Need Advice Recommendations for reasonable Brake Jobs?

Does anyone have any recommended places to take their vehicles to for brake jobs? Don't know of any reputable places around here that will do reasonable brake work..

In fact, any places that people should stay away from as well?

Thanks to all...

 

I'd be curious to hear recommendations as well.

In general, you should probably expect to be charged 1.5 hours of labor per axle, at around $95-$100 per hour. You can probaby get the pads cheaper online than through the shop, and be sure to get ceramic pads rather than semi-metallic (less squeaking, less heat, less visible brake dust).

As a rule, you should always check the parts prices from a shop in advance if you can, I once had a shop try to charge me $170 for a part I could get online for $20. Usually though you don't know which part you need before you get to the shop, then buying online means a few extra days in the shop for the car.

 

Fallon's Automotive. I am sold on them.

 

if I indeed buy the parts, what shop would let me give them the parts to put on the car? Many shops, I notice won't do the work using parts from elsewhere....I'd be glad to find out from you what shops have allowed you to give them parts that are bought online or from Autozone or similiar shops like that.

Don't know if broadlands Assn allows people to work on their cars in their driveways by chance?

 

If your car has rotors on all 4 corners and you are just changing pads, it is usually a rather easy job and can be done by yourself if your are handy.

If you tackle it yourself, let me know and I'll come over and help out.

Takes me about 30 minutes for each wheel.

Curry's Auto will let you bring your own parts if you are looking for a shop.

 

+One

 

I've had others recommend Fallons. I may give them a try since I need brake work done. I've gone to both of the local Ashburn Goodyear locations at various times. They ALWAYS find additional problems with my car so I'm always skeptical.

 

I've also used Fallon's and been happy with them. No major repair needed, but the experience I had was good.

 

James.... I am having a HELLUVA time getting the bolts off of the calipers as I wanted to change the rotors...the rotors do need to be replaced for sure.....I bought everything and could barely get the bolts off...Do you have any chance but have power tools that can loosen the bolts? It was pure agony trying to loosen the bolts and I don't want to damage the bolts to boot....if not, it may look like I may have to take it to Curry's Auto and ask if they can loosen the bolts by powe then tighten by hand so I can do the work myself....Not sure if they will do that or not.

Can you advise?

Thanks James!

 

What kind of car do you have out of curiosity?

 

Meh....I think the factory put the bolts on SO tight that its becoming a PITA to get it off...I used metric tools and it still wouldn't budge...this is the Civic...This is the first time I've replaced the rotor on the car and I think the factory did a heck of a great job in ensuring that the bolt doesn't come off. HA!

What next now....hmmm.

 

spray it with some penetrating oil and let it sit overnight perhaps. What year is the civic? I remember my 96 accord you couldn't change the rotors like most cars (ie just remove caliper bracket and it comes out) and they recommended machining the rotors while on the car with some special honda tool. How long is your ratchet? Sometimes I wack the end with a mallet to get it going like flynnibus said.

 

Would you believe it that its a 2006?!? Those factory robots really did a great job of securing them, I say. LOL

 

Have you tried something with more leverage? A long breaker bar can do wonders. I just finished up a suspension rebuild on one of my cars and the caliper bolts were tough to get off. I couldn't do it with just a ratchet. I had to use lots of penetrating oil (let it sit over night), a breaker bar, and a rubber mallet. They broke loose in no time after that.

 

May be the Do It Yourself Mechanics place would have the equipment to get the bolts off.

www.ditymechanics.com

 

Address or phone #?

 

Any idea what their fee per hour is?

 

202 Lane Court, Unit F
Sterling, VA
703-478-9550.

 

Thanks Cliff