Misc Brake Repair

crayzkirk · 07-18-2024, 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.

stumppy · 07-18-2024, 06:29 PM

Yea, $1800 seems pretty steep. If you have the tools and know what your doing you should be able to knock that out 2 or 3 hours at the most.

2-3 hours if your vehicle has a normal brake system.

IowaHawkeyeChief · 07-18-2024, 06:29 PM

I have always done my brakes, not much else, but they are so easy. If the wheel gets stuck on the hub again face away from the tire and give the edge of the rim a good horse kick.

Dunerdr · 07-18-2024, 06:33 PM

I’m a mediocre mechanic but always do my own oil and brakes. Did my BIL’s Subaru rear brakes for him and he was quoted 440$. He spent about 120 in pads and rotors I believe and it took roughly 30 minutes. It blows me away that people don’t do these simple maintenance things themselves.

My MIL was paying 55$ for tire rotations. 10 minute driveway job with an impact.

**HemiEd** · 07-18-2024, 06:33 PM

Brake jobs are easy and you made a good move buying your parts at Rockauto.

I don't understand the need to call AAA though. Was a dispatcher in India involved? It's pretty normal for the need to bang on the furthest point from center to break one loose.

I am kind of spoiled though having a 2 post lift to facilitate the work on my rides the last few years.

El Lobo Gordo · 07-18-2024, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crayzkirk

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.

My only advice to you is this. Don't get addicted to buying cheap brake parts, because once you start.......it gets hard to stop.

**srvy** · 07-18-2024, 06:36 PM

That seems very high for a brake job. I would get more estimates unless you just want to do this yourself. Be aware you might need a special tool to compress the rear calipers. One will have to be compressed and turned clockwise at same time and the other counterclockwise. The tool can be rented for free at O'Reilly's.

**HemiEd** · 07-18-2024, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Lobo Gordo

My only advice to you is this. Don't get addicted to buying cheap brake parts, because once you start.......it gets hard to stop.

scho63 · 07-18-2024, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Lobo Gordo

My only advice to you is this. Don't get addicted to buying cheap brake parts, because once you start.......it gets hard to stop.

I see what you did there!

crayzkirk · 07-18-2024, 07:12 PM

Yeah, bought the special tools for the calipers when I bought the parts. $10 for both tools. I bought Raethon. It used to be a good brand. Parts were made in India, not China.

I think they were looking for a payday because they also wanted to replace the oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets because they were leaking. I'll torque them to specs the next time I'm in there. Can buy a lot of oil for the money they are quoting. What vehicle with 167k doesn't seep some oil? I have a Jeep with 267k that has leaked oil from the rear main since new.

I tried kicking the tire from both sides and had no success. PB Blaster, let it sit overnight, etc. Felt a little guilty calling AAA however both of us have had it for years and never used it. The guy seemed happy to be able to help. I hit the hub with a wire wheel and a brass brush on the aluminum wheels. Little coat of anti-sleeze.

Disc brakes are so much easier than the old drum with the adjusters and all of the springs. Always had trouble getting the parking brake to work and adjusted right.

**Smed1065** · 07-18-2024, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crayzkirk

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.

No way?

**Smed1065** · 07-18-2024, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IowaHawkeyeChief

I have always done my brakes, not much else, but they are so easy. If the wheel gets stuck on the hub again face away from the tire and give the edge of the rim a good horse kick.

or remove a couple and drive on it. That quote is BS.

**Smed1065** · 07-18-2024, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crayzkirk

Yeah, bought the special tools for the calipers when I bought the parts. $10 for both tools. I bought Raethon. It used to be a good brand. Parts were made in India, not China.

I think they were looking for a payday because they also wanted to replace the oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets because they were leaking. I'll torque them to specs the next time I'm in there. Can buy a lot of oil for the money they are quoting. What vehicle with 167k doesn't seep some oil? I have a Jeep with 267k that has leaked oil from the rear main since new.

I tried kicking the tire from both sides and had no success. PB Blaster, let it sit overnight, etc. Felt a little guilty calling AAA however both of us have had it for years and never used it. The guy seemed happy to be able to help. I hit the hub with a wire wheel and a brass brush on the aluminum wheels. Little coat of anti-sleeze.

Disc brakes are so much easier than the old drum with the adjusters and all of the springs. Always had trouble getting the parking brake to work and adjusted right.

Cant get the tools for free from 1 of the shops even. Hell I can do it for $500 and a plane ticket......

Rainbarrel · 07-18-2024, 08:16 PM

It's all fun and games until you get brake cleaner in your pee hole

Coochie liquor · 07-18-2024, 08:51 PM

I almost always fix my truck unless it’s something that’s beyond my knowledge.

07-18-2024, 06:07 PM
crayzkirk Veteran Join Date: Nov 2016 Casino cash: $2310000	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: 4,718

07-18-2024, 06:29 PM	#2
stumppy New and Improved Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, Mo. Casino cash: $-361410	Yea, $1800 seems pretty steep. If you have the tools and know what your doing you should be able to knock that out 2 or 3 hours at the most. 2-3 hours if your vehicle has a normal brake system. __________________ “As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
Posts: 21,981	1 0

07-18-2024, 06:29 PM	#3
IowaHawkeyeChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2016 Casino cash: $1010400	I have always done my brakes, not much else, but they are so easy. If the wheel gets stuck on the hub again face away from the tire and give the edge of the rim a good horse kick. __________________ Chiefs are my favorite football team of all time!
Posts: 27,952	3 0

07-18-2024, 06:33 PM	#4
Dunerdr MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $-920000	I’m a mediocre mechanic but always do my own oil and brakes. Did my BIL’s Subaru rear brakes for him and he was quoted 440$. He spent about 120 in pads and rotors I believe and it took roughly 30 minutes. It blows me away that people don’t do these simple maintenance things themselves. My MIL was paying 55$ for tire rotations. 10 minute driveway job with an impact. __________________ Adopt-A-Chief- Rachel Santschi
Posts: 11,692	1 0

07-18-2024, 06:33 PM	#5
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $1490564	Brake jobs are easy and you made a good move buying your parts at Rockauto. I don't understand the need to call AAA though. Was a dispatcher in India involved? It's pretty normal for the need to bang on the furthest point from center to break one loose. I am kind of spoiled though having a 2 post lift to facilitate the work on my rides the last few years.
Posts: 34,071

07-18-2024, 06:36 PM	#7
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $-198750	That seems very high for a brake job. I would get more estimates unless you just want to do this yourself. Be aware you might need a special tool to compress the rear calipers. One will have to be compressed and turned clockwise at same time and the other counterclockwise. The tool can be rented for free at O'Reilly's. __________________ "The victim stance is a powerful one. The victim is always morally right, neither responsible nor accountable, and forever entitled to sympathy." Last edited by srvy; 07-18-2024 at 06:37 PM.. Reason: brain fart
Posts: 25,262

07-18-2024, 07:12 PM	#10
crayzkirk Veteran Join Date: Nov 2016 Casino cash: $2310000	Yeah, bought the special tools for the calipers when I bought the parts. $10 for both tools. I bought Raethon. It used to be a good brand. Parts were made in India, not China. I think they were looking for a payday because they also wanted to replace the oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets because they were leaking. I'll torque them to specs the next time I'm in there. Can buy a lot of oil for the money they are quoting. What vehicle with 167k doesn't seep some oil? I have a Jeep with 267k that has leaked oil from the rear main since new. I tried kicking the tire from both sides and had no success. PB Blaster, let it sit overnight, etc. Felt a little guilty calling AAA however both of us have had it for years and never used it. The guy seemed happy to be able to help. I hit the hub with a wire wheel and a brass brush on the aluminum wheels. Little coat of anti-sleeze. Disc brakes are so much easier than the old drum with the adjusters and all of the springs. Always had trouble getting the parking brake to work and adjusted right.
Posts: 4,718	2 0

07-18-2024, 08:16 PM	#14
Rainbarrel MVP Join Date: Mar 2021 Casino cash: $1140400	It's all fun and games until you get brake cleaner in your pee hole
Posts: 9,013	1 0

07-18-2024, 08:51 PM	#15
Coochie liquor Bolton gonna knock you out Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: They Freed Kartel!! Casino cash: $942394	I almost always fix my truck unless it’s something that’s beyond my knowledge.
Posts: 20,988