I normally just change the pads and let that be it. Sometimes, while the wheel is off, I shake the suspension parts around to see if anything's loose, and I take a look at the various rubber parts. It's a good time to look for rust also.

With regards to buying stuff online, I usually just get the pads and the pad wear sensors, nothing else. If I have the time, I go through each catagory and look for stuff I might want to have just in case, or for future projects.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside