And that's only for the rear brakes. Pads and rotors. Is that really the going rate?

I had brought my '96 Isuzu Rodeo in for its yearly inspection so I could renew the registration and was told the rear brakes failed. They then quoted me the above figure and said if that's good with me, I'd be out the door in no time. I told them no thanks, and I'll be by to pick up my rodeo and be back on Monday to complete the inspection.

I headed down to AutoZone and bought all the parts I needed for one hundred bucks. Since the Rodeo is not my primary vehicle and now only gets driven about 5,000 miles per year (actually last year it probably had less than 1,000 miles on it), I bought the cheapest pads and rotors they had. Took me about an hour to change both rear pads and rotors. I'll be heading back to the shop tomorrow​ to finish the inspection.

So, is that really what people are paying to have their brakes done? Christ Almighty!

The pads really were shot by the way. It was time for a change for sure. This is a shop I trust and don't mind giving business to, but $420 to do just the rear brakes? Sorry. No way.

My battery as it were was also shot but under warranty. The battery would be free, but it would be $27 to install it. 27 dollars!?!? I told them not to install it. I would do it when I arrive. So that's what I did. When I got there, I grabbed the crescent wrench out of the glove compartment, pulled the battery, and exchanged it. 10 minutes and done. If they said $10, I would've just let them handle it, but $27 to change out a battery? Ridiculous.

Anyway, sorry for the rant, but if people are really paying that much for a brake job, they're getting hosed big time.

They quoted us $800 to do the rears on the work van.

It had a defective brake caliper from the factory (GM is trash) and ruined the rotor and pads.

It was less than $200 for me to make the repair in under an hour.

I always that that labor was about twice the cost of parts +/-.

Our son has a F150 that the shop wanted about $1200 to do shocks and struts.

For about $500, we did shocks, struts, front and rear brakes and rotors.

The biggest reason I do my own mechanic work. As much as I cuss while doing it, it's still better than paying shop charges.

I am sure someone will be along to ask if they were OEM parts and quote the operating cost of a brick and mortar location. If you have the time and are handy you can save serious money. No question.

I just had the front and rear brakes done for my Acura MDX: calipers and pads, and resurfaced rotors. Les Schwab...$600'ish plus state sales tax.

That do seem excessive

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I am sure someone will be along to ask if they were OEM parts and quote the operating cost of a brick and mortar location. If you have the time and are handy you can save serious money. No question.

I have the quote in hand. I don't know what particular parts they wanted to install were, but the pads they listed were three times as much ($60) as the ones I bought, and the rotors were twice as much ($65) as the ones I bought. ETA: that's for each rotor.

Yeah, I am having sticker shock, quoted $320 just for front pads and turn the rotors at the dodge dealership. Or Les Schwab will do it for $270. I am seriously thinking of doing it myself this time....

My cousin just had the rears done on his Cherokee and they charged him $1100. Whew! But that included rotors. Dayum.

That's why I do my own when possible.
I am doing a timing belt and water pump on my sons civic. The dealer quoted my $900. Last time I changed the timing belt and water pump on a civic (my daughters), it took $200 in parts. All the rest in labor. Every time I go to a dealer they try to bEnd me over. They Even make up non existent service issues. My local dealer wanted $1100 to replace a head gasket. I examined the car and found a leaky hose. Bastages!

That's a pretty decent price around here and the reason I always wind up doing them myself.

I think prices are up because fewer people these days are capable of and are willing to do repairs themselves. Also, fewer people are choosing this kind of work for a living as well. More demand and lower supply means higher prices.

I'm the only on in my immediate family capable of fixing things. I get the call when anyone needs something, but there's an even chance it comes with a short lecture about being helpless.

I guess these guys gotta make a living too. There are plenty of people who can't or won't do the work themselves.

How many people pay $35 for a dealership to change a $8 cabin air filter? Lots.

We have motor vehicle inspections here in Louisiana yearly.
I would never take my vehicle to a mechanic shop to get a sticker. It's too easy for them to find a problem that they can fix for a price.
I go to a place that only does inspections if something is wrong they put a rejection sticker on good for 30 days and you go get it fixed and come back and get your sticker.

quote:

We have motor vehicle inspections here in Louisiana yearly.

I feel for you. The legislature eliminated the vehicle inspection here a couple of years ago.

quote:

but the pads they listed were three times as much ($60) as the ones I bought, and the rotors were twice as much ($65)

No comment on the overall price issue. But I am good friends with a local mechanic and what he says to me is that if he buys the lowest cost pads and rotors the customer is always back with issues. So he won't do it. That's not to say you shouldn't, but I do understand why a shop might not.

Good for you!

I'm lucky. I have a regular mechanic, pretty reasonable. He once worked at a dealership, but uses the garage attached to his home. I don't give his name to too many people because he has all he can handle and it takes me several days to get an appointment.

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm:
I guess these guys gotta make a living too. There are plenty of people who can't or won't do the work themselves.

How many people pay $35 for a dealership to change a $8 cabin air filter? Lots.

You know, I live in a pretty affluent area. I'm sure 95% of the people around here just say, "heck yeah, do it."

And yeah, I know they need to make a living and all, but $27 to swap out a battery?

If the $27.00 included testing it, it would be considered a fair price around here.

Buy the parts and take it to a mechanic that will install it for you. For my vehicle $50 pads front, $50 pads rear, Front Rotors each $120, Rear Rotors each $75. (2) hours labor at approx. $125 / hour. Total without tax $740. If I were to get it done at the stealership they have quoted me over $1000 and they will only resurface the rotors, whereas I am getting new ones. God Bless