I've always prided myself on being my own mechanic despite my lack of knowledge. However, with a full time job and a full time courseload for my Masters degree I no longer have the time to do my own work. I need to replace my brake pads, front and rear. I know it's doesn't take much time to do yourself, but after five weekends of trying to set some time aside (to no avail), I honestly can't wait any longer - nor do I have any "free" weekends in the next month. So, I called a couple places around town...

Acura dealership - $400!
Honda dealership - $300
"Just Brakes" - $99

Despite the low price at Just Brakes, I haven't heard many good things about them. The guy on the phone was trying to pressure me in to coming in RIGHT NOW and I would expect them to find several other things that would need my immediate attention/money.

What a freaking ripoff...

Anyone have good experiences at chain-type places for a simple brake job?


Cheers,

Matt

 

Sometimes if you find a new place you can get them to install the parts without having to buy them from their business. They do this as an attempt to lure you in with the "We're the nicest" approach. You can get some nice ceramic pads (front/back) for $150-$200 or so and you can shop around on Ebay. Excelerate has ceramic pads for sale also, but they might be a bit more expensive/nice. Imho, you shouldn't skimp on your brakes because they are so important.

If you have a 97 2.2CL (brakes are harder, I believe) then the $300 sounds about right (for parts/labor). You shouldn't have to pay any more than $75-100 in labor, though. Try to find local shops that specialize in Acura/Honda there are usually plenty of them and they might have cheaper labor.

 

You can get EBC green stuff brake pads all around for around $130 if not a little less and they are excellet pads. Like Krafty said, labor shouldn't be too much, it's a quick job for mechanics with the right tools.

 

damn, man if you were near me, I'd say swing it by this weekend.

I need an excuse to use the two 2 TON jacks and four 2 TON jack stands I just bought

 

Where in NC are you? I lived out there from 03-06 - near the coast....jacksonville, emerald isle, thereabouts....beautiful state!

 

i live outside of Raliegh.

 

where? i live in Raleigh

 

I have a house in statesville
but live in atlanta

 

Smithfield, after Clayton in Johnston Co. I live right near downtown.

 

just west of Raleigh here

 

damn, a lot more east NC people now!

 

yea i live in Garner technically its Raleigh for mailing issues though...

 

damn, then i'm right down 70 from you.

I'm thinking a meet this summer sounds good.

 

Possibly, are you in the Air Force, Marines, Navy, Army, or Coast Guard?

 

Af

 

This is acutally a pretty involved project. On the front brakes the hub is pressed over the rotor. This means that the wheel frame has to be removed and the rotor pressed off and a new pressed on. If your just doing pads, do it in the driveway with a 10mm socket and a C-clamp, 15mins a side.

 

Oh thats cool