Market rate for brakes?

"GreenN_Gold" (GreenN_Gold) 10/28/2016 at 12:18 • Filed to: None

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I haven’t had brakes done in about 10 years. I got quoted about ~$600 for front and rear pads and calipers from a large chain. Is that ballpark? (4-wheel disc, WRX). I think I just have sticker shock because so much time has passed since I’ve needed brakes. I think I paid ~$300 10 years ago from the same company, and that was a disc/drum set up.

They said they won’t do the pads without doing the calipers.

(You can spare me the “do it yourself” suggestion. Ain’t happening.)

jimz > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:21

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find a different shop. Those large chains are masters at trying to upsell you on shit you don’t need. if the calipers aren’t sticking or leaking, they shouldn’t need replacing.

crowmolly > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:22

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Eh?

$600 for pads and calipers? What about the rotors?

$600 for pads, rotors, calipers, and a bleed due to changing calipers actually seems too cheap to me.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:24

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If you did them yourself it would take 1.5 to 2 hours and $250-ish in parts for pads and rotors.

$125/hr for labor + 25% bump in parts cost = $500.

So the calipers are $100, sounds fair.

I do the work myself so I haven’t priced brakes in a decade, otherwise I’d be better at helping.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:24

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I paid $735 for just the fronts yesterday. That said...

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/thank-you-gm-so-much-for-this-1788288969

NostalgicCarLife > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:25

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What do they think is wrong with the callipers? They tend to go several decades without needing replacement.

GreenN_Gold > crowmolly 10/28/2016 at 12:25

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No rotors included in the quote

GreenN_Gold > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 10/28/2016 at 12:26

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No rotors included in the quote.

crowmolly > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:27

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Ask what they do to them. Hopefully they resurface.

I’d be concerned as to why you need 4 calipers and I think the replacement parts may be of questionable quality.

GreenN_Gold > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 10/28/2016 at 12:27

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I see. Thanks for the link/story.

GreenN_Gold > NostalgicCarLife 10/28/2016 at 12:29

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They didn’t say anything was wrong with them, they hadn’t looked at them yet when they quoted me. It’s just their policy. They won’t replace pads without doing the calipers. Must be a liability thing.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:30

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It needs calipers but not rotors?

GreenN_Gold > crowmolly 10/28/2016 at 12:30

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It’s basically their policy. They won’t do pads without calipers.

NostalgicCarLife > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:31

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No, sounds like they’re just hoping to rip off clueless people. I used to work for a Subaru dealer, and that’s complete nonsense to suggest pads and callipers need to be replaced at the same time. Unless something is wrong with the callipers there’s no reason.

GreenN_Gold > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 10/28/2016 at 12:31

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I don’t know that it needs calipers. It’s their policy that they won’t do pads without calipers.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:31

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And btw I think crowmolly is right... Parts cost me $370 CAD. That’s about $285 USD right now, x2 for front and back is $570... something is off here.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > crowmolly 10/28/2016 at 12:33

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Aluminum calipers, probably.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:33

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That’s borderline insane. Any other shops you can work with? That’s just money out the window.

GreenN_Gold > NostalgicCarLife 10/28/2016 at 12:34

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Thanks. I don’t recall that being their own policy 10 years ago either. I specifically asked, “You’re talking about calipers and not rotors?” and they said yes. I’ll get another quote elsewhere.

GreenN_Gold > PotbellyJoe and 42 others 10/28/2016 at 12:35

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Yes, I will go elsewhere and get another quote. Glad I asked oppo!

My gut reaction was correct, because I would have suspected maybe surface/replace rotors (although they seem perfectly fine to my naked eye and my brake pedal feel) but I’ve never had to do calipers on any vehicle.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > NostalgicCarLife 10/28/2016 at 12:36

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I don’t know if this is the case here, but I was once told that aluminum calipers should be replaced with the rest of the brake job. Can’t remember why.

functionoverfashion > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 12:52

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I think others covered it, that there’s no reason to replace calipers at all. Replacing rotors with pads, while not always necessary, would make some kind of sense. To have a whole policy that calipers get replaced? WTF? I’ve never heard of that. That’s like replacing your wheels when you get new tires.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 13:01

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Why do they want to do the calipers? Calipers will last almost the life of the vehicle. Some people will say you should replace or resurface the rotors when you do pads but you don’t really have to. I see no reason why the calipers would need to be done.

uofime-2 > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 13:06

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Pads are not hard to change, I swaped mine like 4 times this year.... Just make sure you get the torque right. on the bolts, 20ft-lbs IIRC

Boxer_4 > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 13:08

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I just had new pads, calipers serviced, and rotors resurfaced on all four corners of the 09 Forester last weekend for ~$540 at the dealer.

When you say calipers, do they mean new calipers, do they mean serviced (greased), or do they mean rebuilt (new seals, possibly new pistons).

$600 seems way to cheap for new calipers, more in line with a rebuild, and too expensive for being serviced.

You should also verify what they are doing with the rotors, since they should be resurfaced at the very least.

smobgirl > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 13:12

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I was quoted $650 for pads and rotors from a shop I know over-charges for oil changes. Probably not unreasonable except they didn’t actually need replaced.

Had a guy up the street resurface the rotors and replace the pads just for a fresh start anyway and he charged $150. I think it all depends on where you go.

GreenN_Gold > functionoverfashion 10/28/2016 at 13:22

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Thanks for the input!

I don’t recall it being their policy last time around either. I was probably dealing with a liar, an idiot, or a shop that’s hard up for money right now. Probably all three.

GreenN_Gold > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 10/28/2016 at 13:23

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Seems everyone agrees with you.

JGrabowMSt > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 13:31

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If they wont do pads without rotors, dont go. Thats absurd.

For the $60 worth of pads you need, Im sorry, but I wont spare you. less than two hours, and you save a lot of cash.

Are you in NJ? Ill take your $600 and do it.

GreenN_Gold > uofime-2 10/28/2016 at 13:31

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I don’t have the proper tools, and I haven’t done brakes in 20 years, and that was with experienced supervision.

I’ll end up at the bottom of a cliff.

GreenN_Gold > Boxer_4 10/28/2016 at 13:39

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I’ve considered getting a quote from the dealer.

Thanks for the input!

GreenN_Gold > JGrabowMSt 10/28/2016 at 13:42

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They’ll leave the rotors, they said they won’t do the pads without calipers. I’ll be getting a quote elsewhere.

Doing it myself is not an option.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 13:48

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My front discs cost $1000 each. Count yourself lucky.

uofime-2 > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 13:59

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.... yea some goon didn’t think they needed to use a torque wrench on mine and the rear caliper hopped off the disk on a bumpy road causing me a momentary loss of brakes I don’t know why I keep trusting them to work on the car haha

For the amount they’re asking you could literally go buy and or rent all the tools and still come out ahead. Fancyish race pads are only $300 a set! for street driving you’d be happy with some 80$ napa gold ones or whatever.

Unless of course your stuff is all rusty, then go ahead and pay someone else to deal with it.

GreenN_Gold > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches 10/28/2016 at 13:59

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This is why, as I continue climbing tax brackets in life, I still shy away from expensive cars with expensive maintenance.

My sincere condolences, however, if your Veloster or Malibu has $1,000 rotors.

GreenN_Gold > uofime-2 10/28/2016 at 14:01

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No rust where you wouldn’t expect it. There’s always the risk of having a goon do my brakes, but if I do it myself I’m guaranteed to have a goon do my brakes.

LongbowMkII > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 14:05

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A failing caliper is very noticeable. Why are they saying that the caliper must be changed? Even the shadiest shop shouldn’t bother making new calipers a policy. Pads are easy money for shops. Caliper changes take some time and add a lot more risk to the shop. Even if they plan on just SAYING they’ll do it (and then not), that seems like a big lie to make just a more if it doesn’t scare people off (as it should).

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 14:08

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I mean it is a Mercedes S600 with brakes the size of dinner plates so it sort of makes sense.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 14:10

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I should add that that is including labor.

LongbowMkII > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 10/28/2016 at 14:11

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Higher rate of expansion?

Still doesn’t make sense as that’d put the manufacturer with a ton of risk if a non wear item like calipers are only designed for 50-70 thousand miles.

You thought unintended acceleration and bad ignitions brought bad press, Imagine the outcry over “’MANUFACTURER X’ BRAKE FAILURES” headlines.

GreenN_Gold > LongbowMkII 10/28/2016 at 14:11

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Another commenter pointed at that they weren’t exactly clear what they were doing to the calipers. I didn’t ask many questions because I had already heard enough that I knew I needed to do more research.

uofime-2 > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 14:25

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It really is easy, just mind your torque specs, there’s only 2. 89ft-lbs for the lugnuts and 20ft-lbs for the two caliper bolts (those are also the only fasteners you have to touch.

GreenN_Gold > uofime-2 10/28/2016 at 14:30

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I recall discs being pretty easy. It was the drums that were a pain IMO.

Can I borrow your torque wrench?

uofime-2 > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 15:13

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4 wheel discs have the befit of being super easy!

If you’re in Chicago, absolutely. If not O’Rileys, autozone, ect will loan you one, borrow a caliper spreader while your there or you can use an old pad and a clamp

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 16:06

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If you’re in the Pacific northwest, or maybe even just the left half of the country I can probably guess which chain this is. I know of one that has the same policy. It’s an absolute rip of.

I’ve been wrenching professionally for at least a few minutes and I’ve only replaced a handful of failed calipers. Half of those were crazy old, half were damaged from outside influence, and maybe a few were legitimate parts failures.

The chain I’m thinking of uses some shitty bargain brand caliper that always ends up super rusty within a few months. And where I live, things don’t rust. We see more issues with their calipers than any OE part. They’re incredibly inferior. Plus, I can charge less for pads and rotors using factory parts than they do just doing crap aftermarket pads and unnecessary calipers. And another thing, their pads and rotors always squeal like crazy after a few weeks.

Avoid that shop.

GreenN_Gold > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 10/28/2016 at 16:25

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It was Les Schwab. I only left out the name because I figured it wouldn’t be recognizable by everyone.

They did my brakes before and everything worked out fine, but it was a different store, and it was 10 years ago. And that vehicle had warped rotors, so they did the rotors, too. I don’t recall them saying anything about the calipers back then, but again, it was a different store and a long time ago.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 17:28

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Lol exactly what I thought. Avoid, please. They’re adequate for a lot of things, but for the love of oppo, don’t let them put calipers on your car.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > GreenN_Gold 10/28/2016 at 18:17

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Any mom and pop shops around? Maybe get a recommendation from your local subie owners group? I can understand pads and rotors, but never calipers unless absolutely necessary. I normally swap rotors every other pad change, but normally just a cleaning and greasing the hardware on the calipers is plenty. Good luck.