Brakes may need to be replaced when wheels make a high pitched screeching or grinding noise, if brakes fail to slow or stop the car normally, if brake pedal slowly drops to the floor after brakes are engaged, if vehicle pulls to one side while braking, or if vibrations can be felt from the pedal while brakes are applied.
Typical costs:
$90 to $250, per axle. Many low cost advertised specials include only basic inspection and brake pad replacement.
Costs vary from one make and model to another, but cars with higher initial purchase prices tend to be more expensive to repair as the parts also tend to cost more than their more economical counterparts and sometimes involve more complex systems that require more labor.
Some examples of typical prices for front brake pads: 2005 Audi A6, $215. 2005 Toyota Camry, $150. 2005 Dodge Caravan, $185.
Prices also vary depending on prevailing labor costs. If workers tend to be paid less than average in your area, you may find lower prices.
What should be included:
Road test to check for problems and current operating condition.
Removal of wheels and inspection of brake pads, rotors, bearings and calipers.
Cleaning components, inspecting and possibly resurfacing or replacing the brake rotors, cleaning and repacking bearings. (Most front wheel drive cars have hub bearings, which are typically inspected and replaced if necessary, rather than being serviced).
Some, but not all, vehicles also require a hydraulic brake system flush.
Additional costs:
Condition of additional brake parts, beyond pads, that need to be replaced, will increase costs.
If rotors need to be replaced, expect repairs to increase to $300-$650.
Discounts:
Some repair shops offer discounts for AAA members.
Shopping for brakes:
Find a mechanic before you need one. Do your research and locate a mechanic you trust before you actually need servicing, so you aren't stuck with the first mechanic you find during a time of need.
Had the front pads replaced, rotos ground down, drums and rear brakes completely replaced, along with Fuel filter and spark plugs replaced, amazed me by the final price! Shopped around a bunch nothing Beats PepBoys, I use to have doubts about the corporate world repairing my vehicle, now I have PB do everything, much cheaper and they stand by their work. Happy to be a PepBoys customer.
This is serious.! now after reading this i didnt even think it was possible to get ripped off this bad! I (SERIOUSLY) paid 52$ +FREE SHIPPING for 2 BRAND NEW rotors and 4 pads of redline brakes GOOD BRAND off EBAY and put them on myself and its great i honestly didnt think people paid this much for brake work. I have a Mits Eclipse and using redline brakes is great when i go to the strip..I stop on a dime! well goodluck. either way order these brakes and have a shop do them for you if you dont want to it will save you money!
PS my father drove semi truck for 10 years only with REDLINE brakes and never had any problems.
I don't know if this is good or bad, I just know it isn't fun... just took in for 150K servicing, they told me car not safe to drive home even tho I haven't had any braking issues. 8 mos ago took in for inspection they told me rear brakes needed pads rotors and calipers too.
I am so glad that I decided to do my brakes myself after looking on here I probably saved over $400. It is really not a difficult job, we ran into a snag such as needing a new caliper and a lug nut being over tightened. We bought all the parts from autozone so we get the money back on brake pads, rotors have a 1yr warranty, and we got $25 back for bringing back the broken caliper. I only watched my brother do the brakes once last year and I just went to ehow for the step by step directions.
Went in for a oil change. I needed to change my brakes but was waiting for summer. First said 800 (like i was gonna do that). Then the manager came and said 350 for all 4 wheels (roators and brake pads)
I got four ceramic genuine Motorcraft brake pads for my Zephyr sport and my rotors were turned/remachined. It took around 2 hours.
Lincoln Ultra High Performance Brakes would have been $650 for 4 pads, Lincoln High Performance Brakes would have been $450 for 4 pads and the mechanic told me that is actually Motorcraft but different packaging so I would pay for the brand name thus that is the same as the ceramic Motorcraft that comes in Motorcraft box not in Lincoln Hight Performance labeled box.
Started hearing metal on metal. It was a Sunday and the only place open was NTB. He suggested about $1300 in maintenance and I told him only the rear pads and rotor. He quoted me $400, called after I left telling me it was actually $690. I told him I'd call him back. He called me back with 577. Took about 2 hours. The brakes are working fine. It just seems like a lot for just the rear.
After reading all these post on how much you guys paid ,I almost cried. Ther is no need to pay so much. What some shops charge you to resurface is as much as new rotors and pads are usually 20 -50 dollars (not all). If you are ever in San Antonio,Tx look me up I will do the labor for front and back for fifty and the parts are lifetime warranty so if you need brakes again ,its only fifty for labor.(domestic cars) My experience includes working at a local shop(name withheld)
After reading all these post on how much you guys paid ,I almost cried. Ther is no need to pay so much. What some shops charge you to resurface is as much as new rotors and pads are usually 20 -50 dollars (not all). If you are ever in San Antonio,Tx look me up I will do the labor for front and back for fifty and the parts are lifetime warranty so if you need brakes again ,its only fifty for labor.(domestic cars) My experience includes working at a local shop(name withheld)
Charlie again, Nissan Maxima premium front pads 42.00 and two rotors go for 66.00. Inspection just inlvolves removing tire , my fee 50 for labor=158.00 total cost (lifetime warranty on pads) ( we underscore will1 at hotmail dot com ) Contact me in San Antonio if anyone is tired of paying shop prices.
Monroe pads from Amazon for $45 and free after rebate. Two centric rotors from carjunky for $60. Did it myself at my backyard. On BMW's, rotors and pads have to be replaced at the same time. I usually go with cheapest parts which last about 30-40K miles which I careless about. I never had problems with these parts.
I have been servicing my care there for the last 4 years. Went to the shop to check on brakes as my car was making a little noise and the wheel shook. I was told that my pads are good, but rotors needs resurfacing. So, they did it. Seems ok. I do think I was overcharged a bit for the job (can't really complain - its a dealer), but it is hard to find a good trusting mechanic....
Majority of the cost is going to be technician labor. i got 2 front brake pads at autozone for $18 with lifetime warranty and i took it to dealer and they charged me $35 dollars for the install. so go ahead and pick up the parts and take it to a decent shop and save you a lot of money!!!