How much should a brake job cost?

[glowstang93]

Well my Pony now has 81,700 miles on her now and its been 45,000 miles since I have had the brakes inspected. They don't feel like they are grabbing smoothly or as good as they used to, so I took them to my usual shop which I trust to do a good job. The front rotors had to be replaced as well as the pads. The rear wheel cylinders and shoes had to be replaced also. The drums were also turned. Got the front wheel bearings greased during the process too. Here is a breakdown on what they charged. I was just wondering if I got took on the price or if it sounds reasonable. I have already decided that even if it turns out the labor costs were a little high, it is worth the extra to know it is done correctly and carefully.

Well, here is the list of parts that were replaced.

1 pt Brake Fluid 2.60
1 Set of Brake Pads 53.32
2 Front Rotors 83.04
2 oil seals 6.68
1 Set of Brake Shoes 36.45
2 Wheel Cylinders 23.82
Total: 205.91
Labor was 129.60 for the front and 146.50 for the rear. Grand Total: 505.57

 

[dec322]

It sounds pretty reasonable to me. The front pads seem to be a little expensive. Are they a special brand?

 

[glowstang93]

I don't think the front pads were anything real special. The 53.32 divided by 2 is only 26.66 for each set. Thats about what most of them I have seen online at the autoparts site. Does 26.66 still seem high?

 

[old_blue]

Well my Pony now has 81,700 miles on her now and its been 45,000 miles since I have had the brakes inspected. They don't feel like they are grabbing smoothly or as good as they used to, so I took them to my usual shop which I trust to do a good job. The front rotors had to be replaced as well as the pads. The rear wheel cylinders and shoes had to be replaced also. The drums were also turned. Got the front wheel bearings greased during the process too. Here is a breakdown on what they charged. I was just wondering if I got took on the price or if it sounds reasonable. I have already decided that even if it turns out the labor costs were a little high, it is worth the extra to know it is done correctly and carefully.

Well, here is the list of parts that were replaced.

1 pt Brake Fluid 2.60
1 Set of Brake Pads 53.32
2 Front Rotors 83.04
2 oil seals 6.68
1 Set of Brake Shoes 36.45
2 Wheel Cylinders 23.82
Total: 205.91
Labor was 129.60 for the front and 146.50 for the rear. Grand Total: 505.57

You couldn't have the rotors turned? Decent price on the parts and I assume they get a discount for certain things because do buy a lot of parts from a vendor. If that were the case for me it would have only cost 205.91. But I love to do everything myself. not bad I guess, I also couldn't afford to do that for my three cars. another reason I do them myself.

 

[sunil6784]

seems about right...

but when you buy pads, they usually come in a set of 4...2 for each side. The pads I usually get are around 40 dollars from parts stores. The ones they have on there are just a bit more expensive, nothing to worry about though.

 

[glowstang93]

The rotors had been turned before at least once, not for sure, but maybe twice. They measured them and there was not enough meat left if they would turn them down again.

Thanks for all the replies. I feel pretty good now about what it cost. Maybe someday I will try to do it myself. There are a lot of do it yourself projects that I have done on my car and around the house. I just didn't want to jeopardize the safety of myself and kids if I screwed it up.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

Labor was 129.60 for the front and 146.50 for the rear. Grand Total: 505.57

Just the fact that you went to a shop means you got overcharged. However, I won't rule out the possibility that you have the ability, but not the time to do it yourself.

To be honest, I highly doubt you needed anything done to the rear brakes. I'm also skeptical about needing rotors so soon, but I'm not familiar with how fast automatic cars eat brakes. I do sometimes replace them as a matter of course, but they only cost $25-35 each where I shop. All of my cars are/were manual and engine braking does wonders for preserving wheel brakes. I got my '89 GT 5-spd(heavier than a 2.3LX) with "who knows how many miles" brakes, put 40k on it before selling, and it had at least 30% left on the fronts and 50% on the rear. All I did was change a wheel bearing and flush the fluid.

 

[Roland69]

YOU GUYS DON'T NEED TO YELL. BUT SINCE I'M IN HERE I WOULD HAVE JUST GOT NEW DRUMS THEY ARE CHEAP AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY ARE AS CHEAP AS TURNING THE OLD ONES. SORRY FOR YELLING LOL

 

[jrichker]

I never have the drums/rotors turned unless they are badly scored. The pads/shoes bed in after a couple hundred miles or so. There may be a sight decrease in braking until the pads/shoes bed in, but it gives a tremendous increase in the longevity of the drums & rotors. Maybe I'm just cheap, but it seems to work for me.

 

[glowstang93]

Just for fun, I called the Midas shop that is 45 minutes away to check on what they would charge for the same job. $530 which is $25 more than my local shop that I trust and know the people doing the work. I just love those Midas commercials $99 per axle. Yea if nothing else needs replaced. I feel good now, only thing better I could have done was do it myself!!!

Thanks again for everyone's help.