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crayzkirk · Yesterday, 06:07 PM

Does anyone still work on cars? I'm in the middle of a brake replacement on a 2006 Ford Freestyle. Quote was $1800 for front/rear brakes. That seems really excessive to me. I bought parts from Rock Auto for $225 shipped; new rotors and pads front and rear.

So far, the biggest issue was a wheel was stuck on the hub and we had to call AAA to get it loose. Looks like I will be buying a 3lb dead blow hammer.

Who else likes to save money doing things themselves?

I still enjoy fixing things however getting up off the ground continues to get more difficult as the time goes on. I realize that at some point, my body won't be able to cash the checks my brain is writing...

CK.

scho63 · Yesterday, 08:55 PM

It's becoming so difficult to get anyone to do blue collar work that those good tradesmen are jacking up prices like crazy.

A8bil · Yesterday, 11:15 PM

I maintain about 6 cars. Brakes I always do, and I always replace rotors every two pad replacements. Shops will often grind the disk to allow the pads to better seat, but I've never found that necessary. Replacing both prevents parts getting frozen from rust. If you have a good jack, an impact wrench and some basic tools, it is a quick job. With the new electronic parking brakes, you might have to buy a program to retract the electronic brake (usually can be done manually too), but more importantly to reset the brake warning light. Easy job.

Yesterday, 06:07 PM
crayzkirk Veteran Join Date: Nov 2016	Brake Repair Does anyone still work on cars? I'm in the middle of a brake replacement on a 2006 Ford Freestyle. Quote was $1800 for front/rear brakes. That seems really excessive to me. I bought parts from Rock Auto for $225 shipped; new rotors and pads front and rear. So far, the biggest issue was a wheel was stuck on the hub and we had to call AAA to get it loose. Looks like I will be buying a 3lb dead blow hammer. Who else likes to save money doing things themselves? I still enjoy fixing things however getting up off the ground continues to get more difficult as the time goes on. I realize that at some point, my body won't be able to cash the checks my brain is writing... CK.
Posts: 4,454

Yesterday, 08:55 PM	#16
scho63 Politically Incorrect scho63's Avatar Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ	It's becoming so difficult to get anyone to do blue collar work that those good tradesmen are jacking up prices like crazy.
Posts: 51,274

Yesterday, 11:15 PM	#17
A8bil Veteran Join Date: Sep 2017	Always DIY I maintain about 6 cars. Brakes I always do, and I always replace rotors every two pad replacements. Shops will often grind the disk to allow the pads to better seat, but I've never found that necessary. Replacing both prevents parts getting frozen from rust. If you have a good jack, an impact wrench and some basic tools, it is a quick job. With the new electronic parking brakes, you might have to buy a program to retract the electronic brake (usually can be done manually too), but more importantly to reset the brake warning light. Easy job.
Posts: 1,077