Roughly how much to replace brakes?

[E equals MC2]

I have a 2003 Mazda 6 with 50,001 miles on it:

1. Brakes are wearing out, especially rear ones. How much $$ should I expect for switching all four brakes?

2. How long does it usually take to replace them? Hours? Days?

3. Should I take it to my dealership or just take it to Meineke? Do prices really vary?

4. Is 50,000 miles about the right time for brakes to be changed?

Thank you.

 

[KK]

Do it yourself for ~40-50 dollars.. It'll take you around 1 hour. Not sure about taking it somewhere how long it'd take or cost.

 

[homestarmy]

1. I think for all four, if I remember correctly, ~$70?

2. For a regular garage or stealership, if they get you right in an hour. Otherwise, that time plus the normal wait for your car to be actually seen.

3. Stealerships generally are extremely overpriced... HOWEVER, they will probably use much better brake pads. The main difference is that they will likely not dust as much. Cheap brake pads can often stop as well as OEM, but will turn your wheels black/grey and are a PITA when you go to clean the wheels. If the price difference isn't huge, go to the stealership. Or better yet, buy the pads there (or online, much cheaper) and take it somewhere cheap to install if you can.

4. Pretty much. Depends on how you drive. Also check your owner's manual. It should be a part of the scheduled maintenance.

Now, how do you know they need to be replaced, especially the rears? Did you look at them? Are they squealing? There is generally a warning item that makes a noise every time you brake when they get to a certain wear point.

And as far as doing it yourself, it is going to take far over an hour if you do it by yourself and you have never done it before. With a jack and jackstands, it will take a normal person that has done it before probably around an hour.

 

[fitzov]

repost

 

[radioouman]

Do it yourself. If you don't know how, ask a friend or get a service manual.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: homestarmy
1. I think for all four, if I remember correctly, ~$70?

2. For a regular garage or stealership, if they get you right in an hour. Otherwise, that time plus the normal wait for your car to be actually seen.

3. Stealerships generally are extremely overpriced... HOWEVER, they will probably use much better brake pads. The main difference is that they will likely not dust as much. Cheap brake pads can often stop as well as OEM, but will turn your wheels black/grey and are a PITA when you go to clean the wheels. If the price difference isn't huge, go to the stealership. Or better yet, buy the pads there (or online, much cheaper) and take it somewhere cheap to install if you can.

4. Pretty much. Depends on how you drive. Also check your owner's manual. It should be a part of the scheduled maintenance.

Now, how do you know they need to be replaced, especially the rears? Did you look at them? Are they squealing? There is generally a warning item that makes a noise every time you brake when they get to a certain wear point.

And as far as doing it yourself, it is going to take far over an hour if you do it by yourself and you have never done it before. With a jack and jackstands, it will take a normal person that has done it before probably around an hour.

No way that they'll do it for less than $300. However, I do agree it'll take more than an hour if you do it yourself.