Brakes and rotors

[mjones6]

I don't know much about cars (I do houses)

I need "brakes".

The itemized list says pads, rotors, and other things.

What if I do NOT get the rotors "resurfaced" or "replaced" at this time ? Will new pads be better ? Good enough ? Wasted money without 'rotors' ? Will they be destroyed by the old rotors ?

Totally lost. Please talk to me like I'm in third grade on this... never even changed my own oil. Car has 110,000 miles and has already had new "brakes" once or twice. It's the wife's car for going to work in heavy interstate traffic.


Thanks much,
Matt

[atlcast]

Replace.Those are called wearable parts

[Spider-Fan]

The rotor is a disc, when you step on the brakes the pad pushes up against it. The friction slows your car down.

Ive never replaced my pads and not had to do the rotors.

If they can resurface the rotors, essentially they are sanding them down so they are flat again. Then you get the maximum contact between the rotor and the pad. If you dont resurface or replace the rotor, the contact area will be less. Your brakes wont work as well, and they will not last as long because the new pads wont wear properly.

If they can resurface, and its a lot cheaper than replacing, do it. They cant always resurface. I usually just replace the rotors. For what they charge to resurface them, its usually only a little more for the piece of mind that you got brand new ones.

If you watch a video on youtube about changing disc brakes, youll see the way rotors wear and understand why you need to take care of them when you get your pads changed.

Here is a picture that might help. See how the worn rotor has all those tiny grooves. I guess from tiny particles gerting trapped berween the pad and the rotor? I ront really know, but ive nevet seen a rotor that didnt look that way when it was time to change the brakes.

[Blake711]

You can have Rotors turned if they are still in spec. Meaning there is still material that can be cut from both sides of the rotor. Also the runout or basically warp has to be within a certain tolerance or the car will shimmy or pulsate as you stop .

You can ask the difference in price to turn then vs replace. Most rotors are so cheap now its not worth turning them you can replace them for not much more than labor to turn.

As for do you need to do it or not. YES at minimum have them turned if possible. Otherwise have them replaced. If cost to replace is no more than 50% more than turning them its money well spent to go with new ones. Brakes and tires are two of the places you shouldn't skimp.

[Spider-Fan]

Ps 30,000-50,000 miles for brakes is pretty normal

[AnthonyCorona]

I’d just get a new car


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[majestik101]

Clicked on this thinking it was another thread about another Fast and Furious spin-off movie

[mjones6]

Thanks to all who responded and the message or two. Local place wants 2000 to fix everything (morethan brakes) so anthonycorona is probably right.

[AnthonyCorona]

Originally Posted by mjones6

Thanks to all who responded and the message or two. Local place wants 2000 to fix everything (morethan brakes) so anthonycorona is probably right.

Like 4 times a year I’m right


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rudyjustinfarrell]

Originally Posted by mjones6

Thanks to all who responded and the message or two. Local place wants 2000 to fix everything (morethan brakes) so anthonycorona is probably right.

I would at least take it to one more place to get a quote from them. Yeah, it'll kill a few hours, but you'll have a better idea of what is needed and the cost of repair. My dealership was wayyy more expensive than my local car shop. I easily saved hundreds by shopping around.

[nepatsfan12dt]

Pads and rotors shouldn't cost more than a few hundred for just the parts. Dealership is going to be way more expensive than a smaller shop. Should be able to get the brake job done for under $500 and even that is on the higher side.

[dstwinsfan]

Do pads and rotors. If you are able to go to an independent shop they will be able to get parts from a Napa sort of place. Resurfacing rotors is a thing of the past. Places charge $20 or so to resurface and now you can buy new rotors for less than $30 each. IMO resurfaced rotors warp quick and that causes your vehicle to have a shake when you apply the brake pedal. As for brake pads go with the middle of the road tier. The lowest tier suck and the highest tier is for cops and ambulances. I don’t know how big of a city you live in but try to go to a smaller shop. Those big shops have big expenses and charge high prices to keep their big places open. A Lower overhead shop usually means a better value for the customer. Any other questions lmk. I work of semi trucks everyday and know enough about cars to keep myself out of trouble.

[dstwinsfan]

If you get an itemized quote I can also tell you where and how they are trying to screw you iver. All for rotors and pads should cost around $240 for the parts.

[Bader]

More than anything your itemized lists probably favors labor as the highest cost. You figure average decent mechanic is going to charge you flat $45/hr and dealerships anywhere between $75-$100/hr labor

More than likely you only need pads but it is recommended to replace the rotors as well for better brake performance. When vehicle is parked if the rotor is badly corroded or rusted I would replace if you run your finger along the rotor (disc) if it’s gritty and rough feeling or has any dents/scratches replace them if it’s smooth your fine and only need to replace the brake pads.

Watch YouTube videos on replacing rotors n pads this is a simple DIY job and can save you hundreds of dollars from labor costs n replacement part markups

If you have an Advance Auto Parts near you, go to their website you will be given a 20% off coupon online order your parts to your vehicle selection pay n pick up parts in store

[Peties Army]

Originally Posted by AnthonyCorona

I’d just get a new car


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

#Blessed

[AnthonyCorona]

Originally Posted by Peties Army

#Blessed

I meant I’d steal a new one. Or buy it on eBay and then claim I never received it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spider-Fan]

Originally Posted by mjones6

Thanks to all who responded and the message or two. Local place wants 2000 to fix everything (morethan brakes) so anthonycorona is probably right.

I suppose that depends on the car, but if its all routine stuff, just get quotes from a few places. If you are handy enough to work on your house, you can do the pads and rotors yourself for half the price the shop is charging. Its pretty straightforward - remove tires, remove caliper, remove pads and rotor, install new pads and rotor, reattach caliper, reattch tire. Youll need a c-clamp, break cleaner and lube, the new parts, a jack and a lug wrench, and whatever size wrench fits your caliper bolts. You can more than likely watch a youtube tutorial on your vehicle to figure out if you can handle the job or not. FYI that caliper can be a real bear to loosen.

Or you could go to a brakes specialty place for the brakes and someplace else for the other work. The brakes specialty places usually have decent prices.

[Wombat]

Originally Posted by mjones6

I don't know much about cars (I do houses)

I need "brakes".

The itemized list says pads, rotors, and other things.

What if I do NOT get the rotors "resurfaced" or "replaced" at this time ? Will new pads be better ? Good enough ? Wasted money without 'rotors' ? Will they be destroyed by the old rotors ?

Totally lost. Please talk to me like I'm in third grade on this... never even changed my own oil. Car has 110,000 miles and has already had new "brakes" once or twice. It's the wife's car for going to work in heavy interstate traffic.


Thanks much,
Matt

Might be more cost effective to just take out a decent life insurance policy on her.

[dashcol]

Last time I replaced rotors and pads on two cars at the same time. It cost me $700 to do both cars after parts and labor. Who ever told you $2000 is insane. They are all easy to replace and can be done in an afternoon. The only reason I usually opt to have someone else do it is because parts for one car is about $200, labor should be about $150 and to me it is worth $150 to not have to crawl under the car, pull four tires off, remove and grease everything and put it all back on. It would take an average amateur mechanic 2 hours per tire so 8 hours total. So about $20 an hour. If you value your time more than $20 an hour, pay someone to do it, and they’ll do it in 3 hours.

No kidding though, I agree with buying a new car. Only because we have two cars, but a new one every three years. By the time the oldest car is ready for a brake change it has been 5-6 years. Warranty is up, parts are going to start wearing, and required maintenance is coming due. Not worth the hassle to me, I just tase it in and get a new car. Just my opinion though.

[dashcol]

Originally Posted by Spider-Fan

I suppose that depends on the car, but if its all routine stuff, just get quotes from a few places. If you are handy enough to work on your house, you can do the pads and rotors yourself for half the price the shop is charging. Its pretty straightforward - remove tires, remove caliper, remove pads and rotor, install new pads and rotor, reattach caliper, reattch tire. Youll need a c-clamp, break cleaner and lube, the new parts, a jack and a lug wrench, and whatever size wrench fits your caliper bolts. You can more than likely watch a youtube tutorial on your vehicle to figure out if you can handle the job or not. FYI that caliper can be a real bear to loosen.

Or you could go to a brakes specialty place for the brakes and someplace else for the other work. The brakes specialty places usually have decent prices.

If you do them yourself, like spider said it’s not difficult, have someone with you that has done it before. Even though it is easy, your brakes are something you want to make sure are done right. It literally can be life or death if done wrong.

Again, if you do it yourself, DO NOT forget to trade the break pads! I didn’t do it once, because I was like why would I spend $2 for this tiny pack of grease (about the size of one alcohol wipe), when it isn’t required? The God aweful sound that came every time I stepped on the breaks! After a couple weeks of that, I ripped the breaks apart again just to grease them and stop the noise!

Doing it yourself can be cheaper, especially if you buy from some cheaper places. I recommend Rock Auto, their prices can’t really be beat and you can get anything from the cheapest of cheap to performance racing parts. If you don’t want to wait for parts to be delivered, last I checked Auto Zone would price match.

[Blake711]

Originally Posted by Bader

More than anything your itemized lists probably favors labor as the highest cost. You figure average decent mechanic is going to charge you flat $45/hr and dealerships anywhere between $75-$100/hr labor

Man I haven't seen $45 shop rate in over 20 years for independent shops. They are all $70-$90 with Domestic Dealers $100-$130 and High end $150-$180

[gopherfan]

Originally Posted by Blake711

Man I haven't seen $45 shop rate in over 20 years for independent shops. They are all $70-$90 with Domestic Dealers $100-$130 and High end $150-$180

This is true. However, whoever said it would take 8 hours to do all 4 tires is incredibley slow. I’m not a mechanic, and I can do all 4 on a car in under 3 hours. Usually under 2. $2000 for a brake job is ridiculous. If you’re in MN, pm me. I’ll do it for you.

[Oldan Poar]

.....

[BGT Masters]

Originally Posted by dashcol

Last time I replaced rotors and pads on two cars at the same time. It cost me $700 to do both cars after parts and labor. Who ever told you $2000 is insane. They are all easy to replace and can be done in an afternoon. The only reason I usually opt to have someone else do it is because parts for one car is about $200, labor should be about $150 and to me it is worth $150 to not have to crawl under the car, pull four tires off, remove and grease everything and put it all back on. It would take an average amateur mechanic 2 hours per tire so 8 hours total. So about $20 an hour. If you value your time more than $20 an hour, pay someone to do it, and they’ll do it in 3 hours.

No kidding though, I agree with buying a new car. Only because we have two cars, but a new one every three years. By the time the oldest car is ready for a brake change it has been 5-6 years. Warranty is up, parts are going to start wearing, and required maintenance is coming due. Not worth the hassle to me, I just tase it in and get a new car. Just my opinion though.

8 hours to do brakes and routers is insane. I've only ever changed mine twice and it doesn't take me close to that amount of time.

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by gopherfan

This is true. However, whoever said it would take 8 hours to do all 4 tires is incredibley slow. I’m not a mechanic, and I can do all 4 on a car in under 3 hours. Usually under 2. $2000 for a brake job is ridiculous. If you’re in MN, pm me. I’ll do it for you.

op said $2k was for more then just brakes.