Cost me a whole lot for Rotor replacement

[CRUSHER450]

Just got a quote and I gave the go ahead from the local Midas Auto Repair on the cost to replace the front brake rotors $460 and the front brake pads for $60 (Labor only for the front pads, because I got pads replaced from them last time) with the Lifetime Warranty.

Does replacing rotors really cost this much for a 97 LX450?

Also is the rear brake rotors cost less to install than front, because I remeber paying lot less when I had the rear rotors installed a year or so ago (Also at Midas)?

The mechanic said the reason for the hih cost is because they have to open the wheel hub and repack the wheels along with replacing the rotors.

 

[ryanjl]

First of all, Midas sucks.

Second, in order to replace the rotors, you have to remove the calipers, hub flange, and hub. They'll probably need re-pack the wheel bearings, but this is a messy job.

OEM rotors run just under $100 each, FYI.

If you have any mechanical inclination whatsoever, you can do the job yourself and learn quite a bit.

 

[ryanjl]

By the way, they have to remove the pads to get to the brake rotor, so they are raping you for the $60 in labor to do that.

 

[CharlieS]

Crusher450,

You should consider having someone else do your brakes.

Midas will give you a lifetime warranty on your pads, but they use very hard pads that eat up rotors. That way you get your "free" pads replaced at the expense of new rotors and the labor involved. Profitable business model, but kind of dishonest.

The front rotors do require repacking the wheel bearings. Plus the front rotors are expensive compared to other vehicles.

The Toyota dealer here wants $600 for a pad/rotor job.

If you are mechanically inclined, contact CDan and get the parts and do it yourself. Or pay a good small mechanic to do it for you if you don't feel capable.

You'll be pay a lot less money and be happier in the long run.

Charlie

 

[IdahoDoug]

Since you've already given them the go ahead, and your question is "does it really cost this much?" the only possible answer is - yes you are about to write a check for over $500 with tax. That was easy - what's next? Heh.

DougM

 

[NorCalDoug]

Has anyone mentioned that Midas sucks?
Front rotor replacement involves more work than rear rotor replacement...so to answer your question...yes it should cost more.

And yes, an extra $60 for pad replacment (labor) is a total rip off...with everything already apart, it's no more than a 10 minute job to install pads.

Which reminds me of the time I chewed a Toyota service guy "a new one" when he tried to charge me $200 for front pad replacement a few years ago (before I started doing my own brake work) while the wheel bearings were being repacked.

 

[Biff]

For that kind of money I'd spend a little bit more and get Serious brake kit like MAFs DBA brake kit. $642.

http://www.man-a-fre.com/parts_accessories/DBA 4000 SERIES BRAKE KIT FZJ80.htm

I would handle that kind of brake job myself. Or you can have a wrenchathon, and invite a few members over. If you live near me I would gladly help, only thing I ask in return is some food/suds

 

[Stumper]

Its all about in who you know......just got a brake job done here at the local dealership...$300 out the door with all new pads, rotors, seals, and bearings repacked. Get to know your local parts manager and service manager, it can make life just a little bit easier and affordable if you cant do it yourself.

 

[OGBeno]

Dude!!!!!!!!! Stop before you get raped!!!!

Send Dan money for his dog food and get the stuff and do it yourself...it's take half an afternoon, maybe even less if you are mechanically inclined...

argh....I'm never taking this thing to someone else ever again (well, wait a second, I never did except for the OEM cat backs...).

You have more than enough information on these forums as well as supoportive members who'd be extremely willing to help you out...

remember this for next time!!

-o-

 

[fzj80kidpen]

So, you have already given them the go ahead.
Then asked about it here.
Now you know you got the order of events mixed up.
Next time post here first then make then decide what to do.
Midas will probably do a fine job.
Give them some grief about the $60 bucks they will probably back off.
Then before there hard pads destroy your nice new rotors order some oem pads from cdan or replace with bendix. Only takes a few minutes per tire.

 

[wob]

I would NOT pay the 60 bucks for pad replacement. PERIOD . END OF STORY.

That is just wrong for them to charge you for that. I mean, they have to take the damned things off to do the rotors.

 

[alaskacruiser]

Crusher450,

You should consider having someone else do your brakes.

Midas will give you a lifetime warranty on your pads, but they use very hard pads that eat up rotors. That way you get your "free" pads replaced at the expense of new rotors and the labor involved. Profitable business model, but kind of dishonest.

Charlie

Crusher450- not sure why you gave the go-ahead before asking people on the forum, but I guess you've already gotten enough grief about that mistake.

I quoted CharlieS' post because he makes an *excellent* point that a lot of people don't know about- which is that Midas' "lifetime" pads are crap, will chew away your rotors quickly, and often do not fit properly (I made the mistake of trying the Midas lifetime pads on my old 80 and will never make that mistake again). I even heard a Midas *employee* in IL explain to his buddy who was in for a pad replacement not to go for the lifetime pads because they would wear his rotors prematurely!

If you are not mechanically inclined or don't have the time, that is not a problem, but please at least get advice from some of the experts on this forum before jumping in with both feet- it is a shame to see someone waste money, esp. on an inferior product (and probably inferior service from Midas).

 

[firetruck41]

Front pads literally take about 5 minutes a side, remove the lug nuts/wheel, pull out the safety wire and then pins, remove pads, replace pads, then pins and safety wire, reinstall wheel, no tools needed other than lug wrench which is in the vehicle tool bag. (this is all IIRC)
So yes, they are charging you too much!
My recommendation, find a good local independent shop, if you are uncomfortable doing this simple maintenance, they will likely do a better job for better prices.

 

[Rookie2]

Well that pretty much sums up. The only thing worst you could have done was get the lifetime pads from midas and rotors from somewhere else. Then you get the full run-around when your rotors are warped after 1000 miles, because of the harse nature of the lifetime pads. It takes alot to stop these heavy rigs, so with the harsher pads, you sacrifice rotor life for pad wear.

So now you know what to do next time.


Rookie2