Automotive Brake Job Cost Question

[Petzel]

+1

Dealers make big bucks on maintenance programs. Far better to develop an ongoing relationship with an independent mechanic who will source quality aftermarket parts for you and charge a more reasonable labour rate.

I've got a terrific mechanic who saves me huge costs ... (eg, catalytic converter replaced for $260 including tax) and brakes at half the price quoted by dealer.

You might want to ask whether anybody can suggest a good mechanic in your neighborhood.

Rarely do independant mechanics get you a rental car at N/C while your car is in for the day or overnight being repaired.

 

[spraggamuffin]

OldMill GM has a special on front brake pads only.

$139 plus tax for ACDelco front pad replacement.

http://www.oldmillgm.ca/stopping-in-was-the-right-choice/

Can't understand how they can do oil changes for $9 though.

Seen this advertised at their St Clair location. Maybe recycled oil or Loss Leader?

 

[simon482]

800$ seems a little high to me but i got no idea what you drive. my cars i can do a complete front end brakes rotors and pads for 250$. if you are not yet crunching or metal on metal you don't need rotors, just pads. if you hear the squeal get it done soon and save yourself some cash.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I have a Toyota Camry at 80,000 km. mileage. The brakes need service. I was told at the last oil change that the front brakes need to be changes and the rear brakes can go further but they should be changed at the same time for a total of $925 plus tax. dealer price. Where can I get a better deal?

My buddy Got an estimate for brakes on his Venza for $900 plus tax . I suggested that he take his car across the border and pick up ceramic brake pads at a Pep Boys store. The cheapies go for $12 a set ( not ceramic ). Good quality ceramic brakes go for $30, and the premium pads cost $70 a set. The disc are about $30 each. He took along a ratchet handle with 2 sockets and a long screw driver and did his brakes for about $60. He changed the pads only, the disc were still OK.
Ceramic pads make less dust, there is less noise and they last a long time.

 

[larry]

i also do my brakes. but i don't know if the OP can. if so, he would have done them already. so $800 for all pads/rotors? probably will cost more. they all under-estimate to get you in the shop. brake fluid, misc shop charges??, maybe they "find" a rusted emerg brake cable, who knows. you're at their mercy. it's very tough to find a legit mechanic. i use CAA recommendations if i have to. also, comparing parts costs without labour to a fully insured garage isn't real. the mechanic also puts his certificate on the line and guarantees the job. with rework being free. i would never do brakes for someone else. the liability is huge.

 

[highpark]

Unless you're a qualified mechanic with experience DON'T do it yourself.
800 sounds about rift for a 4 wheel break job done at dealer or quality auto repair shop. If u shop around u might get a little cheaper but who knows what quality you'll get. Stick with dealer. Or quality repair shop. Pay the 800 once every three or four years and have peace of mind and a safe car.

 

[Ceiling Cat]

Unless you're a qualified mechanic with experience DON'T do it yourself.
800 sounds about rift for a 4 wheel break job done at dealer or quality auto repair shop. If u shop around u might get a little cheaper but who knows what quality you'll get. Stick with dealer. Or quality repair shop. Pay the 800 once every three or four years and have peace of mind and a safe car.

Easy job to do, especially if you have 4 disc brakes.

 

[curiousandlooking]

I don't know but it sounds like they are just replacing pads and re-surfacing the rotors. I would skip the rotor re-surface as its likely not required or they would replace them. You should be able to get this done for way less - like $400-$500

 

[Ceiling Cat]

I don't know but it sounds like they are just replacing pads and re-surfacing the rotors. I would skip the rotor re-surface as its likely not required or they would replace them. You should be able to get this done for way less - like $400-$500

Or do it yourself, the Pep Boys Ceramic pads cost $30 a set X 2 = $60 The rotors go for $30 each x 4 - $120. For a total of $180. The rotors may still be good and do not need to be changed. In Europe they do not machine the rotors, if they are grooved up they replace them. CDN Tire parts cost will be double the Pep Boys price.

 

[yousostrong]

Lots of good advice on here. Also check out rockauto.com. All 4 corners came in a kit for my car. The brand was powerstop slotted and drilled rotors and matching ceramic pads. I believe they have similar kits with blanks if you don't want drilled rotors. I've had them in my car for over a year and I love them. I've also purchased wheel bearings from rockauto and they were the best price that I could find. Shipping costs are all inclusive to Canada. You can also find discount codes online to get an additional 5% off the web pricing. Most shops that I called charge 3 hours labour (around $300) to replace all 4 corners

 

[DshRipRock]

I just paid 550 for new ceramic front pads and new front rotors. For a 2010 Subaru Tribeca.

 

[Yoga Face]

http://www.apa.ca/


join this and they will guide u to a good mechanic and, give estimates

 

[WoodPeckr]

I just paid 550 for new ceramic front pads and new front rotors. For a 2010 Subaru Tribeca.

That's what happens when you buy foreign cars, all parts are very costly.....:eyebrows:

 

[Ceiling Cat]

That's what happens when you buy foreign cars, all parts are very costly.....:eyebrows:

If you have a very popular car, you have a wide range of levels of quality and manufacturers to choose from. Brake pads for a Honda accord or a Toyota Camry will go from lower quality to high end. I have a back wheel drive German car that I do not drive in the snow or ice and a medium range Japanese car for year round. I can go with the $30 good quality ceramic pads or the premium $70 pads for the Japanese car, but I have to buy the premium pads for the German car ( $135 ). So on German cars it is + 35 - 40% at the premium end just for the pads. Imagine what the German car dealers will charge you for brake service.

 

[TeasePlease]

Fuck. $800 for all four corners???

I pay $800 on each end.

Thank gawd I don't drive an Aston Martin.

 

[gdurham]

brakes are a real rip off if you go to most dealerships. for example on a north american truck doing the front brakes will run you about $800. A brother of a friend has a hoist in his garage and charged me $250 - and gave me the reciept for the parts which were a total of $180

 

[jjbee62]

Any shop that you go to will mark up the parts at a minimum 50% over their cost, and you'll have a tough time finding someplace with that low of a markup, most will charge 67-125% extra on the parts.

If you choose to go to either a dealer or a shop, take a good look underneath your car first. If front wheel drive, check the rubber boots on the CV (constant velocity) joints for splits and cracks. Also check belts, hoses and brake lines for damage. Unscrupulous shops can double or triple your costs with a razor blade and just a few seconds. You are less likely to experience this at a dealership, especially if you purchased the vehicle from them, but it can happen.

 

[fmahovalich]

Yeah that is way too expensive for a set of pads and rotor "resurfacing"

Pads are likely 20 per tire. Lets say 30 with taxes

Pads are sold by the pair..so at 60... That's a good set for a Pontiac.

Resurfacing is simply time.....no parts required....and really not a lot of time, as the turning happens on its own...without a guy at the machine....he is usually working on another tire while one rotor is 'resurfaced'

So by my math, they are billing you 30 for the parts and 170 for time....PER TIRE.

WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!

Now to save..you could go to NAPA...buy the parts yourself. Save on markup. And time wise..you might save too...if you just buy new rotors. The shop is charging shop rates per hour...so the more time you can cut out the better.

I do my own...and for the OP....check out YouTube.....tons of videos on HOW TO.....anD you would be surprised how easy it is to slide in pads on most cars.

 

[Doctor Zoidburg]

My buddy Got an estimate for brakes on his Venza for $900 plus tax . I suggested that he take his car across the border and pick up ceramic brake pads at a Pep Boys store. The cheapies go for $12 a set ( not ceramic ). Good quality ceramic brakes go for $30, and the premium pads cost $70 a set. The disc are about $30 each. He took along a ratchet handle with 2 sockets and a long screw driver and did his brakes for about $60. He changed the pads only, the disc were still OK.
Ceramic pads make less dust, there is less noise and they last a long time.

I took my brakes apart on my Subaru Outback. It seems easy to take apart and put back together. The front pads and rotors must be changed and The back ones can go for a while. I am planning to take the car across the border and get the parts and slap them on myself.
Is there anything that I have to know before I cheat the Subaru dealership out of a fat juicy brakejob?

 

[nottyboi]

I took my brakes apart on my Subaru Outback. It seems easy to take apart and put back together. The front pads and rotors must be changed and The back ones can go for a while. I am planning to take the car across the border and get the parts and slap them on myself.
Is there anything that I have to know before I cheat the Subaru dealership out of a fat juicy brakejob?

You don't really need to change the rotors unless they are vibrating or below min thickness