GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I'm getting near to the point of needing some brake work on my '05 Vibe. The dealer quoted me $280 to do the front (complete), $280 for the rear (complete), which does not cover cost of new rotors (if needed). Cost of new rotors was estimated at between $100 and $150 each. These quotes include routine parts, I believe. This all seems kinda high.What has been your experience with such? Is the dealer charging a premium price? Thanks!

you can do a complete brake job yourself including rotors for about 200bucks **depending on the type of brake pad and rotor you buy**

Thanks. That gives me a better cost context. I'm not geared up, though, for DIY mode. There seems to be a huge markup for this kind of repair. What would be the typical pricing for an independent mechanic for this work? i.e., Cost of work (w/o rotors), and what the rotors might add to the price.

So...$560 for the front and backs and you don't even get new rotors? Personally, I would do it myself and save like $400. $280 for front and back with new rotors would be reasonable from a stealer.

Go to a few different shops and get quotes. Costs vary GREATLY it seems. If they are charging you almost 600 w/o the cost of parts, they must be buying you dinner right?

IT's almost $600 with parts (would include turning the rotors but not replacing the rotors). No dinner included, but price does include indigestion.I'm starting to get a confirmed sense the dealer cost is overmuch. Anyone reading this had brake repairs done by an independent mechanic? What was the cost?

Can't speak to your part of the country...why don't you just google some shops and give them a call?I see a Midas for you, The Brake Shop, Meineke, Muffler and Brake Shop, Anderson Tire and Brakes, etc...

Most independent shops have slightly lower rates but not enough to make a huge difference. You may save $100 or so in labor. Brake work has always been grossly overpriced in my opinion. If you don't feel comfortable doing the work yourself I would suggest finding an honest mechanic and paying for the labor or finding a friend who can do it for you. Your actual cost for pads, shoes, springs, turning the rotors and drums should be around $150 without labor. Do you have any mechanically inclined friends?

The dealer indicated it would take 2+ hours for front and same for rear - does this seem correct? (I think actual # was in range of 2.25 hrs per)In any event, I'm going to want to go with a pro mechanic to do this (none of my friends are much into working on cars).

2 hours for the front and 2 hours for the rear? It will take no where near that long to do. Unless turning the rotors is some sort of huge ordeal. Sounds like a big rip off. I'm not that good at working on cars, but I do my own brakes to save money. They could probably do the entire car in about an hour.

If i lived closer, I'd do it for about $50 labor. And parts would cheap also. i doubt if you need rotor, also. It's really not that big of a deal.

Well, this is all very helpful. I think the dealer is overpriced, to put it kindly. I now have a sense of what the range of cost ought to be.

WOW man, talk about getting bent over the counter... Dude, do the work yourself... It can't get much easier than this... http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=30457As far as the rear brakes, drums require VERY little mantainence, a good blow from an air compressor and some brake grease on an "acid" brush (little silver/chrome stiff bristle brushes, usually found in the plumbing isle of a home depot, used for flux) and get some on the shoes resting points and you're golden... My 03' just did another full brake job, no pads/shoes again this time, including turning the rotors and drums and it was a BREEZE, the shoes for the drums almost NEVER need replacing... It's got 50k on it and nothing has been replaced yet...

Quote, originally posted by DrummerCT »The dealer indicated it would take 2+ hours for front and same for rear - does this seem correct? (I think actual # was in range of 2.25 hrs per)There is no way in #$%! it would take a dealer 2 hours to do those front brakes. I think we spent 90 minutes tops (probably less) changing both pads and rotors in my garage, and we probably spent 15 of that trying to get the old rotors off. I had my father-in-law helping because I hadn't touched brakes in many years, which probably slowed us down a bit too. I think I spent around $250 for parts which would blow away what a shop would have put on.

My brakes after like 50k miles were still fine..but I did the fronts anyway. I think I spent maybe $150 on all the parts, I didnt get "performance" ones just oem spec parts. with a DIY guide you can do it, otherwise go see what a nondealer mechanic will charge you or a brake shop to compare pricing.