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Question from a car n00b - BRAKES

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  1. macleod51 macleod51 is offline

    Las Vegas, NV
    United States

    Posts: 3,164
    Joined: Aug 06

    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:09pm)

    Ok, so I know nothing about cars...and I mean nothing. I grew up in the computer nerd generation, so yeah. But enough explaining...here's the deal.

    I need new brakes, even this I know. My rotors have been machined to the point that they are barely there anymore and my pads are almost done too. I have an Olds Alero, 2003, 6 cy. This is on the front brakes obviously as it's 2 wheel drive. My rear brake pads I had replaced and they should be fine.

    There is a Midas next to my work, so I dropped the shit-wagon off and they were doing an estimate. They just called me and said I need 2 new rotors and 2 new brake pads and that I'd be looking at around $350 out the door for everything.

    Does this seem a little bit high? Vegas mechanics are known for screwing people apparently so I'm on the lookout.

    Any help would be appreciated...anyone know of any good chains with good brake deals??
  2. cmval cmval is offline

    Posts: 11,419
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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:11pm) in reply to macleod51

    standard i think if you need rotors too

    a mechanic that owns his own business or works outta his garage will do it for $50-75 cheaper
  3. R_U_Nuts R_U_Nuts is offline

    South Bend, IN
    United States

    Posts: 7,865
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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:12pm) in reply to macleod51

    My brother in law has the same car same year just had his brakes and rotors done for 275$, Thats in Indiana but I'm not sure why it would be that much more in Vegas.
  4. Jaybone2315 Jaybone2315 is offline Professional Couch Ruiner

    San Diego, CA
    United States

    Posts: 27,305
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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:13pm) in reply to macleod51

    Buy the pads and rotors yourself, then find a friend that will do it for a case of beer.
  5. sandler1860 sandler1860 is offline

    Dayton, OH
    United States

    Posts: 3,394
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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:13pm) in reply to macleod51

     
    Originally Posted by macleod51 View Post

    I need new brakes, even this I know. My rotors have been machined to the point that they are barely there anymore and my pads are almost done too. I have an Olds Alero, 2003, 6 cy. This is on the front brakes obviously as it's 2 wheel drive. My rear brake pads I had replaced and they should be fine.

    You say you know nothing about cars, yet I have no idea what this paragraph means. Me<you in car knowledge apparently.
     
  6. macleod51 macleod51 is offline

    Las Vegas, NV
    United States

    Posts: 3,164
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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:22pm) in reply to Jaybone2315

     
    Originally Posted by Jaybone2315 View Post

    Buy the pads and rotors yourself, then find a friend that will do it for a case of beer.

    I used to do this all the time in Ohio. People don't like getting their hands dirty as much in Vegas.
    Thread Starter
  7. sean b sean b is offline

    Nashua, NH
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:22pm) in reply to macleod51

    I used to slang car parts and thats really not to bad if they are using "premium" pads and rotors. the job should take an hour max (if the mechanic knows what he's doing then should be quicker but will still charge for said hour) or like someone else said buy them yourself and have a friend do it for a case of beer!
  8. s1nnr s1nnr is offline will stab you

    Philadelphia, PA
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:24pm) in reply to macleod51

    thats a bit cheaper then my shop used to do it for, but i worked at a dealership,so its a bit more expensive, id say that is about right
  9. dxnino dxnino is offline

    Cleveland, OH
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:35pm) in reply to macleod51

    I just check advance auto parts out by you, and rotors are $30 each and pads are between 16-25 depending on which ones you want.
  10. tdk tdk is offline

    San Francisco, CA
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 1:37pm) in reply to macleod51

     
    Originally Posted by macleod51 View Post

     
    Originally Posted by Jaybone2315 View Post

    Buy the pads and rotors yourself, then find a friend that will do it for a case of beer.

    I used to do this all the time in Ohio. People don't like getting their hands dirty as much in Vegas.

    im one of those said friends. i charge a case of beer, a joint, and some dinner.
  11. Lameass_ Lameass_ is offline

    WI
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 2:10pm) in reply to tdk

    do this, ask around
    the parts will be less than 100 and just give who ever does it like 75 bucks

    easy.
  12. bonkey bonkey is offline

    Lewisville, TX
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 2:11pm) in reply to macleod51

    The price is not high if you need new rotors, but holy fuck how do you need new rotors on a 2003?!?! Do you drive around with the breaks on?
  13. dxnino dxnino is offline

    Cleveland, OH
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 2:14pm) in reply to bonkey

    breaks?? can some tell me what a breaks is?? i wanna make sure i don't have mine on!!
  14. macleod51 macleod51 is offline

    Las Vegas, NV
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 2:40pm) in reply to dxnino

    So I told the guy when he called that I wasn't sure if I could afford that right now and that I'd call him back.

    He called me back and said they'd do it for $300 out the door, so I said fuck it, do it. Don't really feel like shopping around right now...grrr. The only reason I wish I was back in Ohio. Could have saved a buttload of money by having buddies do it. Granted, I'm wearing shorts and flip flops in Vegas and the high in Cincy today is 7. So I guess it's give and take.
    Thread Starter
  15. sol160 sol160 is offline

    Lagrangeville, NY
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 2:42pm) in reply to bonkey

     
    Originally Posted by bonkey View Post

    The price is not high if you need new rotors, but holy fuck how do you need new rotors on a 2003?!?! Do you drive around with the breaks on?

    level?
  16. FlyinHawaiin FlyinHawaiin is offline

    Detroit, MI
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 3:10pm) in reply to sol160

    Just use the brakes of the car in front of you, hopefully theirs are good.

    aloha
  17. 1.21Gigawatts 1.21Gigawatts is offline

    NY
    United States

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 3:19pm) in reply to sol160

    I've been in this exact situation before, and I chose the much cheaper alternative.

    WARNING: You will have to be somewhat self-motivated and willing to learn. If you're lazy and need people to do everything for you, just skip the next paragraph.

    Do it yourself. It's not difficult at all. You can learn everything you need to know on the internet or in a manual. Brake pads usually cost $30 at the most. My rotors were $34 a piece ($68 total). It took me three hours to do it. I basically learned on the job though. $98 vs. $350. You can't beat that.

    If you have a friend with even the slightest bit of knowledge on cars, he can help you. Changing brakes is essentially n00b work for the typical car junkie. It's the next step up from changing your own oil. You don't need any special tools or know-how to complete it beyond simple instructions.
  18. Jokerluelz Jokerluelz is offline

    Posts: 2,958
    Joined: Apr 07

    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 3:28pm) in reply to macleod51

     
    Originally Posted by macleod51 View Post

     
    Originally Posted by Jaybone2315 View Post

    Buy the pads and rotors yourself, then find a friend that will do it for a case of beer.

    I used to do this all the time in Ohio. People don't like getting their hands dirty as much in Vegas.

    Umm quit being a nerdy Biatchy a$$ girly MAN .. and get a how to do it Book and Feel more like a man when your done !! Brakes and rotors are Easy
  19. Tread Tread is offline

    Vaduz
    Liechtenstein

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    Jan 16th, 2009 (1/16/2009 3:59pm) in reply to macleod51

    The only part I dont understand is where you say your rotors were machined to the point they are barely there anymore. Are you saying you've had them re-surfaced in the past? How many miles were on them?

    When I took my ride in at about 50k for brakes they tried to tell me I needed new rotors and I said B.S. those rotors have never been turned before, there is no reason they should need to be replaced unless something was grinding into them. The guy said "well, I cant recommend that, but OK" and they resurfaced them and the car has been fine for 3 years now.

    If rotors have already been turned a couple times before, then yes they could be to the point where they are too thin to be usable. But if you have never had them resurfaced before and there is nothing unusual going on, there should be no reason to not re-use them, other than Midas wanting to sell you new ones.
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