Hi guys, sorry if I'm asking a stupid question but I was wondering how much it normally costs to get my brake pads replaced. I know it'll cost more depending on the type of brake pads I might get too..so I'll ask for some stock Nissan or OEM brakepads for my 97 Maxima. I'm in the Bay Area (specifically Berkeley) so I could use any recommendation people might have as to where I can take my car for good service. I appreciate any input anybody can give me.

 

The cheapest option (and IMO the best) is to do it yourself. If you are even the slightest bit mechanically inclined - it's real easy. I just did my front pads last weekend and the entire thing took about 2 hours to do. There are excellent directions on www.motorvate.ca and when you do it yourself, you know you do it right.

I learned my lesson when I took my old car to Brake Check a few years ago. Came back worse than it went in.

FYI: I used the Raybestos Quiet Stops, a little expensive - but worth every penny. Total Cost - $64.00 for the pads (front) - $10.00 to resurface the rotors - $8.50 for the brake hardware kit. Total = $ 82.50

You could get it done for less than that - (I've seen as low as $49.99 - but most of the places will use really inferior pads etc.

 

The dealer will charge you roughly $150 to install new brake pads and turn the rotors (all 4 wheels). You'll probably save a few $$ having an independent mechanic do it.

My advice? Save your money and do it yourself. I did all 4 wheels for the first time just a few weekends ago...I was a bit nervous going into it, but now that I've done it, I'm glad I did. It wasn't that hard. Just be patient and you'll have no problems. Good luck.

 

Yeah definatly do it yourself. Check the how to's on here if you are not sure how. It is really easy, the only tricky thing is the piston on the rear breaks. Instead of just pushing it in you have to twist and push at the same time with a pair of needle nose pliers or something.

 

Yeah that's the best way to go..

 

I was thinking of doing this myself too except I don't have any tools on me. BTW, I just called some local dealers for price quotes on the brake job. One was charging $220, while the other was charging $270. I don't know what the hell they're smoking, but I don't think I will pay that much.

Personally, I kinda do want to do it myself just to learn anyways. But, I don't have the tools nor anybody I know around here does. We're all poor college students. I've got a RSB and a FSTB waiting to be put on too.

 

Normally I bought the parts and ask my machanic to do it for me. I park on the street, and like you, I don't have any tools. My mechanic charge $45 for the front and he is located in Fremont.

You can order whatever part you want. Let me know if you need the number.

 

no tool problem is easy. you can go to autozone or something to borrow and pay some deposite or you can go to walmart and buy some of those cheap tools (the whole set) for less than $20 and $10 for the jack stand(consider the dealer want $200, $30 is nothing and can be reused and yes, here in walmart sell $8.00 jack stand). cheap tool will do just fine for changing brake pad (other than rusted bolt or something). than look at the website above or the Haynes manual and do it yourself.
second cheap option is to see if anyone here will help you.
third cheap option is to look at the newspaper. find some independent mechanic who take phone call and go to your place. those people are pretty cheap since they don't have shop or tax to pay (not sure about illegal, but you probably don't care). not sure in CA, but here can be as cheap as $10 for each brake pad install.
good luck.

 

Hi SunMax, if you could get me that number of the mechanic, that'd be great. I don't know any mechanics and Berkeley/Oakland and don't know if I can trust them. I wouldn't mind driving a bit out for a better and cheaper mechanic. Besides, I could probably visit friends and family while i'm out there.

 

where can I get aftermarket shim kits for the maxima? nissan wants like $35 here for the front kit

 

oem nissan pads and the brake kit (whatever that is...i'm assuming it's shims) is $52.79 from tustin