Hi all. I wasn't sure if this topic belonged in this forum, but it seemed like the closest fit. This morning, I noticed the back brakes began squeaking. While it may have annoyed the hell out of the cars around me, I got super worried. This is my very first car and I was just wondering what's the average cost of getting the brake pads replaced. I assuming the rotors haven't been damaged since the squeaking JUST started this morning. I appreciate any help you can lend me :)

squeaking can be cuased by almost anything. Go to a shop and have it inspected... Most shops will do a free inspection or a small charge but will refund it if you decide to do the brakes..... The inconvienniece of taking it in is worth the piece of mind...also, since part and labor prices differ throughout our geological locations, this method will also give you an idea of what parts and labor will cost close to home.

It is probably your wear indicators rubbing on your rotors. On most brake pads there is a small piece of metal that is positioned in such a way that it will drag on the rotors once your pads get to the point of needing replaced. When my front pads reached the indicators a couple of weeks ago, I had about 1/8" of material left. Your pads and rotors are extremely easy to do yourself if you are even remotely mechanically inclined. If your rotors have never been turned then there should be plenty of material left on them to get them turned. Figure on about $5 a piece to turn them. I paid $40 for my rear pads at Autozone and another $50 or so for new rotors since mine only had a few thousandths before they were at the limits. If you pay a place to do the brakes, figure on about $100 for each end if you don't need new rotors.