Cost of replacing brakes (labor only)
 

Well I have finally collected everything to fully replace (and slightly upgrade) my 10 year old braking system.

4 new rotors (Raceconcepts slotted/dimple drilled)
4 ceramic pads
4 rebuilt calipers (rebuilt and powdercoated by Doug)
4 stainless steel hoses

I called my trusted independent Subaru only shop (4 senior master techs who were all around when the SVX is new - probably more SVX experience then is left at any of the dealers around here, and allegedly slightly cheaper than dealer).
He quoted me $420 for the labor to install the goods. :eek:

I'm a little nervous of taking the SVX to another place to do the job, but I'm thinking there may be some big price drops. Anyone else out there had this much work done and know the labor price? Any of the mechanics out there have an idea what the fair labor charge should be?

Keep in mind I already have ALL the parts (except fluid I guess), there is no rotor resurfacing or anything involved, this is just taking the old off and putting the new on.

I had considered doing this job myself, but was still a little nervous about messing with brakes. And it's my daily driver I can't afford to do something wrong and have it stuck on blocks for days on end. Considering this price quote though I may still do that.

This is the way many shops get around the customers that bring their own parts. They just figure the regular 'book' labor and add the parts margin. Either that or just double the labor rate. Which would you prefer hearing? No matter what, they need to charge $x.xx per job in order to keep the doors open.

We avoid the entire issue by refusing customer supplied parts. Besides, we warranty our work for 12/12,000 - who wants to argue with somone if the failure was due to their cheap-ass parts or the labor performed. (Most everyone around here that brings their own parts just bought them at Autozone. Who in hades decided that the guys behind the counter there have the least little bit of diagnostic ability? If they did, don't you suppose they'd have a job in a real garage, making a decent wage??? Another question that comes readily to mind is doesn't anyone stop to wonder why their parts are cheaper than other suppliers? Duh! Sorry, I'm not implying that your parts came from there, it's just that this is a HUGE sore spot with me.) Plus I haven't even mentioned the PITA it is when you disable a car on the rack and find out the wrong parts were ordered/shipped/etc. Now you have a rack tied up for $0. I don't know about you, but I hate the taste of $0 food at my dinner table...

Troy, may I suggest a road trip to MI
 

You bring your parts and a 12 pack, no make it a case of beer (my choice :D ) and we'll do your brakes. Hell, I might even get Wendy to cook us something! :D :D :D

Todd

Todd - that sounds like fun. I'll check my calendar and get back to you! :D :D

Beav - I totally understand where you are coming from, I hadn't really considered the issue from the "other side of the fence". I'm sure some of these factors are affecting their price estimate to me. Not that I like it, but I understand.

Troy

In the next week or so, Dan and I are going to do the brakes, rotors and ss lines as well as the CV joints on our cars. We could maybe do yours after we get done. We will be practiced up by then. Or, we could do yours first - oh, never mind. LOL

I don't know if you are in a real rush or not. I can discuss this with you a little more if you are interested. :)

Yeah that sounds good Earl. I studied up on this a while back planning to do it myself but the biggest fear is just having never touched brakes before and only having one set of hands. I'll email ya.... :)