How do I check my rear brakes?

Question

Please forgive me for being car dumb but I would rather know how to check it myself before going to a repair shop and being told I need a $1000 brake job. I have a 05 Dodge Neon. The brakes seem to be scraping in the rear. How do I check them and what do I look for?

Answer 1

First answer was correct. Jack up the car, remove the wheels, un adjust the self adjuster a little, remove the drum and use your micrometer to determine if the drums need to be replaced or resurfaced. No way will it be anywhere near 1000 dollars even if you need the works. I would suggest taking your car to a reputable repair facility that does free brake inspections and get an estimate. If you just need the shoes, hardware, and drums resurfaced it will be under 200 dollars anywhere.

Answer 2

you have to take the wheels off the car. but if you have a way to look at it look to see if the pads are worn or if the rotors or drums are worn to far down to resurface them. If the pads or brake shoes are thinner than its backing plate its usually time to get them replaced. You should also look at the calipers to see if there stuck. Idk what the exact condition is for you car but a $1000 for a brake job usually means the rotors or drums need to be replaced and maybe some calipers if there disc. That scraping sound is probably metal to metal cause you let the pads to wear completly down, so if that is it the drums or rotors will need to be replaced.