Cost of new front brakes, rotors... in California

[RobertF]

How much should I expect to pay for new front rotors and new brakes on my '92 X? I measured them today and they are REALLY bad. I'm going to take it to a place tomm and want to know what to expect. I'd do it myself but I don't have a flat driveway... (living on a hill sucks for car work!). Also what do you guys think about pads? I've heard good things about the fleet grade ones. I dislike the dust I get on my current bendix pads. Thanks !

 

[williecume]

i paid $50 for each rotor, $10 for each bearing, $5 for the rear seal fro the rotor, and $35-40 for the pads.

around $200 total for the front of our 97, but i did them myself at a friends house. dont be surprised if they quote about $350-400 for parts labor.

if you can find a level surface, you'll appreciate saving a few bucks if you can.

 

[jimbo74]

it is different for the 92 than it is a 97.... however, i dont se how you did bearings on the 97, arent they a non servicable part? you will also need to remove the hubs whether auto or manual and that is very expensive in terms of labor......

 

[RobertF]

How hard is it to repack the bearings on the front? That's mainly what I'm afraid of. One of my friends has a flat driveway I could use. Is there a way to know I'm getting decent rotors at Autozone or CQ? I hear horror stories of guys buying them warped and having to do the job two or three times...

 

[jimbo74]

unless you get high performance rotors, chances are they are pretty much the same.... when you torque your wheels after you put them on, be careful too much force on one lugnut can cuase the rotor to warp.....

repacking hte bearings isnt hard, but that my opinion..... do you know the procedure? you should already have a ghiltons, haynes, whatever manual before attempting to do any of your own work on a vehicle, at least be somewhat familiar with the process.....

 

[RobertF]

I have both, but sometimes what looks like an easy project in there is much harder than it seems. Just wanted to get the general idea of what you guys thought. I'm going to see how much it will cost then decide if I want to do it myself.

 

[jimbo74]

its going to be expensive, there is a lot of labor involved... and working at a shop in CA, i know you will get reamed.... not that a certain shop is better than another, but they all overcharge... a half hour job will probably cost you an hour labor cost.... it isnt a company really trying to screw you, its just business..... up here in norcal, labor is usually about $85 an hour, and to do the breaks and rotors we would probably charge an hour and a half labor.....

 

[RobertF]

Hmmm Ok, I'm taking note of that. When it's light out I'm gonna jack it up and see what there is to see and decide what I'm going to do. I can't find anything in the Chiltons guide about bearings and for the life of me my Haynes has gone missing...

 

[jimbo74]

have you ever done bearings on any vehicle? its pretty much the same...... the bearing pack might be in sections regarding hub removal/replacement or in rotor removal/replacement

 

[RobertF]

I've never done it but there is always a first . I found my Haynes and they have a step by step. It's in the first chapter... and if it's there I think I can handle it . I think I'm going to go all the way and change my calipers at the same time (they're do damn cheap not to while everything is apart. I was checking my brake fluid the other day and it was a horrible dark brown, while the new stuff is clear. If I want to change the fluid do I just start dumping new stuff in and start bleeding them in order till clear is coming out? If so I'll pick up one of those speed bleeders from Autozone and do that at the same time.

 

[RobertF]

Well I jacked up the X today and pulled the wheel off. To my surprise I found a cracked rotor and half of my inside brake pad missing . I carefully took it over to the shop I was recommended to (A husband of a co-worker's). Total bill = $200 out the door. I got one rotor replaced and the other one turned. I also got two new calipers (one side was tweaked from the missing pad) and new pads on both sides. All that installed too! As a bonus he even let me watch the whole process as he explained every method and part as he did it. If I ever half to do this again it will be a breeze to do myself! I must say I am quite happy now