$952 to fully replace rear brakes sound reasonable?

[KeithTalent]

Just got a call from the garage where my car is sitting (was in for a tune-up) and he said my back brakes are toast. I can't say I'm totally surprised as it's a 1997 Nissan Maxima and it has been squealing a bit and acting kind of weird (nothing crazy, just off a little).

So he said it will be $952 for pads, calipers (?), plus some other stuff (?) including labour. I searched on Google and the numbers vary wildly. I'm in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Just thought I'd check in here before I tell them to go ahead.

Thanks in advance.

KT

 

[JulesMaximus]

No, that sounds excessive. Wait, are they replacing the calipers? If so, why?

Pads and rotors are the items usually replaced in a brake overhaul as those are the wear parts and even having this done you should expect to spend about $400 at the dealer to do that work. Calipers shouldn't need replacement unless the car was abused or severely neglected...even then, they should be able to rebuild a sticking caliper.

 

[Zenmervolt]

If they're replacing the calipers with brand new parts, that doesn't sound awful, especially since they're including labor. If they're using remanufactured parts though, it's on the high side.

On the other hand, they're probably replacing the rotors and the soft lines too, so as I said it's not awful.

ZV

 

[MJinZ]

OK a brake has: pad (cheap), rotor (also known as the disc), and Calipers (the part that squeezes the rotors).

Make sure you know exactly what you are getting. Some Calipers and Rotors, like TRD ones from Toyota, will go for something like $1500 - $2000 alone (all 4). Pads are cheap. The price to replacing everything will depend on the quality and size and braking power of the Caliper and Rotor, and the quality of the pads.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Calipers shouldn't need replacement unless the car was abused or severely neglected...even then, they should be able to rebuild a sticking caliper.

Some of us live in areas where there is this thing called road salt. No abuse or neglect necessary for calipers to get rusty and start seizing after 13 winters' worth of salty roads.

The amount of time and effort for an average shop to rebuild a caliper means it's not worth it. For the hour or so it'll take them, it's cheaper just to buy a reman caliper from a parts supplier and about the same as buying a brand new caliper.

ZV

 

[JulesMaximus]

Some of us live in areas where there is this thing called road salt. No abuse or neglect necessary for calipers to get rusty and start seizing after 13 winters' worth of salty roads.

The amount of time and effort for an average shop to rebuild a caliper means it's not worth it. For the hour or so it'll take them, it's cheaper just to buy a reman caliper from a parts supplier and about the same as buying a brand new caliper.

ZV

Well, I'm not even sure they're replacing the calipers since he had a ? after this in his post.

And yes, I grew up in the north east so I'm aware of salt problem. Never had to replace calipers on any car I've owned though.

 

[KeithTalent]

Yeah, pretty sure he said calipers, I put a ? afterwards because I'm not sure what those are and was not completely clear what he said, but it sounded like calipers.

He said something about seizing, or C-comething (sorry, I know I'm a total noob) and that is why the whole thing needs to be replaced and flushed out.

He said he needs to order the parts in, so I should call him back soon if I want him to go ahead. If you guys think it sounds ok (seems like you do) then I will go ahead.

KT

 

[MJinZ]

Well, I'm not even sure they're replacing the calipers since he had a ? after this in his post.

And yes, I grew up in the north east so I'm aware of salt problem. Never had to replace calipers on any car I've owned though.

You never did a Brembo big brake upgrade? heeh ^_^

 

[MJinZ]

Yeah, pretty sure he said calipers, I put a ? afterwards because I'm not sure what those are and was not completely clear what he said, but it sounded like calipers.

He said something about seizing, or C-comething (sorry, I know I'm a total noob) and that is why the whole thing needs to be replaced and flushed out.

He said he needs to order the parts in, so I should call him back soon if I want him to go ahead. If you guys think it sounds ok (seems like you do) then I will go ahead.

KT

Get a parts list emailed to you or write it down and a breakdown of the costs.... so labor doesn't cost you $100 a hour....

 

[slag]

No, that sounds excessive. Wait, are they replacing the calipers? If so, why?

Pads and rotors are the items usually replaced in a brake overhaul as those are the wear parts and even having this done you should expect to spend about $400 at the dealer to do that work. Calipers shouldn't need replacement unless the car was abused or severely neglected...even then, they should be able to rebuild a sticking caliper.

I had a rear caliper seize on my infiniti. Never abused or severely neglected, it just seized on me.

Rebuilt caliper was 89 bucks, rebuild kit was 2x.xx. If I did it, I'd be cursing every which way, plus would have to hone the brake cylinder, etc, which is a time consuming job to just take it apart and put it all back together, so I just bought the rebuilt which came with a warranty and put it on, bled the brakes, and was back on the road in an hour or two.

 

[slag]

Well, I'm not even sure they're replacing the calipers since he had a ? after this in his post.

And yes, I grew up in the north east so I'm aware of salt problem. Never had to replace calipers on any car I've owned though.

Its relatively common on maximas.. I've had to replace 3 calipers on 2 different maximas, one was a 96 and one a 2k.

 

[StageLeft]

Number is very high if he's using auto store-type parts. If he's using OEM it's not as bad but still not a great price for just calipers, rotors, pads. The "other stuff" you refer to is impossible to quantify.

On my 2000 Maxima when i did the brakes two years ago I had a hell of a time twisting in one of the calipers. i did it but it was rough. I'd not be surprised if the seal on those has gone.

 

[KeithTalent]

He said the calipers were the most expensive, I think $552, then he listed the pads and other stuff, but I did not really hear the costs of those.

I'm going to tell him to go ahead, but get a list of everything first.

Thanks again.

KT

 

[StageLeft]

He said the calipers were the most expensive, I think $552, then he listed the pads and other stuff, but I did not really hear the costs of those.

I'm going to tell him to go ahead, but get a list of everything first.

Thanks again.

KT

OEM calipers. You can buy reman for a hundred a piece, at least in the US. How long do you want to keep that car? I would probably not put OEM anything on it given its age.

 

[KeithTalent]

OEM calipers. You can buy reman for a hundred a piece, at least in the US. How long do you want to keep that car? I would probably not put OEM anything on it given its age.

I just plan on keeping it until it falls apart completely. I do not drive that often really, I take my car out maybe once or twice a week and not very far, but I do take small road trips every once in a while (I drove to Seattle last week and am doing so again this Sunday).

If I make this change and can get 2 or 3 more years out of the car, I'll be happy with that. Does that sound reasonable? :hmm:

KT

 

[JulesMaximus]

He said the calipers were the most expensive, I think $552, then he listed the pads and other stuff, but I did not really hear the costs of those.

I'm going to tell him to go ahead, but get a list of everything first.

Thanks again.

KT

Yeah, calipers are expensive. You could try www.rockauto.com for parts.

 

[KeithTalent]

Yeah, calipers are expensive. You could try www.rockauto.com for parts.

Wow, that's crazy. I looked at my car and I didn't even recognize half of the stuff.

KT

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

OK, from RockAuto a Set of reman loaded rears is $190 and that includes core charge.
Rear Disks are $20 a pop. So $210 + ~$30 for shipping and $20 for a haynes manual, $5 on brake fluid and an afternoon and you'll save yourself a lot of money.

 

[KeithTalent]

OK, from RockAuto a Set of reman loaded rears is $190 and that includes core charge.
Rear Disks are $20 a pop. So $210 + ~$30 for shipping and $20 for a haynes manual, $5 on brake fluid and an afternoon and you'll save yourself a lot of money.

Well thanks, but no way in hell am I going to try and do that myself.

KT

 

[SSSnail]

I didn't know BMW started making Maximas too :awe:

 

[KeithTalent]

I didn't know BMW started making Maximas too :awe:

I don't get it.

KT

 

[TwinsenTacquito]

Ask which side is fucked up and have them do that side. This whole "might as well do both" crap is stupid. Fix it when it... brakes. HUH HUH PUNS

 

[Viperoni]

I agree on the caliper being replaced when broken/seized, but the pads should definetely be all replaced at the same time, and I'd expect the rotors to need replacing as well.

I find that if I dont drive my 97 max for 2-3 days I get light rust buildup on the rear brakes that takes a bit of driving to wear off.

As for the caliper prices, they are VERY expensive, I recommend they use reman parts, which should run you in the $150 a piece range.
Rotors will run about $60 a piece up here, and a brake pad set should be in the $50 range.


Really, parts cost should be less than $575 for EVERYTHING (including small stuff like brake fluid and caliper sliders, soft lines, etc).

He shouldn't spend more than 1 hour per side, and then no more than an hour bleeding the brakes.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Ask which side is fucked up and have them do that side. This whole "might as well do both" crap is stupid. Fix it when it... brakes. HUH HUH PUNS

No, it's not fucked up. Braking affects the balance of the car and it is crucial that braking is equal from side to side. No way I'd replace anything related to braking on one wheel only.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I think you're crazy for putting that kind of money into a '97 Maxima. Sell it and get another used car.