Brakes And Tie Rods

[JJBENNETT358]

Just Took My 93 4x4 Xlt To A Mechanic For A Noise In Front End.
He Just Got Back With Me And Said All Brakes Are Bad, Calipers, Rotors, Pads, & Drums. Also Said Wheel Bearings Were Real Loose, And I Need Inner Tie Rods.

He Quoted Me $1,400 To Do Everything. Including Alignment.

$390 Just For Tie Rods.

Am I Getting Screwed, And What Do You Think I Should Have Done First If I Can't Afford Everything At Once.

Temp. Living In Arizona Without A Garage!!!

Any Advice Would Be Appreciated --- Thanks

 

[splodo49]

Yes you are getting screwed. If i was you i would do some research on the site. And do the work your self. (if your mechanically inclined and comfortable with it.) Or at least the easy stuff. Get another quote!!
Thier is 2 types of mechs out their the ones that fix your prob and keep you comming back and the ones that fix your prob and tell you everything is wrong and run a high bill and you never come back. Believe me my dad has had his own business for 30 years now and he still has most of the same customers since he opened. I mean hes not gonna let something unsafe just go by. But he doesnt bullshit you around and lie to get more money..

 

[IZwack]

one thing that does catch my attention is the the mention of 'inner tie rods' - i dont believe your 93 explorer has 'inner tie rods' as it has a TTB (twin traction beam) setup for the front axle. 'inner tie rods' are used in 95 and up explorers as they used a rack and pinion setup to turn the front wheels. ur vehicle does have 'tie rods' but they aren't considered as 'inner' (well maybe one at the pitman arm since that is 'inside' the frame rails)

if you have some time and dont mind getting just a tad dirty from gripping the tires, you can check whether or not your wheel bearings are 'loose' right at home - basically you jack the axle in question up in the air, support it with a jackstand, grip the wheel on both sides, and try to move the wheel up and down. if there's any 'play', then the bearings are 'loose'.

as for the rotors and pads, well those are parts that just wear down with time and you can also inspect whether or not they need replacement right at home. if they need to be replaced, maybe you can do them yourself as they are very simple to replace (assuming the rotors havent frozen themselves onto the hub).

the calipers i'm a little iffy about because calipers usually outlast the life of the vehicle under normal conditions (excessive breaking usually kills the calipers due to premature seal hardening from the higher temperatures).

 

[DeRocha]

Yes you're getting screwed.. go to AutoZone or other parts web site and look at what your parts cost... An Alignment (stock vehicle) runs under $75 at most shops... IMO It seams like the shop is replacing all components (whether they need it or not).. What exactly did you bring your X into the shop for (be as specific as possible as we may be able to point you in the correct direction).

 

[410Fortune]

$1400 might be a little bit high but you are gonna find its about accurate for this amount of parts and work.

yes you can save a TON by doing the work yourself.

If I was to do full front and rear brakes, front wheel bearings, steering and alignment it would take me a good 6-8 hours at home by myself with hand tools.

IN Denver the shop rate is $65-80 an hour, thats approx $600 right there.
Plus fluids (in this case grease and brake fluid), disposal fee, and misc shop parts.
$1400 breaks down just about right, BUT you can expect that to GO UP. Things like "You need new drums, these cant be turned anymore", "Your ball joints are shot", are commonplace when you dig into a project like this.


Also lifetime warranty = lifetime warranty on PARTS, not labor. Parts are cheap.

Careful who you have do the work, before I drop $1500 on anything I shop around ALOT.

I of course agree with these guys, do it yourself. its better to spend some $$ on basic tools now and a repair manual, learn how to do it once and you can do it forever. But not everyone has the means, so if you do pay for the work, shop around, find an honest shop you trust, that is most important because when somebody else is doing the work, you have to take their word for it.

 

[JJBENNETT358]

Yes you're getting screwed.. go to AutoZone or other parts web site and look at what your parts cost... An Alignment (stock vehicle) runs under $75 at most shops... IMO It seams like the shop is replacing all components (whether they need it or not).. What exactly did you bring your X into the shop for (be as specific as possible as we may be able to point you in the correct direction).

I MOVED TO ARIZONA ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO FOR A YEAR OF SCHOOL, SO I'M WITHOUT MY GARAGE AND TOOLS.. I TUNED UP MY X AND MY PADS WERE AT 40-50%, AND I DID HAVE SOME PLAY IN MY WHEEL BEARINGS. SO I KNOW I NEED THOSE REPACKED, BUT I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE OF 1. FRONT BRAKES WERE GRABBIN A LITTLE, PULLED TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY, AND MAINLY THERE WAS A SQUEAKY NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END THAT I COULD NOT IDENTIFY. THINKING IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RA BUSHINGS, PIVOT BRACKET??? MECHANIC METIONED NOTHING ABOUT THAT. I AM GETTING READY TO GO AND INSPECT IT MY SELF WHILE IT IS STILL UP ON BLOCKS. IF ANYONE CAN REPLY WITHIN AN HOUR OR 2, THAT WOULD REALLY HELP ME OUT ON WHAT EXACTLY TO LOOK FOR.

THANKS!!

 

[splodo49]

Well you could spray all your bushings with a lubricant and see if the squeak goes away. If you have a loose or worn radius arm bushing. When you push on the brakes you truck will pull in that direction of which ever side the worn bushing is on. . Sometimes you can feel it in your feet when your driving. And for all your other stuff. I would just check for "play". And go accordingly. If you havent changed your wheel bearings in a while might as well do it now anyways and save the hassle and time of doing it a couple months from now. As for brakes if they are still good then just leave em alone. Unless you have the extra cash to get some new ones cuz your tires are gonna be off anyways.