brake pads all by yourself at home, provided that you have the correct parts and tools. One should also have some knowledge of how to do the repairs. If you are not confident enough to do the repairs by yourself, it would be best if you hired a professional to do it for you.

What Brake Parts And Tools Do I Need From Walmart Auto Center To Replace Brake Pads By Myself?

The following are the parts that you will need if you wish to repair the brake pads all by yourself.

Brake cleaner and brake fluid
Brake pads
Brake rotors
A torque wrench and a front/rear disc brake pad spreader set

Conclusion

Walmart does not replace brake pads. Walmart, however, provides at-home brake replacement services via the Wrench Mobile Mechanic Service, and the charges for the service begin at $160. It is also important that you change your brake pads after every 3 years if they do not show any signs of wear before then. One can also change their brake pads by themselves if they prefer to do so. All they require is some tools and parts that they can easily purchase from the Walmart store.