Author Topic: DIY brake work  (Read 1902 times)

Car Jack

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DIY brake work
« on: April 20, 2018, 07:51:59 PM »
My son noticed scraping noises in our Outback so I took a look and sure enough, one of the brake pads was down to metal.  I've got plenty of old pads around (I throw away nothing) so threw in an acceptable pad.  Meanwhile, he uses the car for college and other stuff.  So I look around for rotors because at least one is trashed.  Subaru $68 a piece, Auto Zone $58, turning the existing rotors $21 each.  For fun, I check Rock Auto....$12.  Yay.  I order a set for this one and another for my wife's Crosstrek which is also due.

So tonight I pull the pads and head to Auto Zone.  I bought the last set there so they have a lifetime wearout warranty.  Yay, free pads.  So back home, new rotors on, new pads for a total of $34.

CatamaranSailor

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Re: DIY brake work
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2018, 07:00:49 AM »
I've always done my own brakes ever since I was 16 wrenching on my '66 Mustang. I'm appalled at what people tell me they spend on brake jobs!

(I will say I've noticed a huge range in the quality of the parts. I've bought the cheapest pads/rotors and I've spent the extra $$$ and gotten the brand name stuff and there is a huge difference. I've never felt like the car wasn't going to stop on the cheap pads....I just find myself doing another brake job much quicker).

I wish more people would follow your lead! Brake jobs are one of the highest profit and biggest areas of scams as far as car repair. On most modern cars, you can change pads and rotors in about 30 minutes ! (Unlike that silly Mustang with its drum brakes and what felt like 10,000 little parts!)

Good job!

Papa bear

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Re: DIY brake work
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2018, 07:59:48 AM »
My son noticed scraping noises in our Outback so I took a look and sure enough, one of the brake pads was down to metal.  I've got plenty of old pads around (I throw away nothing) so threw in an acceptable pad.  Meanwhile, he uses the car for college and other stuff.  So I look around for rotors because at least one is trashed.  Subaru $68 a piece, Auto Zone $58, turning the existing rotors $21 each.  For fun, I check Rock Auto....$12.  Yay.  I order a set for this one and another for my wife's Crosstrek which is also due.

So tonight I pull the pads and head to Auto Zone.  I bought the last set there so they have a lifetime wearout warranty.  Yay, free pads.  So back home, new rotors on, new pads for a total of $34.

Last time I went to autozone for pads they wouldn't give the warranty for normal wear. Glad it worked out for you.


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tyler2016

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Re: DIY brake work
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2018, 08:04:38 AM »
I usually find better prices for parts on Rockauto and Amazon than Autozone.

HipGnosis

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Re: DIY brake work
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2018, 11:22:43 AM »
My son noticed scraping noises in our Outback so I took a look and sure enough, one of the brake pads was down to metal.  I've got plenty of old pads around (I throw away nothing) so threw in an acceptable pad.  Meanwhile, he uses the car for college and other stuff.  So I look around for rotors because at least one is trashed.  Subaru $68 a piece, Auto Zone $58, turning the existing rotors $21 each.  For fun, I check Rock Auto....$12.  Yay.  I order a set for this one and another for my wife's Crosstrek which is also due.

So tonight I pull the pads and head to Auto Zone.  I bought the last set there so they have a lifetime wearout warranty.  Yay, free pads.  So back home, new rotors on, new pads for a total of $34.

How'd it cost $34 w/ $12 rotors and free pads?

PrairieBeardstache

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Re: DIY brake work
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2018, 08:16:05 AM »
I wish more people would follow your lead! Brake jobs are one of the highest profit and biggest areas of scams as far as car repair. On most modern cars, you can change pads and rotors in about 30 minutes ! (Unlike that silly Mustang with its drum brakes and what felt like 10,000 little parts!)

I have a very anti-mustachian car. If I were to bring it to the dealer just for pads and rotors they would charge me $5k. That's not a joke. I thought it was when they first told me that.

I can do it myself for about $500. Still far more than a regular car but the ratios apply. I'm confident that the vast majority of people who own the same car or ones from the same brand, pay it. I decided this winter that I'd never again even call the dealer after they quoted me $3k to fix a problem with my blower motor - again, I thought it was a joke. It wasn't. I fixed it myself for $65.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2018, 08:18:53 AM by PrairieBeardstache »