OT -- good place for brake job in east valley?

btsai · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2003, 07:56 PM

The wife's Explorer needs brakes all around pretty soon (probably Dec or January...) The dealer wants $450. Anyone have a good place they trust that you'd recommend? I live near I-10 and Ray...

Thanks,

Ben

mikiec · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2003, 11:51 AM

Ben,

You are on the wrong side of town for me to answer. However, have you considered doing it your self? Brakes are fairly simple. You only need the services of a machine shop to turn the rotors.

Mike

Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2003, 12:55 PM

Most Auto Parts stores such as Checker can turn your rotors for cheap. Inserting new pads is easy. For peace of mind I would go to Brake Masters. I have had good luck, no wait, no appt and reasonable prices there.

Bob

JoeLafives · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2003, 01:59 PM

I agree that of the shops Brake Masters is best. - Just Brakes is

I just finished my daughter's Civic. Auto Zone turned the rotors for $8.00 each and I bought the pads from Honda.

btsai · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2003, 07:17 PM

Hmmm... Never done a brake job. Done a few other things, but never seemed to get around to brakes.

Called Brake Masters -- $320 for the fronts and rears combined.

My next door neighbor just did the rears on his Expedition - maybe I can corral him into "supervising" me on the Explorer...

mikiec · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2003, 10:43 PM

Ben,

When doing a brake job for the first time it is best to do one side at a time. This way as you reassemble you will have a good reference to look at. This is most important if dealing with drum brakes.

Another important thing to remember is to keep everything clean.

If you decide to tackle this let me know. I can try to come by and help.

Mike

GASKETBOY · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2003, 06:56 AM

Ben,

If you are looking for volunteers to help you do-it-yourself drop me a line.

Like Mike C I am up north and west of you. But $320 buys lots of gas, even for an Explorer.

Most likely have all the tools needed - can use the Cobra for parts runs as well.

Back brakes most likely have little wear on them, may just need to clean them up and adjust a bit. Good time to check and / or replace front wheel bearings as well.

Jeff

btsai · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2003, 10:13 AM

You guys are awesome. I'll be in touch...

chopper · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2003, 02:35 PM

Ben:

Don't know how far "east" you want to go in the East Valley, but two places the guys at work patronize are Sandy & Son and Mesa Auto Works, both in east Mesa. I had Sandy turn the Jag rotors when I rebuilt my diff and rear brakes earlier this year. They charged $15 per rotor; I don't know what the going rate is but it seemed reasonable to me and they did that job OK. We have guys in the office that use both places with pretty good results.

Chaplin · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2003, 02:46 PM

Ben-
brakes, especially disc brakes, are very easy. And depending on the condition of the rotors, i.e., if they're not warped, grooved or if you're not getting a pulsation at the pedal, you may not even need to have the rotors cut. If you break the glaze on the rotors with a sanding disc, you can usually just put new pads on and be fine. But if you have any of the above problems, you must get them cut.

If you do it yourself, I bet you could do it for less than $80.

Maricopa · #11 (**permalink**) 11-05-2003, 04:13 PM

Be careful at any specialty auto repair shop (as opposed to a general repair shop) they are so geared to boosting the price. I sent my wife to Brake Masters once when I was too busy to do our van's. At that time it was 4 yrs old and had about 40K on it, all AZ miles. Along with the regular pad replacement and turning for their advertised priced they wanted to replace all the springs and retainers ("that stuff rusts ya know, a spring could break and lock up your rear brakes!") and rebuild both front calipers because one was 'sticking'. (they won't rebuild just one side)
That was going to raise the price about 300%. I told them to button it back up and I did it myself that weekend. It was all total BS of course.
A teacher at our kids school got hosed for a $600.00 job on a SUV with similar milage at the same shop.

Mike

Jack21 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-05-2003, 08:18 PM

C'mon fellas. If you're on this forum, the best place for "Brake jobs" is your own shop or garage. Besides, spouse (mine anyway) always gets horny when I get to the caliper bleeding part when I say, "up-down-up-down.....".