Troubleshooter: Do you really need to replace certain parts in pairs?
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Sometimes, a recommended fix could seem like a cash grab — but it's usually justified
by Brian Turner | June 25, 2020
Do you really need to replace brake parts in pairs? Supplied / iStock.com via Getty Images
More often than not, customers are presented with recommended fixes that, on the surface, don't make sense and seem like a money grab. But dig a little deeper and you'll likely find out these recommendations are on the up-and-up and proposed to ensure a solid repair that lasts. Here are a few that have resulted in more than a few head-scratches.
Timing belt and water pump replacement
On many gas engines, the water pump must be removed to access the timing belt or chain, and almost all timing belts require routine replacement around 100,000-kilometre intervals. Sometimes, the water pump seal may fail after it sits on a bench while the timing belt/chain is being serviced, causing a coolant leak.
Other times, it's simply a matter of caution. Few customers would be happy to learn they wouldn't have incurred any extra labour fees if they had the water pump replaced at the same time their timing belt/chain was being serviced. Personally, I've known a few techs that submerged certain water-pumps in a pail of engine coolant while they did the work on the engine to protect the seal, but that won't necessarily solve every pump's risk of failure.
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Replacing parts in pairs
You may hear this a lot when dealing with brakes, and it's quite true when referring to brake pads and rotors. Yes, you may have completely worn out a set of pads on one wheel first, but in order to keep the stopping power equal between wheels on the same axle, you'll need to replace these components in pairs.
Things get a little hazier when dealing with brake calipers. Just because one caliper seized, doesn't mean the other side is likely to as well. The main cause of this condition is letting the brake pads get too thin; at that point, the caliper's piston extends farther out than it should and exposes its surface to corrosion. If the caliper that didn't seize because of this has pads worn past their minimum thickness, suggesting its replacement along with the other side is a good idea.
In other circumstances, the manufacturer could've changed the parts design and recommends in pairs to ensure proper system function. Sometimes, it's merely a cosmetic difference that almost anyone could live with and other times, the difference can negatively affect performance or function.
Recalibrating electronics after replacing your windshield
You can expect to hear this one more often, as vehicles are loaded up with more active safety tech. Many vehicles use optical sensors that require adjustment after a windshield is replaced. Sometimes, errant diagnostic trouble codes will even pop up after bumper-mounted sensors are replaced after a collision repair, therefore requiring a scan with specialized equipment.
When in doubt, ask questions
If there's a moral to this tale, it's to ask questions when things seem off. In most cases, you'll find your trusted service provider really does have your interests in mind, and most are happy to provide some useful education to their customers.
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