You can get at least +20 whp from the reduced weight and lower 1/4mi. times if you use your feet to takeoff too!

 

No way, because that business is a franchise and all about margin. When Autozone sells a remanuf. caliper for $79 to us at retail (that is the rear--the fronts are way cheaper), the cost to a place like Midas is $25-$30. But they probably get $200 for it on the bill to the customer. They probably would have to pay at least $125 for an OEM, in which case they would lose $100 of their profit. Buy your own OEM parts and ask Midas to put it in for you--I'd be willing to bet they wont.

That's not true that the person said Midas must replace calipers in pairs. They do that to make the most money, then when the customer says no they try to get anything they can.

If you don't DIY, I can imagine $500 at the dealership for everything replaced, but definitely not Midas. There is nothing quality about that outfit. As I said, the OEM muffler has lasted over 82 months on my car. A Midas replacement is designed to fail at 12-18 months and is not the same quality, period. It doesn't fit the car that well and has a major seam, with the bracket being tack-welded to the body, the point at which it usually corrodes through in as little as a year.

 

So what's the bottom line here

(IMO)
---- The original post mention he had metal on metal, that doens't necessary always mean a siezed caliper.
---- In certain situations some franchise will give you a price quote base on re-placing the entire system. In a case like this, they saw metal on metal, assumed the caliper was exposed to excessive heat and "could" be bad. To reduce the chance of a "come back" they price quote an entire repalcement, even replacing the other side.
---- You know how many times I've work on customers AC system and had quote them comp, condensor, dryer, orifice tube, etc. when it's only their comp that took a dump. That's just the nature of the beast, how am I suppose to know if other components haven't been affected? In a normal situation of just a freon leak, I would have quoted the price just to repaiur that leak.
---- As stated, if he's asking if this is a DIY job, he definately don't have the knowledge or experience to rebuild the calipers.

 

that is why i asked if the parts were OEM. the person i responded to was trying to justify the price saying that the parts were all new. however i am well aware that the parts they would use are coming from autozone, napa or a similar distributor. plus they would be paying less than retail for the parts and trying to replace parts that dont need to be replaced.
in addition to replacing the stuff himself i also recommend that he should have the entire brake system bled, cant hurt to get some new/fresh fluid.

what did they mean by metal on metal? was the brake pad worn down to the backing plate. if that was the case then all he really needs is a new 1 rotor and fresh pads for both sides.

as mentioned before when they say siezed, was it the caliper piston that is siezed (did they try to turn it and push back or just push it back)

or were one of the slide pins locked up. all you need need for that is some wd-40/penetrating lube and some plyers.

as none of us are in his immediate (to inspect personally) area he definetly needs to get a second opinion at another shop. those guys at the midas he went to are a little too hungry for the $$$$$

they werent exactly honest when they said he had to replace all the equipment in pairs.

 

no they are direct OEM replacements not remans but from autozone....labor rates kill