100 Series Front Brake Service price check

[wbwufpack]

I have a 2003 LX470 that’s due for front brake replacement, and I know this can be a labor‑intensive job. I’m trying to get a sense of what a reasonable price looks like. My go‑to shop in south Denver quoted me about $1,600 using Toyota OEM parts.

For those who have had this service done recently, what did you end up paying?
Also, I recall someone on this forum does brake work in the Denver area—if you see this, please feel free to PM me if you might be interested in taking on the job.

 

[3_puppies]

without knowing exactly what they will be doing for $1600, it is hard to say if it is good or bad
brake replacement is vague and means different things to different people

 

[2001LC]

You can toss in pads & shims yourself.
OEM pads only, $300 to $400 is reasonable. But, just pads, is rarely, all that's needed. Shim kit, is required. Tacks on ~$100, if old shims aren't reusable.

Very often, more than just pads & shims are needed.

These days, we don't see 100 series, with factory brakes assembly still in place. Most have been replace muliple times. So often parts are missing, mostly shims & fitting kit. Then the average INDY and many Dealerships, assemble as they found.

Front brake service, if include new rotors. Require pulling wheel hub, which house wheel bearings. Then unless a mechanic known the 100 series and flows proper procedure. They make a mess of wheel hub, hub flange and bearings. So much so, it may even result in outer axle of FDS (AKA CV) damage.

I've come behind countless bad front brake rotor services. Which become damage multipliers. Even if the tech knowns the 100 series and proper procedures. Most, will not take the time to do service by the book, which is time consuming. This results in damaged parts, needing replacement next service.

So perhaps you need to be more concerned with, who does the service!

 

[wbwufpack]

without knowing exactly what they will be doing for $1600, it is hard to say if it is good or bad
brake replacement is vague and means different things to different people

I should have provided more detail in my original post. The quote includes replacing the pads and rotors, disassembling the hubs, and repacking the bearings.

 

[Jerzywerzy5]

I should have provided more detail in my original post. The quote includes replacing the pads and rotors, disassembling the hubs, and repacking the bearings.

That’s fair if using oem parts. It’s probably a 5-7 hour job with repacking the bearing and pressing the races. Also $4-$700 in parts depending on what’s being replaced. Are the rotors shot?

 

[TahoeZ]

That price is reasonable for a complete brake job with new pads and rotors. As 2001LC said above, who does it is very important. It's not a straightforward brake job.

 

[rexington14]

Seems about right. A Toyota/Lexus dealership front brake job on one of their generic crossover/suvs is probably pushing $800 these days.

 

[nissanh]

It is super easy to replace disk pads on a fixed caliper on a Toyota. My 12 year old daughter replaced brake pads on my 4runner last year.

Remove the wheel, pull the lock clips and then pull the horizontal retaining pins, push the old pads so as to compress the pistons back into the caliper (do not remove pads) until you push the pistons in all the way. Orient new pads as the old ones, and then remove old pads and put the new ones in, slide the two horizontal pins with release springs to catch the pads and caliper together and then lock the pins with the lock pin.

 

[Jerzywerzy5]

Seems about right. A Toyota/Lexus dealership front brake job on one of their generic crossover/suvs is probably pushing $800 these days.

A disc brake service for most vehicles is usually 1.3-1.7 hours per axle depending if the rotors are turned, pads vary in cost but let’s say $100. At $250 hr (local CA rates) should be $425-$525.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Rotors on the 100 are a little more involved, it's not just caliper off, hammer rotor off hub. It's caliber off, hub apart, unbolt rotor from hub, repack hub, reassemble. And races aren't involved in a basic repack.

OP, you didn't say if your shop is indie or a dealer. Dealer labor prices have gone nuts, so your price seems in line there, maybe a little high for an indie.

 

[offoradjunkie]

I have not personally had this work done by a mechanic, but it is NOT that difficult.
Took me about 1-2 hours for the front. I did the rear too and installed steel lines, bled the whole thing in about 6 hours.

 

[rexington14]

A disc brake service for most vehicles is usually 1.3-1.7 hours per axle depending if the rotors are turned, pads vary in cost but let’s say $100. At $250 hr (local CA rates) should be $425-$525.

And if you need new rotors? $100+ each at dealer MSRP pricing on a relatively new Highlander for example.

 

[wbwufpack]

Rotors on the 100 are a little more involved, it's not just caliper off, hammer rotor off hub. It's caliber off, hub apart, unbolt rotor from hub, repack hub, reassemble. And races aren't involved in a basic repack.

OP, you didn't say if your shop is indie or a dealer. Dealer labor prices have gone nuts, so your price seems in line there, maybe a little high for an indie.

I understand this service is much more involved than replacing front brakes on most vehicles. I’ve handled brake work on other cars myself several times, but this job is more than I’m comfortable taking on. The estimate I received is from an independent shop on the south side of Denver. They have a solid reputation and have always treated me fairly, but I like to get a sanity check on pricing for larger repairs.

The rotors appear to be in good condition, so simply installing new pads might be an option. My concern with that approach is whether skipping the bearing repack could lead to issues down the road.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I was responding to the post saying it was a ~1.5 hour job. If you're just replacing pads, Toyota couldn't have made it easier. Bearing repack depends on when it was done last. Get a cheap HF digital caliper and measure the rotor thickness, specs are in the FSM.

 

[2001LC]

I should have provided more detail in my original post. The quote includes replacing the pads and rotors, disassembling the hubs, and repacking the bearings.

In Denver, with OEM pads, shims, rotors and a wh. br. service. $1,600 more than fair. If job done right!

I've talk with OP. While the price is more than fair. I doubt he needs pad or rotors at this time.
He has DBA rotor, no brake pull or pulse, no wear indicator squeal (1mm) sounds. Unknown if wheel bearings loose or service over due.

He lives, few miles from me. So, I'll have him stop by, and I'll check his wheel bearings for play, and take a look at pads and rotors. My bet is, rotors are in great condition. Pads~ in 3mm and can wait.

I've had work come to me, after this shop he's using. Where they did needlessly, R&R 4 AHC rams (shocks) on a 200 series, and AHC failed afterwards. Wasted good factory parts and money.

 

[Jerzywerzy5]

And if you need new rotors? $100+ each at dealer MSRP pricing on a relatively new Highlander for example.

it’s pretty uncommon to actually need rotors. They are often replaced because the shop doesn’t have the equipment to turn.