Brake job prices

Insomniator

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
6,294
171
106
Just got quoted ~$700 from 2 different places for pads and rotors on a 2009 corolla. Am I crazy or is that a lot of money?

I can find pads and rotors online for less than $200 and it can't be more than a 2 hour job for a professional right?

This is North NJ so everything is a rip off but $700 seems crazy.
 

shabby

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,781
42
91
Front and back?
Yes that's a lot and yes it shouldn't take more than 2 hours and yes you can find the parts for less than $200, but if you were the owner of the shop you'd see it differently.
Watch some youtube video's and do it yourself.
 

fstime

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2004
4,384
5
81
That's inflation for you buddy, most mechanics don't work for under $100/hr these days. Cost of living and doing business never stops increasing.

If you want it done cheaply, grab one of the employees quietly and get him to do it on the side for you.
 

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
11,782
2,685
136
Seems about right. I think my mom was quoted for about $300-$350 for the fronts for a 2007 matrix.

Learn to do it yourself and you will be a happy man. Paul's travel pictures and the Fixbook YouTube channel will show you. Do buy brake cleaner if you ever do it yourself. Less dust is always better, even if asbestos is rare these days.
 

FeuerFrei

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2005
9,152
928
126
Yeah, you'd be burning $500.


Not that difficult.
You can do it. Nicorette® can help.
 

WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
7,414
401
126
That's pricey. Bought quality drilled + slotted rotors and ceramic pads for all corners for $200 for my LS.
Got them installed at the stealership for $150 + tax (had them checking up on a potential broken with the e-brake)
 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
Are we talking all 4 wheels or just the front's?, I recommend a Haynes or Chilton's manual for your car,($11-16) a set of jackstands,($20-25) and some tools (a basic socket set,some wrench's, channel-locks, a large C-clamp all can be had on the cheap, you don't need Snap-on quality unless your doing engine work). Not only will you learn a useful skill the tools can be used on future repairs.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,413
616
126
way too much money. brake pads are 30 bucks and turning the rotors at NAPA is like 40 bucks.

i have to take my 2011 toyota sienna to the dealership to have the oil changed. [fuck you toyota and your internal filters that require a special tool to remove] and they always want to do my front brakes and they want 350 bucks. lol go jump in a lake.
 

Raizinman

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2007
2,353
74
91
meettomy.site
Don't they have some of those automotive chains in that area of the country that do cheap brake jobs? Here in the Midwest there are cheap brake shops that charge $75 an axle for just pad replacement. Anything else is extra (which is where they get you). Obviously at these prices, you get what you pay for. Cheap pads which will be noisy, not last long, and dust all over your wheels. But it will get you by for a while.
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
5,212
0
76
700 seems like a lot, especially on an economy car like a Corolla.

I believe I paid about 200 in labor and 300 in parts when I had my pads, rotors, and a rear caliper replaced (sticking caliper). That included a partial brake flush due to having a caliper replaced.

I could have gotten the parts for much less but I wanted to buy genuine OEM parts. Without the caliper, it would have been around 400 total which I'd say is reasonable if you are having a shop do it for you.
 
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DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,606
166
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
In an era when people call AAA for a flat tire because they're too stupid to change a flat tire, there's a surplus of people willing to pay an excessive amount for a trivial job.
 

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
Buy the parts and find a mechanic on CL to install. Some great mechanics moonlight there...with a Corolla, I would feel comfortable with pretty much any decent mechanic replacing the pads/rotors. I bet you could do it for <$300.

Other option...you have a mechanic friend? You could get the parts, go to their place and pay them directly. Have some fun, help out and maybe you can do it yourself next time. Did that when I was learning on my Mazda years back.
 

CurrentlyPissed

Senior member
Feb 14, 2013
660
10
81
Brake jobs are expensive at dealers because technicians are flat rate and turning rotors takes time. Most places are 115-135/hr.

However quality products and you know it's done right.

That being said I'd do them myself and with higher performance aftermarket parts. Not O'Reillys or autozone crap.
 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
In an era when people call AAA for a flat tire because they're too stupid to change a flat tire, there's a surplus of people willing to pay an excessive amount for a trivial job.

Well as far as complexity goes brake work is trivial but it is also crucial that it be done correctly. What I like is paying MYSELF exorbitant rates. I had to replace a "vent valve solenoid" about 8 months ago, thing is you have to drop the tank to get at the $18 part. Local shop was honest and said no, it won't hurt anything but your gas mileage might suffer a bit, his price, $225. I wound up getting it in but didn't have to drop the tank fully, kind of a PITA but I got it done in 2.5hrs so I paid myself about $83/hr to fix it myself but this logic is missing with so many people, sad..
 

Zor Prime

Golden Member
Nov 7, 1999
1,023
588
136
$120-$150 in parts (ALL four corners, provided the rear has discs / pads), 30 min job if someone is hurrying, an hour if something goes awry. Provided you have air tools, be slower without.

If you have the capacity (jack, stands, some place to be) learn it yourself. It's a nice feeling wrenching on your own stuff.
 

mvbighead

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2009
3,793
1
81
Brake jobs are easy. I did my first brake job 4-5 years ago, and was nervous, but I've done 3-4 since (brother's vehicle, and I have been through a couple vehicles between my wife and I).

My thing with brake jobs is I simply buy new brake pads and rotors. In the midwest, it isn't terribly often that the rotor just slides off, so it usually takes a fair amount of force and a big hammer. I usually end up with one rotor that likely can't be salvaged, so I just order a bunch of good stuff online and go all new. And usually the part total is just a hair over $200.

Lately, I have been replacing brake fluid while doing the rest. It's generally a good idea and much easier to do while you're already down there.

That being said, if you still hire the job out, you ought to be able to find it cheaper somewhere. I'd figure a rough max of $200 for parts, and if you did it yourself I bet $200 would buy quality parts whereas $200 where you are looking is likely fairly generic.

I'd have to think you could find someone to do the work for $200 or so, so maybe a max of $400 all said and done, but that won't be a business. Business will have overhead of various sorts. I suspect in NJ the rates are much higher than here in the midwest.
 

exar333

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2004
8,518
8
91
Do a little research on your car too. The Corolla should be pretty easy, but my wife's previous VW was a real pain to replace pads due to a special tool needed. Once we found it, it wasn't bad, but you needed that to unscrew the plunger. Took a lot longer than any other car I did brakes on before.
 

monkeydelmagico

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2011
3,961
145
106
If, after all the DIY advice, you are not comfy doing your own work there is a guy in washington, nj that I give huge thumbs up to. Tony's auto service. The guy's name is Ed. I've known him about 20 years. He used to be the shop supervisor at clinton Acura. Straight shooter reasonable prices.
 

k3n

Senior member
Jan 15, 2001
328
1
71
Consider using threadlocker/ loctite blue, on the caliper bracket bolt if you do it yourself.

If you have a mechanic, make sure they offer at least 1 year warranty on labor. Some mechanics out there will refuse to properly lubricate the caliper pins properly, leading damaged / warped rotors..

Also beware "Homeowners Association" don't approve of people working on their car in the neighborhood, so be sure to either do it in your garage / or mid night outside, without making hammering noise.

This may help for removing stuck rotor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMuHKDI00rw
 

evident

Lifer
Apr 5, 2005
11,938
538
126
$700 is what toyota charged us 2 winters ago to get all 4 pads replaced, 2 rotors replaced and 2 resurfaced. you should be able to get cheaper pricing at a non-dealership, say $500 or $550 with good quality parts (hopefully). this is a fairly easy DIY job for about $200-300 with good quality parts.
 

Denly

Golden Member
May 14, 2011
1,433
229
106
does Corolla brake have retaining screws? if so that maybe the only thing you have to worry about, you may have to torch it out.

And yes it is over price, it is $200 parts(all 4) and 2hr with hand tools. for them likely an hour if they try.

BTW, anyone have tip to get the retaining screws out? that thing is the PITA.
 

razel

Platinum Member
May 14, 2002
2,337
90
101
Just got quoted ~$700 from 2 different places for pads and rotors on a 2009 corolla. Am I crazy or is that a lot of money?

I can find pads and rotors online for less than $200 and it can't be more than a 2 hour job for a professional right?

This is North NJ so everything is a rip off but $700 seems crazy.

It's a bit on the higher side, but not insane. However it sounds like you can/willing to DIY. If you have a buddy whose done it before, call him (of her, if you are lucky) and make treat him/her afterwards. Brakes pad and rotors are just very dirty and the pad debris is mildly toxic. Don't deliberately breathe it. If you can change your oil and tires, then you got the skills, you just need a breaker/cheater bar and you'll be good to go. Excellent brake maintainance videos off YouTube from Eric the Guy will get your confidence going. Have fun.
 
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evident

Lifer
Apr 5, 2005
11,938
538
126
does Corolla brake have retaining screws? if so that maybe the only thing you have to worry about, you may have to torch it out.

And yes it is over price, it is $200 parts(all 4) and 2hr with hand tools. for them likely an hour if they try.

BTW, anyone have tip to get the retaining screws out? that thing is the PITA.


http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...0140801x001&KPID=00947641000&kpid=00947641000

some penetrating oil like kroil, impact screw driver and couple smacks with a hammer or mallet. works for me every time.
 

ringtail

Golden Member
Mar 10, 2012
1,030
34
91
EBC pads

Do it yourself...well below $100 for both front & back pads conbined
well below $3200 if you also replace rotors.

It's a REALLY easy wrench-turning task, and it helps you get more into a relationship with your bike.

Do it yourself.Whatch couple uTubes...ger'er done....whole shebang takes well under 1 hour.
 
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