Quick price check...sort of

[SixTwoSix]

Just taken my car into the garage due to a few problems with the steering/braking.

They've told and shown me that one of my pads is sticking to the disk, "bound/binding" they described it as.

I've been quoted for replacement pads, disks and calipers on both front wheels, what would you guys reckon is a fair price for this with labour included?

 

[Amos91]

What car?

 

[Gribs]

Depends on the car. Brake international - http://brakeparts.co.uk/ will give you an idea of parts prices but for a mainstream hatch you'd be looking at roughly £200 in parts and then a few hours labour so about £350 all in seems about right.

 

[Confused]

This could simply be that a pad is getting slightly caught on one of the metal shims that it slides on, and can be resolved in 15 minutes by cleaning up the edges of the pad and applying some new copper grease.

Or, it could be more than this - I'd certainly be getting a second opinion before having your whole braking system replaced.

 

[SixTwoSix]

Forgot to mention it's a 2001 focus, nothing special.

He mentioned something about a rubber gator (sp?) being split and therefore water getting inside which could have caused this.

Or, it could be more than this - I'd certainly be getting a second opinion before having your whole braking system replaced.

These guys are fairly trustworthy, I have a history with them where they've saved me a lot of money in the past. A few folks I know use them as well and have similar experiences..

 

[Maccapacca]

There's no need to replace both calipers as a pair, they don't wear or perform any different from new > old, unless one's binding and the other is perished and just hasn't bound yet, calipers can be quite expensive but really are an easy job, should be no more than an hour to do both sides if they have a ramp and are just whipping the lot off and replacing with new, no real bleeding involved just mole grip the flexi hose and change the caliper then pump and release the pedal / nipple till decent air free fluid comes out.

Remember they will get a refund on the calipers as they are refurbished items so check you are getting the refund.

Are you capable of this yourself? it's an easy short Saturday morning work plodding along with a cup of tea.

 

[Dogbreath]

If the piston has corroded and is causing the binding, reconditioned calipers are probably your best bet. However, if it's just the caliper sliders that are sticking then a recon caliper is overkill - they can most always be cleaned up and lubricated to restore normal operation.

 

[rodenal]

He may be talking about the outer dust shield at the piston though,if that's away then really you need a refurb kit or new caliper. On anything other than 4pots+ I'd get a new or reconditioned tbh.

But, as above you need to know what the actual issue is, I would t replace both - no point

 

[s0ck]

These guys are fairly trustworthy, I have a history with them where they've saved me a lot of money in the past. A few folks I know use them as well and have similar experiences..

So just pay?


You can enter your reg number on eurocarparts and see what the cost of two discs and two pads are. The pads are priced per axle, so don't add two!

I would hazard a guess at 75 quid plus whatever the caliper (singular) costs you. Another 75 quid, let's say.
Two hours labour absolute tops at, roughly, 55+VAT.

So £264 - 300 quid all in.

Unless there is some kind of known fault with 2001 focuses binding both fronts?

With regard to DIYing the caliper stuff my advice would be don't bother.
It will end in swearing and tears and you doing an exchange on it anyway

 

[MissChief]

Surely if one side of the brakes is binding the car would be pulling horrendously to that side, the brakes and/or wheel would be getting very hot indeed when driving anywhere and the fuel economy would be in the toilet by now?

 

[SixTwoSix]

Are you capable of this yourself? it's an easy short Saturday morning work plodding along with a cup of tea.

I may be capable. not sure tbh, would rather leave it in the hands of folks who know what they're doing.

Surely if one side of the brakes is binding the car would be pulling horrendously to that side, the brakes and/or wheel would be getting very hot indeed when driving anywhere and the fuel economy would be in the toilet by now?

Yup, pulls to the side intermittently, get horrendous juddering on the steering on the motorway for a few miles, then it stops, comes back, stops...did 300 miles last week and this came and went for hours. Also my fuel consumption has gone down by 80 miles on my latest tank.

So just pay?

I will, just curious what folks though was a reasonable price. I'm quite happy now, I was quoted £224 all in with labour costs, should be done tomorrow and ready to pick up after work.