[ZigZag]

My wife's 2014 electric drive has just hit 30,000 miles and the front brakes squeal and also emit a lot of brake dust. Looking to replace pads and rotors so I was wondering if I can skip going to the dealer avoiding their high pricing and go to a reputable place like Meineke or similar. Thanks in advance.

 

[MB DNA]

Looking to replace pads and rotors so I was wondering if I can skip going to the dealer avoiding their high pricing and go to a reputable place like Meineke or similar.

Squealing at the beginning of the day or when brakes are applied???

Yes, nothing special going on with ED's front pads/rotors and I'd suggest that you upgrade the pads to ceramic. As for rotors, may not want to go Chinese cheap but should be choices for a good mid-grade?

Needn't be done by the dealer as any reputable brake shop can do them.

 

[ZigZag]

Actually both, real loud at beginning of the day. Then occasionally during the day. Good to hear so going with upgraded pads and rotors.

 

[jimsokoloff]

Completely conventional brakes. Anyone whom you'd trust to do brakes on a normal car can do the Smarts as well.

I think I recall on another thread that you changed your own tires for snow tires.
If you can do that part of the job, that's at least 1/3 of the effort to change the front brakes.

I'm also in MA and am a fan of the coated rotors (for a little more rust protection on the non-swept portion). I'd probably get the coated rotors ($29 ea on Rockauto) and the Akebono EUR1252 ceramic pads (I'm a huge fan; they're all I use on any of my cars that can use them; very little dusting and I've never had a noise issue) ($39 on Rockauto).
Put 2 rotors and the pads in a cart, apply a 5% Rockauto discount code [10703653554843330], add tax and ground shipping to Cambridge, and I get $113.46 delivered.

I would stay away from aftermarket drilled/slotted/plated/doo-dad'd rotors on cars that didn't come factory equipped that way. The Smart electrics in particular seem to have plenty of braking power already.

 

[Rob22304]

I usually do rotors every other pad change. Disc brakes are pretty standard these days. Changing pads and rotors is an easy DIY.