Automotive Brake Job Cost Question

happ

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Sep 22, 2010
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Is it ok if mechanic installs two different rear brake calipers to save money?
 

Ceiling Cat

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Feb 25, 2009
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Is it ok if mechanic installs two different rear brake calipers to save money?
No, wheels, tires and break parts must always match. Otherwise your life is at risk.
 
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dsc

Active member
Oct 8, 2003
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I think you have to define what you mean by different, to give a better answer.
If you are saying the caliper casting doesn’t look the same, that should be ok. There are multiple casters that produce the raw casting and they will have different gate/riser locations, so the casting can look a little different based on who produced it. When it comes to rebuilders they just rebuild whatever they have and it can be used on multiple years of vehicle. The older and more common the vehicle, the more this mix and match happens.
Good reference is Rockauto.com, to see what is being sold as replacement (and cost).
 

lessjamie7

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Mar 10, 2013
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You are getting ripped off and this is why:

front rotor msrp: 112
rear rotor msrp: 96

pads another 200 for all four.

thats 600 for brand new pads and rotors. they are however only re-machining your old rotors. most mechanics will charge around 20-40 per rotor to remachine + pads and labour.

about 400 for what they are providing would be fair, 800 you are getting hosed.
So $600 for parts according to you and $200 for labour? sounds reasonable to me

LJ
 

lessjamie7

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Mar 10, 2013
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You should be able to get it done for under 300 dollars. Buy cheap after market parts. They last just as long as the oringinal parts and can be better quailty. GM cars are always cheaper to fix than foreign cars. Buy your parts in Buffalo and you can do a break job with new rotors and pads for under 200bucks. I did my 2004 gran prix for 196 dollars. Watch youtube and they will show you step buy step. My neice paid 1200 dollars for her junky 4 year old mazda.
$7600 dollars for an AMG
 

WoodPeckr

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May 29, 2002
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Been doing my own brake jobs, along with minor and intermediate repairs, for years and saved tons of money but you have to know what you are doing.
Big 3 domestic car parts are always cost less than foreign car parts.

Been leasing my last few vehicles so haven't had need to do any brake jobs in years.
That said was shocked to see what GM is charging for brake jobs today.

Everything is listed on a good, better, best basis now, with price going up accordingly and warranty covering the job going from 1-2 years.
Also there are now 3 levels of brake jobs on; cars, small suvs and full size trucks/big suvs, with price going up accordingly, which is ridiculous because the only real difference is the size of the disc pads and calipers are slighter larger in each case.

Note, car/small suv 2 wheel ft brake jobs start at $155 - $360.
Big truck/big suv 2 wheel ft brake jobs go from $290 - $500!

I only go to a dealership when vehicle is under full warranty.
Better off going to a local mechanic you trust.
 
Last edited:
Ashley Madison
Toronto Escorts