cost for brake change?

[geekdrew]

I have a 99 Explorer (XLS 2WD), and while I thought that I would be into modding it and working on it when I bought it... I'm not. I've never really done anything to it.

I knew that it was going to need new brakes soon, so I dropped it off at Tuffy's today. A little while ago they called with an estimate. The grand total was going to be about $800.

They said that basically *everything* was bad. The rotors (?) were too thin to resurface, so they had to be replaced too. Furthermore, he asked if I had ever left the emergency brake on while driving. Can't remember what it was... but he said that something led him to believe that it had been engaged while driving at some point. He said that if they didn't have to replace something related to the e-brake, it would be $100 less - making it $700. I can't remember what that part was though. He said that they hadn't torn it apart to check that.

So I'm talking to a friend online, and he said that he had the brakes on his explorer replaced, and it only cost him $300. Am I being ripped off $500, or is something very different here? As I have NO clue about anything automotive, this entire post likely doesn't make any sense. Can anyone think of a reason why it would cost so much to have the brakes changed?

I apologize for posting this - I feel foolish for not knowing anything about the Explorer.

 

[Hartman]

Sorry to say it but you are being majorly ripped off. Brakes on Explorers are VERY easy, and can be done yourself for under $200 in parts.

They are charging you $800 for about 2-3 hours of work unless they work in slow motion.

 

[Billy177]

i could replace all 4 rotors and the pads in an hour tey are ripping you off.

 

[geekdrew]

In that case, I'll call first thing in the morning and tell them not to do it (unless they've already ordered the parts, in which case I'm screwed).

 

[Afboy143]

i changed all my breaks for 120$ did it myself. I didnt have to do rotors jus pads

 

[karl_burns]

If you need to replace the rotors...

.... the cost will go up, but I can't imagine needing to replace all four rotors. That's the only way to elevate the cost all the way up to $800.
Buy a Haynes manual so you have something in print, search on this site for some more pointers and how to diagnose what needs to be replaced, and DIY this weekend. The emergency brake cable (if I remember correctly) is actually attached to the drivers side rear brake assembly. Maybe those pads/rotors wore completely or much more than the others. I've done that before, but never had to do anything but replace pads immediately.... and rotors later on.
Seriously, this job is one of the easiest out there. If you need any help, just ask. And don't go back to that place.

Now that we've saved you $500, what mod are you going to do next?

Karl

 

[Metallic2001]

I seriously doubt you would need all new rotors and everything...I do mine myself but I seen Firestone having a ad doing brakes for like $80 for front and same for back or something like that...I would def. check around though...Good luck

Legally, I dont think they can do anything to your car until u signed for it

 

[Billy177]

just replace em yourself with the powerslot rotors and carbon metalic pads from explorerexpress

 

[old mechanic]

Well if everything had to be replaced plus the E-Work, then that is a decent price. Remember, business charge LIST for parts not discount. If they charged discount they would be out of business in no time.
Autozone prices for my 92 X. Including tax.
4 Brake calipers. $27.00 ea.= $108.00
4 Rotors. $49.00 ea.= $196.00
2 sets of Brake pads $33.00ea.= $66.00
brake lube- $3.00
Total= $373.00

This is what it would cost you for parts only. And these are very good prices.

$700.00 - $373.00=$327.00 for labor. Thats if he uses the low Auto Zone prices. Pep boys is much higher. These 2 places are much cheaper than I could get parts from my supplier when I was in business.
$327.00 seems high for labor but seems low when your in business.
Remember this! Before Pep Boys came around my area, a complete brake job like that would have been around $1200.00 OR higher from Sears or a local muffler & brake shop. I know. I have seen the estimates brought to me by my customers. The suppliers to shops were NOT giving discounts to us like Pep Boys or auto Zone.
Factor in that maybe these guys use a different supplier or better parts and they are not too far off.
Expect to pay that much or try and learn to do the work yourself.
If you got a price from a dealer you would probably have been in the hospital with after shock.

BTW: Those ads you see are usually for PADs only and "maybe" turning down the rotors..

 

[twomedicine]

I agree with old mechanic. $800 could very well be a fair price using good parts and experienced labor. Both good work and bad work cost $ and brakes are something you want done right the 1st time.

I think too, if you left your E bake on those shoes have to be replaced also, and they are not nearly as easy getting to or replacing as the pads. So essentially, you have 4 sets of pads and 2 sets of shoes + all the other stuff.

I have not priced the rear drum/rotors but I'd imagine those are higher priced than just rotors.

If you have not done brakes before and don't have someone to coach you, it might just be a bad idea if you haven't done much mechanic work. Also, those rear drums might be difficult to separate without a puller. I know mine sure were.

And you can check with other shops, ones also with a good rep, and quoting for the same job

 

[Billy177]

the ebrake on the 99's 4 wheel discs uses a competly different ebrake sutup it is kinda a mini drum built into the rear rotor

i would just get a shops second opnion and go from there

 

[agallant]

I did breaks on my 2K.

Front rotors $29.99 each
Front Pads $34.99
Rear Pads $29.99
took me about 40min.

 

[old mechanic]

Originally posted by agallant
I did breaks on my 2K.

Front rotors $29.99 each
Front Pads $34.99
Rear Pads $29.99
took me about 40min.

It took us 40 minutes just to write the order up, take the car in put it up on the hoist get the tools out and to put the car down, drive it out and bring the keys in and finish the work sheet. Thats with out doing the work. And another 40 minutes in the beginning to check out what the car needs and give them a estimate. Then they come back later to have the work done. Well, most of the times anyway.

 

[agallant]

I am sure that it did. But being my car and knowing something about cars, I knew what was wrong with it. If you guys took the customer word for what was wrong you would end up replacing stuf that was fine. I understand why it takes longer for a service center to do the work and i don't have a problem with it after all you have to pay for the building, lights, help, ect. I am just saying that $800 for breaks on an exp is step. I didn't even spend that much to have them done on my BMW 7.

 

[TS2081]

I did the front brakes on my '97 Mountie last weekend. Took me about an hour per side (including some beers). I replaced my rotors ($40/per for the Bendix), pads (also about $40), and anchor brackets/pins ($60/each from the dealer). One of the pins on each anchor bracket was frozen up due to a lack of grease. It is VERY critical that the pins be removed, cleaned, and regreased while replacing the pads. If I were you, I would do this work myself, if only to be sure that the pins were properly cleaned and lubed. Also, I did the rears on my last Mountie, and the rotors and pads and park brake shoes were under $150 bucks. Lastly, I would say that I have a very difficult time believing that all four brakes went "bad" at the same time. The rear caliper is so simple that there is virtually no way for it to go bad, and there aren't any individual components in the rear drum parking brake that should cost $100.

Good Luck,
Tim

 

[RMB]

Couldn't help join in with this... Just replaced all pads and discs (rotors in the US I think). My closest friend owns a garage so all these prices are trade so no mark up - I paid no labor charges - so this purely the cost of parts in the UK...

Firstly Ford UK supplied pads at £98.00 GBP per pair plus tax at 17.5%... That's about $200 per corner! Now these pads were coded as Genuine Ford Explorer pads but they weren't as wide as the Original US pads we took off, only covering about two thirds of the rotor. When we questioned Ford they said those were the pads that they fitted to all UK X's - watch out any UK readers. We refused the pads and asked for the US versions... these would apparently take 2 weeks to deliver from the states and cost us £110.00 plus tax and shipping. We declined.

Eventually we tracked down some Apec pads that were the right size, not perfect mind as the claw spring was in the wrong place... boosted the old springs from the old pads and spot-welded them onto the Apecs... the price £46.27 the front and £53.89 the back both plus Tax. A little better.

The Ford quote for the rotors was £200 plus per wheel - so Ford was out and we ended up with tidy Brembos at £227.80 front pair and £226.56 back pair - tax on top again.

I looked into the Explorer Express grooved rotors and pads but by the time I'd added shipping (not their fault) I'd be knocking on $1400.

So the cheapest options at trade only prices inc the tax - weighed in at £651.56... that's approx $1173 - not bad eh? Makes that $800 bucks look like a bargain. So that's why we call it 'Rip-Off Britain'!

 

[Metallic2001]

I would cut a hole in the floor and use my feet to stop before i paid that

 

[BradE.]

Remember, this guys X is a 2wd model, so it's not as easy as a rotor change on a 4x4. There are a few extra steps. While they are out, repack the wheel bearings (you need to remove them anyway on a 2wd model)

Given that, I would attempt this job yourself. You can save an assload of money on brake work if you know what your doing. Plus, you get to pick your own parts, instead of whatever crap the shop feels like throwing on.