Price estimate on a SUV brake job?

Gardner

Gardner

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Anyone give a gestimate on a for wheel brake job, at a dealer.

Crossover SUV

Pads only

Thanks
 
2017 Buick Enclave

I'm seeing around $250 for parts + labor - Front only
 
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domestic dealer I’m at
2.0 hours per axle at $215.00 per hour
Includes rotor resurfacing
Pads average $120 per axle for oe parts
$45 in fees disposal shop supply etc
So $550 an axle plus $45 one time fees per visit
It’s expensive and I’m not defending it but that’s what it is
 
If you go not to a dealer, I just had the front end on a Tacoma done for $159. Pads only, no rotors turned.
 
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Is doing it yourself out of the question?

Pads for all four corners go for about $100 on rock auto. Thats for the higher end brands.

I would assume probably $250+ just for the parts if you choose to have a shop do it.
 
C-doodle said:
Is doing it yourself out of the question?

Pads for all four corners go for about $100 on rock auto. Thats for the higher end brands.

I would assume probably $250+ just for the parts if you choose to have a shop do it.
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Yes it is

Too old, drive slopes, not safe, no jack, no jack stands

And it's my wife's vehicle
 
2016 equinox was $800 at the dealer for pads and resurface rotors front and back. At local shop it was $400 just for comparison. Which i still thought both prices were high but the dealer was crazy high.
 
I would be somewhat surprised if a dealer would do pads only. Find an independent shop with a good reputation. Pads only should run around 200-225.
 
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Burt Gummer said:
I’m in the wrong business. I need to start doing brake jobs.
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No kidding

I just went on autozone and priced new rotors and brake pads for all 4 corners of his 2017 Buick enclave for right at $500.

Couple hours and they’d all be changed.

Use John’s discount and that $500 would be down to $400 or less.

Ridiculous that the price is that effing high at a shop.


Edit: pads only for front and back are $80.
 
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My price at O'Reilly is about $425 for pads and rotors for all 4 corners. Labor shouldn't be but about $200. I may be close enough to get the parts if you so desire.
 
Ordered brakes for the wifes Enclave on amazon not too long ago,
Bosh premium ceramic pads $40.01
AC Delco gold front rotors $65.40 each.

I have always tried to do the work myself. (I'm a cheapskate and kinda enjoy doing stuff like that once in a while)

Just as a price comparision.
 
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Here’s a price for all four corners of a Buick enclave using powerstop brakes. I’ve used them on several vehicles and love them. You get better rotors than parts house rotors.



Btw, I thought you weren’t supposed to change pads unless you had the rotors turned. Just repeating what I’ve always heard. I keep seeing folks mention new pads only and not having rotors turned. Is rotor turning still a thing? Do parts places still offer that as a service?
 
beamernc said:
The dealership will also come out with a list of other things that "need to be done" totaling about $3500.
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@beamernc This is so true. That service writer will be licking his/her chops for the pay day.

People prepare for the post covid, current Biden, dealership brake service cost. I would rather go to the dentist than deal with a dealer service department.
 
Burt Gummer said:
Here’s a price for all four corners of a Buick enclave using powerstop brakes. I’ve used them on several vehicles and love them. You get better rotors than parts house rotors.



Btw, I thought you weren’t supposed to change pads unless you had the rotors turned. Just repeating what I’ve always heard. I keep seeing folks mention new pads only and not having rotors turned. Is rotor turning still a thing? Do parts places still offer that as a service?
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With cost of parts, cost of labor, and how close to tolerance new parts are made, I don’t find it worth the effort to turn a rotor.
The last several times I tried, even with the rotor still in spec they ended up warping.
New rotors are usually only a couple bucks more than the labor cost to turn the old ones. Just in my experience
 
NC Boy Scout said:
With cost of parts, cost of labor, and how close to tolerance new parts are made, I don’t find it worth the effort to turn a rotor.
The last several times I tried, even with the rotor still in spec they ended up warping.
New rotors are usually only a couple bucks more than the labor cost to turn the old ones. Just in my experience
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Right. Which is why I was curious if folks still did it. And why folks were putting new pads on rotors that have wear on them. Seems counterproductive
 
Burt Gummer said:
Right. Which is why I was curious if folks still did it. And why folks were putting new pads on rotors that have wear on them. Seems counterproductive
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If there's no pulsing (vibrating) when braking then the rotors are fine. Pads should do it. Any vibration at all when braking then replace both pads and rotors. Even turning them only delays and they will warp quicker.

I do believe, without direct evidence, that evenly torqued lug nuts helps prevent rotor warping.
 
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I do a pad slap every other brake job. Last one was $1950 in parts alone. But 3 caliper slides were frozen. So I did all 4 calipers and brackets. Pads run $180 for all 4 corners. Rotors are $210 each.
Burt Gummer said:
Right. Which is why I was curious if folks still did it. And why folks were putting new pads on rotors that have wear on them. Seems counterproductive
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My rotors have enough meatl to turn 1x and still not worry about warpage.
 
I’ve replaced pads without turning rotors with no issue. Even had minor grooves in them. They will wear into it. Have also replaced rotors but I don’t have rotors turned.

I will not buy aftermarket pads. I have had issues and noise. Manufacturers match pads to the rotors. I don’t let the mechanic select the pads. It has never worked for me.
 
I stopped having the rotors turned years ago, drive to shop, wait my turn in line and spend money on lunch, get them and drive home. I get new coated rotors at rockauto about $25 each a bit more for an SUV. Wagner ceramic pads.

Rear calipers can be adjusted with a small cube tool that pops into a 3/8 ratchet or a kit for about $30 on Amazon. I have the kit. Do check manual forthe procedure to retract the piston and it disable the electronic parking brake.
 
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Burt Gummer said:
Here’s a price for all four corners of a Buick enclave using powerstop brakes. I’ve used them on several vehicles and love them. You get better rotors than parts house rotors.



Btw, I thought you weren’t supposed to change pads unless you had the rotors turned. Just repeating what I’ve always heard. I keep seeing folks mention new pads only and not having rotors turned. Is rotor turning still a thing? Do parts places still offer that as a service?
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Heat will cause the rotor to wear out of specs and warp, turning them can return them to specs. Hard aggressive braking, poor installation or letting the pads go past the useable thickness will cause the piston in the caliper to extend out further and pads will wear down to the metal back plate.
Max thickness is imprinted on the rotor, need a micrometer to check.
 
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Some cars and trucks required the rotor turned while on the car, the caliper is removed and a lathe is bolted in place to turn them. Saves labor to remove and reinstall the rotor.
 
OK...

Pads alone at AutoZone run in the $50 range for ceramic. So a little over $100 for pads, more if you get pricier ones.

That's with no rotor replacements. Rotors about $100 each, maybe a smidge more. Unless you want more expensive ones.

If you've not had a brake job on these rotors and you haven't had brake problems which lead you to believe they need changing (like worn down to metal on metal), then you might get buy with just a brake pad change. If the rotors are showing wear, however, I'd recommend changing them. (Unless they have enough metal on them to be turned and you've never had signs of a warped rotor.) Looks like your rotors don't have bearings in them, so they're easy-peasy to swap.

So $250 for pads on the front for someone else doing them is fairly reasonable.

If you want to do the job yourself, it's generally not all that involved or difficult. MOST brake jobs aren't too bad. Basic tools and a jack will get the job done. Just be sure you have everything you need before you start the job...or another vehicle to go get what you find out you need after you start!
 
When DIY, when pushing the piston back into the caliper, open the bleeder first to let the fluid out, otherwise you send dirty fluid into the lines, top off the master cylinder.
 
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Thanks for the replies and info. To be clear, she is not down to grinding backing on rotors.

I'm just looking for info so that I can make a better informed decision

And I am NOT doing this myself. It's been 25 yrs since I did a break job. Can I do it? Yes.

Will I do it? NO.
 
If you don't mind waiting. Rock Auto has some good deals if you Order Brakes and Rotors together

But if you just want quickness Local Auto Store (Auto Zone/Reilly) or Amazon. Just make sure to get the right one.

Try calling around your local Mechanic Shop and see how much it'll be for just labor 🤔.

I get my oil changed at this place for my Mercedes/BMW and it's $25 for labor and I bring the Oil+ filters.
 
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