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Hey guys, just need your opinions on the prices for brake work.

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Old Jun 27, 2005 | 09:40 PM
  #1  
snair2's Avatar
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Hey guys, just need your opinions on the prices for brake work.

Hey everyone, I'll get straight to the topic.

Well I need to change two brake pads and two rotors, both upfront of the car. The thing is, I took it to a local Shell gas station, and for the two rotors and brake pads, and labor, they told me $310. Does this sound right to go with? Also, a friend of a friend that's a mechanic told me that he'd be able to do the two front rotors and two brake pads for the price between $180 to $200, at most $250.

I just want to know what the typical going rate of this kinda job at a mechanic shop normally goes for.

Thanks all!
Old Jun 27, 2005 | 09:56 PM
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Save a lot of money and gain some experience...DO IT YOURSELF!!! Its not hard.
Old Jun 27, 2005 | 10:04 PM
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Normally I would be all for the do it yourself projects, but currently, I have no time at all to sit down and learn and troubleshoot . I was hoping just to get this done but for the right price and not get screwed over. What's the usual going/average price for getting new front rotors and pads?
Old Jun 27, 2005 | 10:11 PM
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Is there an Autotire near you? I had a rear brake job done that included pads, rotors, and new calipers(one seized up) for just over $500. BTW, the calipers were $150 each. They cut me a deal. That gas station price sounds high. Also, what kind of guarantee do they offer? I question the mechanical skills of most people that work at such places.
Old Jun 27, 2005 | 10:41 PM
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**** thats high. well, pay what you need to now but later, learn how to do it. I mean it because I learned a few months ago and replaced my rear calipers, brakes, and rotors for under 300. the calipers were the most expensive part..well over $100. however, you do live in NYC so I'm sure stuff like that is high.
Old Jun 27, 2005 | 11:14 PM
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i say if that old geezer can do that job."So hey why not me".plus my moms says "hey what are you a man or women. just take out your wheels look at it.grab a allen key and take them out.Estimated price 100 for rear 50 bucks for fronts.Save your self some money or just donated to org.
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 12:07 AM
  #7  
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OEM pads = $60-$70 set
Rotors = $20x2 = $40

time to do it ... remove a total of 4 bolts, slide caliper off, slide pads off, slide caliper bracket off, bang/pull rotors off, and reverse the process.

If you are paying 310 bucks, you are probably paying for ****ty brake pads (20-40 bucks) and probably the same amount for rotors. Just keep in mind, you'll probably end up with crappy pads!
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 12:18 AM
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Do it yourself it is EASY. It is very straight forward and can be done in less than two hours with no experience. Plus you will save yourself about $250 that you can spend on mods.
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 04:17 AM
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Do it yourself for free. It's not hard. I've done it twice since I've owned my maxima. I wouldn't trust anybody else anyway.
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 04:47 AM
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I say do it yourself, its not very diffcult. 5bolts for the rims then, 2 bolts on one side and 5 and 2 on the other.. should not be tough.
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 07:37 AM
  #11  
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I have to agree with most here do the job yourself. Look at Stillen online, they are selling cross drilled rotors as a set for about 125. I just spent 180 to do my front brakes with the cross drilled and pads. Will be doing the rear next for about the same.

The job should only take you about an hour to an hour and a half start to finish.
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 08:02 AM
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DIY is fine for those who have the time, work space, and physical tools. Not everyone falls into that category. For those whoo cannot DIY (like myself), my advice is to buy the parts yourself and get quotes on just the labor to install them.
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 08:25 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by dr-rjp
DIY is fine for those who have the time, work space, and physical tools. Not everyone falls into that category. For those whoo cannot DIY (like myself), my advice is to buy the parts yourself and get quotes on just the labor to install them.
That's what I did recently for the rears. I got a corporate discount on rear calipers and brake pads at a local auto parts store. Prior to that I got a few quotes and went with one: 1 hour labor to install two rebuilt rear calipers, clean up rear brakes and rotors, install pads and bleed brakes. All in Cdn$400 or about US$325. The rotors were good to go.

I question the quality of $20 front rotors.
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 08:28 AM
  #14  
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well, depending on price of parts:

2 rotors-$60
2 pads-$30
90 min work at $70/h-$105
$195+tax@7%- $210(the $250 is close but $310 seems a little high unless they are using high quality parts which I doubt)
Old Jun 28, 2005 | 10:13 PM
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Hey guys, I got the job done for $315. I really didn't have time at the moment and I needed a car for the week. Well, I took the car to a friend of a friend's shop instead of Shell. He did it all for $315, which included two new front rotors, two pairs of new front brake pads, and also a new caliper for the driverside. I think the price was pretty good. The caliper was damaged even after driving the car for about 5 minutes without a brake pad on, everything is good! Also what does a little smoke coming out of the rotor area mean? Does this mean I'm putting too much pressure on new rotors, or is this normal?
Old Jun 29, 2005 | 06:07 AM
  #16  
VanHowie's Avatar
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From: San Diego
anyone have those power slot rotors and hawk brake pads combo that custommaxima has? if so are they worth the money?
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