Complete rip off. If rusted out drums, maybe $200 for labor. Disc brakes should be no more than $75-100 labor because you can do them in probably 1/2 an hour. Especially, when you have a lift. I can jack up the cars and do the rears within an hour in a cramped garage.

quote:

Originally posted by myrottiety:
That's why I always do my own. I think it was a thread Marzy did maybe 8+ years ago about a brake job. Inspired me to do my first one.

For less than $400 you can do new rotors, and pads all the way around.

Brakes aren't hard. It is dirty. They absolutely rob you on the labor.

Bingo!

The Inspection Stations are the biggest destroyer of rotors in VA. They over tighten the lug nuts which warps the rotors. So always make sure the lug nuts are not over tightened.

It is probably right about the going rate. Maybe a shade high if you shop around. Which was the question he actually asked.

And yes, you can do it cheaper yourself.

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.

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
The Inspection Stations are the biggest destroyer of rotors in VA. They over tighten the lug nuts which warps the rotors. So always make sure the lug nuts are not over tightened.

Don't get me started on that. I actually had to buy a breaker bar and a length of 18" black pipe to use as a cheater in order to loosen up my lug nuts. I was afraid I'd end up snapping one. Darn shop gorillas...

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
It is probably right about the going rate. Maybe a shade high if you shop around. Which was the question he actually asked.

And yes, you can do it cheaper yourself.

It's been over ten years since I've had a brake job quoted to me, and I just don't remember having the same reaction then as I did now. It was for the same vehicle but for all four brakes which I also did myself. But come to think of it, I don't think that included rotors that time. I certainly didn't change the rotors last time.

So considering all that, I can see that this may be a reasonable going rate. Nevertheless, brakes are always something I will do myself.

Got a LR4 2013. Dealer wanted over 700 for rear brakes, pads and rotors. Did all 4 pads at 35k miles for 185.00. Ebc 6000 green pads are not cheap. They wanted over 2k for front and back. Next time I will do front and back complete for 700.00

You would really need to price what they are putting on to see if that's a rip off or not. Pads and rotors by themselves run me close to $1000 for my car without labor, but my jeep gets the cheapest stuff I can find and I can usually do the whole thing for around $100.

I replaced front and rear rotors and pads on my Porsche Boxster in one weekend for less than $800 and saved myself a thousand.....

tac

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:
I replaced front and rear rotors and pads on my Porsche Boxster in one weekend for less than $800 and saved myself a thousand.....

tac

Now you're talking real money.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

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?

Well yeah, that's like a 15-20 minute labor rate charge when all in all it takes up 30 minutes of labor when you figure in the phone calls, paperwork, etc. They have to order the battery, deal with the core, the paperwork, drive the car in and out of the bay, take out the right tools, take out the old one, clean the cables and possibly battery tray, and install the new one, and they're heavy.

The problem is ALL of the expenses of running an auto repair business have skyrocketed in the last 10 years. Labor rates have skyrocketed.

quote:

Originally posted by rizzle:
If the $27.00 included testing it, it would be considered a fair price around here.

The AutoZones here (and most of their competition) will test and install for free. Matter of fact, last time I had mine tested, the guy surprised the heck out of me by telling me I didn't need a new battery!

A "brake job" is a vague term for what is being quoted here. plus there is something called overhead and profit.
I can change a part on a Sig for the price of the part plus shipping. That might be under $10.
Sending the gun to a shop that works on Sig's will usually cost a bit more. Same reason.

Most shops around here (mine included) are 99-125$ labor + parts. We wont use the cheap pads because we don't want complaints of noisy brakes, especially when its humid out cheap pads will squeak. We sell the pads and rotors to the customer at the parts store list price, which means we make a few bucks on the parts, since the parts stores give us a small discount. Cheap pads won't last as long as the more expensive pads either, those Auto zone 12.95$ pads might get 15-20k miles, the more expensive pads under same conditions will go 3 times as far.

An automobile or truck shop cannot open their door without incurring a sizable daily debt. They have to charge a lot to just stay in business. I know because I have worked at 4 dealerships. Most were honest, some not so much. If you can do your own work you are very lucky. Most people can't. Prices for parts have gone up over the last several years. So has the cost of labor. This is why so many cars are now "throwaways", it's called marketing.

I’m being quoted $450 for both axles on my truck for new pads, flush and resurface rotors at the dealer.

At the tire shop, it’s $1000 for new rotor, rebuilt calipers, pads and flush. Rotors only if needed.

It’s a Tundra and they are subject to warped rotors but the tire shop does a good job not over torquing the lugs so I’ve had no issues.

Parts on line range from $200-300 per axle for all but fluid. Most are rebuilt calipers as well.

At worst case scenario, the tire shop seems like a fair deal depending on what brands they use, don’t know that yet. Saves me time and messing with the oversized tires. I also like the shop and they treat me well.

Still, I’m thinking about doing it myself. Just have to sit down and the computer and price stuff out.

I need to know. Has this thread been on your mind for the past year?

Me? No. I need brakes so I searched to see what I could find rather than start a new thread. I saw April but apparently not day or year. As it wasn’t locked I figured it was recent. Decent info anyway.

If the book calls for 2.5 hours for the service and the shop has a typical rate of $120/hr then that's $300 just for labor.
Sounds about right to me.
I was a mechanic for a long time and most of the reason I changed careers is due to people always trying to take the value out of my education and experience in the field.
Pay to have it done right or put your money where your mouth is and mess it up yourself.