Getting front brakes replaced

[goodcase]

I was in the dealership yesterday getting my 48K service done. They informed me that I have 3mm left on my front pads and they'll need replacement along with new front rotors. It was about $500 to get them replaced. That seemed a little expensive to me, is $500 a reasonable price? Before anybody says that 48xxx is low to be getting the brakes done, I have about 57xxxkm's on my car.

[Jackal]

I think changing the brake pads seems about right but getting new front rotors is a bit early. I am at about the same km and I will need to change the pads soon but not the rotors. If you have to get front rotors, you should consider aftermarket ones like DBAs.

[The Wolf]

$500 sounds reasonable.. it's been a while since I've paid for a brake job though.

The best bang for your buck is to get good pads and cheap rotors. Blanks perform better than slotted/drilled

[tmpz]

I was in the dealership yesterday getting my 48K service done. They informed me that I have 3mm left on my front pads and they'll need replacement along with new front rotors. It was about $500 to get them replaced. That seemed a little expensive to me, is $500 a reasonable price? Before anybody says that 48xxx is low to be getting the brakes done, I have about 57xxxkm's on my car.

I'm going to get all 4 done and change the brake fluid this week at Jimmy's:
$220 Mazda OEM Rotors
$160 Hawk HPS Brake Pads
$220 Labor
Total after everything $600

$500 for just the front is too expensive.

[goodcase]

I think changing the brake pads seems about right but getting new front rotors is a bit early. I am at about the same km and I will need to change the pads soon but not the rotors. If you have to get front rotors, you should consider aftermarket ones like DBAs.

I have a considerable amount of steering wheel shake when braking so one of them needs to be replaced. I'm not sure why both need to be though.

[tmpz]

I have a considerable amount of steering wheel shake when braking so one of them needs to be replaced. I'm not sure why both need to be though.

Warped rotors would cause it to shake. I have the same issue. You should get both rotor and pads replaced. If you just replace the pad, the warped rotor will wear out the new pad and you'll have the same issue again. And you should replace them in pairs for the same reason (front and/or rear).

[goodcase]

Warped rotors would cause it to shake. I have the same issue. You should get both rotor and pads replaced. If you just replace the pad, the warped rotor will wear out the new pad and you'll have the same issue again. And you should replace them in pairs for the same reason (front and/or rear).

I understood that both pad and rotor needed to be replaced. I just wasn't sure why both front rotors need to be replaced.

[goodcase]

I'm going to get all 4 done and change the brake fluid this week at Jimmy's:
$220 Mazda OEM Rotors
$160 Hawk HPS Brake Pads
$220 Labor
Total after everything $600

$500 for just the front is too expensive.

I'll probably end up going elsewhere once the warranty is up. But until then I guess I'm just stuck paying ludicrous dealer labor rates.

[aris]

I have a considerable amount of steering wheel shake when braking so one of them needs to be replaced. I'm not sure why both need to be though.


You don't replace just one side... You replace both sides when doing brakes...

[tmpz]

I'll probably end up going elsewhere once the warranty is up. But until then I guess I'm just stuck paying ludicrous dealer labor rates.

Get the parts, go to one of our sponsors and save money. You don't need to go to the dealer, just keep all the receipts and records for warranty.

If you only change one rotor/brake pad, then the other side isn't "even". You end up wearing out the new rotor/brake because the old side can't brake as well.

[Hyperion]

You'd be surprised how easy it is to do a brake job on your own.

[goodcase]

You'd be surprised how easy it is to do a brake job on your own.

Ya, this was also a thought of mine, and then it also occurred to me that it would be cheaper to buy the necessary tools. Hmmmm ;)

[Hyperion]

Ya, this was also a thought of mine, and then it also occurred to me that it would be cheaper to buy the necessary tools. Hmmmm ;)

If you weren't in Burlington, and I had more time, I'd say come over, I have to tools, but I'm pretty swamped.

[Ps3alltheway]

I'm surprised how fast you went thru those front brakes !
Im at 115 000 km and my front pads are still very thick !

[aris]

I'm surprised how fast you went thru those front brakes !
Im at 115 000 km and my front pads are still very thick !


Everyone has different driving habits

[Booter22]

exactly like aris said, ive got 65k on my car and brakes are at 8. gf does more city and is at 50 k. and 7 front and rear.

[goodcase]

If you weren't in Burlington, and I had more time, I'd say come over, I have to tools, but I'm pretty swamped.

haha, that would have been helpful, thanks for the offer though!


I'm surprised how fast you went thru those front brakes !
Im at 115 000 km and my front pads are still very thick !

I do a lot of city driving, but seeing as they lasted almost two years I'm pretty happy with how they performed.

[goodcase]

Is it a bad idea if I were to put Hawk pads in the front but leave the rears oem?

[sudz]

I think if your car has that Electronic Brake force distribution you won't notice a difference. Generally its 60% breaking up front, 40% at rear. (with most cars)

There's a special on, look for the thread that says "FREE HAWK HPS Pads" and my dissapointed reply, lol.

[goodcase]

All the parts and tools have been bought, I'll be attacking this tomorrow!

[Jackal]

All the parts and tools have been bought, I'll be attacking this tomorrow!

You are brave. Have you done this before? Getting help from anyone who's done it before or are you relying on YouTube?

[vip3r87]

You are brave. Have you done this before? Getting help from anyone who's done it before or are you relying on YouTube?

Serious? Brake jobs are probably the most simple maintenance one can do on his car.

Google and YouTube definitely help but its so straightforward

[goodcase]

You are brave. Have you done this before? Getting help from anyone who's done it before or are you relying on YouTube?

I've never done this before but I'm mechanical minded person and in grade nine I had auto shop for a few months so I'm pretty comfortable with tools. I've also looked at several different "how to's" and you tube videos. Booter22 also sent me a fairly detailed description of what to do.

[Flagrum_3]

I was in the dealership yesterday getting my 48K service done. They informed me that I have 3mm left on my front pads and they'll need replacement along with new front rotors. It was about $500 to get them replaced. That seemed a little expensive to me, is $500 a reasonable price? Before anybody says that 48xxx is low to be getting the brakes done, I have about 57xxxkm's on my car.

If that price is just for the front brakes only, that is simply a total RIPOFF. You can get all four corners done with coated rotors and ceramic pads for just over $400 at JR Auto, who happens to be a Sponsor here. Also, you don't have to use the dealer for brakes, even if still under warranty.

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[TheMAN]

$500 is average price with quality parts
you have to consider that a brake job is 2 hours labour time, plus the cost of the parts... they're not ripping you off really

if you want OEM quality aftermarket parts, get akebono brake pads with brembo blank rotors... they will feel and work just like factory... low dust, low noise :)
akebono is an OEM supplier to all Japanese auto makers

[Flagrum_3]

$500 is average price with quality parts
you have to consider that a brake job is 2 hours labour time, plus the cost of the parts... they're not ripping you off really

if you want OEM quality aftermarket parts, get akebono brake pads with brembo blank rotors... they will feel and work just like factory... low dust, low noise :)
akebono is an OEM supplier to all Japanese auto makers

OEM rotors and pads for front only comes to less then $200 from what I recall. That means they are charging $300 labour! If it takes anyone 2 hours to do front brakes they should be fired. Therefore $500 is a total RIP, if he was quoted front brakes ONLY!

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[peterm15]

2hrs would be the the amount of time the book tells them it takes. But I do agree. 500 is quite steep for front brakes

[goodcase]

The pads and rotors came to $317 tax in.

I just finished changing them. I started at 12:15 and finished around 3:00. 2 hours and 45 minutes Isn't bad considering I've never done them before haha.

[peterm15]

The pads and rotors came to $317 tax in.

I just finished changing them. I started at 12:15 and finished around 3:00. 2 hours and 45 minutes Isn't bad considering I've never done them before haha.

I assume you went straight up OEM. That's what I'm debating doing as well.

Do brakes a few more times and it will be a lot quicker. It takes me longer to jack up the car safely and take off the tires then it does to change te brakes. Lol. Last time I did it in a jeep was finished both sides in 30 min. ( not including beer breaks and tire removal. )

[Flagrum_3]

2hrs would be the the amount of time the book tells them it takes. But I do agree. 500 is quite steep for front brakes

I'd like to see the book on this, 2 hrs seems excessive time for a job a good mechanic can do in an hour or less. Furthermore how does 2 hours equate to $300 lol....these guys charging $150 an hour now? Yes $500 for front brakes is quite steep.

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[Flagrum_3]

The pads and rotors came to $317 tax in.

I just finished changing them. I started at 12:15 and finished around 3:00. 2 hours and 45 minutes Isn't bad considering I've never done them before haha.

Was that price for fronts only? It seems excessive. Unless of course prices have gone up drastically for the new models. Did you use a sponsor dealer btw?

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[tmpz]

I'd like to see the book on this, 2 hrs seems excessive time for a job a good mechanic can do in an hour or less. Furthermore how does 2 hours equate to $300 lol....these guys charging $150 an hour now? Yes $500 for front brakes is quite steep.

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It sounds about right. Dealer labour rate is about $110/hour.
OEM front rotor and brake pad ~$220 (not including TM3 discount)
2 Hours Labour $220

It's steep because of the dealership labour. Most shops are ~$80/hour.

[TheMAN]

OEM rotors and pads for front only comes to less then $200 from what I recall. That means they are charging $300 labour! If it takes anyone 2 hours to do front brakes they should be fired. Therefore $500 is a total RIP, if he was quoted front brakes ONLY!

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rotors cost around $100 each, pads a little more
you must be recalling old prices... the exchange rate has gone to hell in the past couple of years
I'm telling you, $500 is an average price... I didn't say it was a great deal, but the dealer isn't ripping anyone off

standard labour time for brakes is 2 hours, that translates to around $200 labour... you think the dealer pulls it out of their ass? go look at the chiltons labour guide

[Flagrum_3]

rotors cost around $100 each, pads a little more
you must be recalling old prices... the exchange rate has gone to hell in the past couple of years
I'm telling you, $500 is an average price... I didn't say it was a great deal, but the dealer isn't ripping anyone offstandard labour time for brakes is 2 hours, that translates to around $200 labour... you think the dealer pulls it out of their ass? go look at the chiltons labour guide

Well I tend to disagree. For one your prices seem way above what I've seen on the parts, plus at those prices you quoted, the dealer is marking up pretty good...so profit right there. Then you have the dealer using the Chilton's labour guide, which is a complete rip-off guide in itself. It hasn't been revised 'properly' in decades to reflect changes in technology, ease in replacement etc;. They charge for disc brake replacement, 'timewise', what it took in the past to do drum brakes, which were much more labour intensive....get my point. So 2 hours is extremely excessive as far as I'm concerned. Then to charge $100 plus an hour labour rate? That is simply rediculous...Don't dare tell me or anyone else dealers are not a ripoff bro. I've been around the business too long and know better. You can tell your story to someone else who doesn't .

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[Booter22]

well then sadly flagrum.. you must not purchase anything at all because everything we all buy has a mark up in it. everyone is to make profit on everything sold or why would they be in business. dealers are not a rip off, but thats like saying a small shop is a rip off at say $80 an hour. or $60 an hour. i mean when does it end to say its not a rip off. pay dead cost or have it done for free? its all relative to what you have brakes for a mazda 3 will cost around $500, im sure brakes for a bmw cost around $700. and so on in relation to the vehicle. or you could have an rx8 and buy oem brake parts around the $750 range or get no name 2nd line stuff for $550..but whats going to last you longer? pay more for the better stuff up front and save later or save money now and pay more later.. and yes i know you can buy "better" quality then oem hawk pads and oem blanks. but better to who? the daily driver going to and from work.. what are hawk pads going to do for them? or the few who take it to the track and can use and enjoy some of the " better " aftermarket stuff. but hey we dont need to convince you that 2 hours is based on the work completed but for me i think its easier to slide hammer off some drum brakes and replace and service the shoes then it is to take apart the calipers and repalce the pads and rotors.

but what would you feel is fair for brake replacements? 1 hour? 1.5? how long does it take you to do? and i dont mean pad slap, i mean rotors pads service calipers, pins guide channels. hubs and then to put it all back together. but yes $100 an hour to have a properly trained tech work on your car vs the canadian tire and mr.lubes of the world where they pick it up as they go or shown by someone else.


anyway.. my :.02

[TheMAN]

everyone except mickey mouse shops follow the chilton's labour guide, which is considered industry standard
the times are set so that people can fairly make a living... just because you can do it in 30-45 minutes, doesn't mean you should only charge that much... if it was all done that way, nobody will be taking home enough pay to take care of the rent and utilities, and food! No times are the same from car to car for the same particular job, they are all different because of differences in difficulty from car to car, simple as that

the parts prices I used are based on MSRP, it does not account for any additional mark up

if you don't like the prices then stfu and do it yourself! that's what I do!

[peterm15]

if you don't like the prices then stfu and do it yourself! that's what I do!

that's why I do all my own work as well.

[McGuyver_3]

well then sadly flagrum.. you must not purchase anything at all because everything we all buy has a mark up in it. everyone is to make profit on everything sold or why would they be in business. dealers are not a rip off, but thats like saying a small shop is a rip off at say $80 an hour. or $60 an hour. i mean when does it end to say its not a rip off. pay dead cost or have it done for free? its all relative to what you have brakes for a mazda 3 will cost around $500, im sure brakes for a bmw cost around $700. and so on in relation to the vehicle. or you could have an rx8 and buy oem brake parts around the $750 range or get no name 2nd line stuff for $550..but whats going to last you longer? pay more for the better stuff up front and save later or save money now and pay more later.. and yes i know you can buy "better" quality then oem hawk pads and oem blanks. but better to who? the daily driver going to and from work.. what are hawk pads going to do for them? or the few who take it to the track and can use and enjoy some of the " better " aftermarket stuff. but hey we dont need to convince you that 2 hours is based on the work completed but for me i think its easier to slide hammer off some drum brakes and replace and service the shoes then it is to take apart the calipers and repalce the pads and rotors.

but what would you feel is fair for brake replacements? 1 hour? 1.5? how long does it take you to do? and i dont mean pad slap, i mean rotors pads service calipers, pins guide channels. hubs and then to put it all back together. but yes $100 an hour to have a properly trained tech work on your car vs the canadian tire and mr.lubes of the world where they pick it up as they go or shown by someone else.


anyway.. my :.02

Just an FYI
In your regards to BMW's believe it or not, they have package pricing (which includes labour) on brakes which turns out to be cheaper then buying the parts over the counter. Prices vary depending on the models. The only ones that I am aware of that do NOT have package pricing would be the M models. And I have to say considering they are BMW's the prices are not all bad.

[Default User]

I don't see what's wrong with people (even dealerships) trying to make a dollar.

My definition of a ripoff, is when two companies sell the EXACT same product at two DIFFERENT prices.

You can't compare "OEM product" pricing to "Made in China aftermarket parts" pricing. Yes, they may do the same thing, but the quality and consistency is different.

[Booter22]

I don't see what's wrong with people (even dealerships) trying to make a dollar.

My definition of a ripoff, is when two companies sell the EXACT same product at two DIFFERENT prices.

You can't compare "OEM product" pricing to "Made in China aftermarket parts" pricing. Yes, they may do the same thing, but the quality and consistency is different.

agree.. well this and the price of fuel.. but thats another story all together.. how many different kinds of tax are there on fuel? is it 3 or 4? i know esso has a sign but still.. anyway..everyone is out to make money, big guy or little guy. otherwise if they dont. whats the point to open the doors.

[Flagrum_3]

agree.. well this and the price of fuel.. but thats another story all together.. how many different kinds of tax are there on fuel? is it 3 or 4? i know esso has a sign but still.. anyway..everyone is out to make money, big guy or little guy. otherwise if they dont. whats the point to open the doors.

Thats right, Fuel is a completely different story! I could write pages on the rediculousness of the price we here in Canada are forced to pay for fuel, but thats a different thread for a different time...There is nothing wrong in making a profit, lest no one would ever go into business. But excessive high pricing is the issue here...How much profit is reasonable? I've been part in several businesses, so I don't need a lecture by anyone about meeting demands or wreaking a living etc;...This discussion is simply about the $500 quote to do Mazda3 front brakes only. You want to go pay that? fine with me. I'm just stating it's excessive, which is simply the truth. You can put any swing on it you want, and that fact will never change. Most all dealers have always charged excessively, since I can remember. The assumption that independent shops will or cannot supply the same or better quality of work is simply NAIVE. Shop around as in anything you would buy, research has in anything you will buy, then make an informed decision. Thats all I'm saying, and yes, I rarely pay retail for anything. Is there anything wrong in that?

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[Booter22]

nothing wrong with getting a deal, i would like to not pay full price ever, but $500 for brakes is hardly excessive i think when you look at the cost of parts and labor and the time it takes to do the work. but if you come and tell me its $750 for brakes on a mazda 3 yes now that would be excessive, but for as long as i can remember on my old car and all my the family cars. front brake jobs have been between $400 on my focus and up to $600 on the taurus and camry, and im wicked happy that none of the cars now have a timing belt because thats a fun $1000 -$1500 part replacement every 4 years / 100 ,000 km. anyway. get what your saying, i would replace the parts myself if i found they costs were excessive if i found myself able to do so anyway. so i know what you mean.

[Default User]

nothing wrong with never paying retail LOL

I guess its simply there for those that don't want to do the research.
Dealerships are there for those that want the guarantee - no guessing, no research, no hassles.
for some - its worth the extra.

I've been burned a few times with cheapo-depot parts. Often enough - either you end up paying again to correct it. or paying twice as fast for a replacement.

Let's look at our own board sponsors. Charging almost $20 for plasti-dip when it's $6/can over in Buffalo But nobody says "RipOff" there

[Flagrum_3]

nothing wrong with never paying retail LOL

I guess its simply there for those that don't want to do the research.
Dealerships are there for those that want the guarantee - no guessing, no research, no hassles.
for some - its worth the extra.

I've been burned a few times with cheapo-depot parts. Often enough - either you end up paying again to correct it. or paying twice as fast for a replacement.

Let's look at our own board sponsors. Charging almost $20 for plasti-dip when it's $6/can over in Buffalo But nobody says "RipOff" there

You couldn't find a better analogy? That is not a good comparison whatsoever, as we ALL know prices are much lower in the States and alot has to do with supply and demand. The States has 10 times our market-size, hense the better pricing, not to even mention taxes! So one cannot expect local sellers to compete in price.

Also, it is in my opinion that; if one is too lazy to do even the slightest bit of research, then they deserve to get ripped-off. Especially with the amounts we are talking here in automotive repair.

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[Default User]

Wanna compare Canadian Tire and a Mazda Dealership then? LOL

[Flagrum_3]

Wanna compare Canadian Tire and a Mazda Dealership then? LOL

Theres alot of places other then Crappy tire to get parts, and in actuality, I didn't find the OEM brakes components that great (i.e; that great in quality) to begin with.

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