You see the ads all over the place—Brake Jobs $99. You’re probably wondering how a shop can do the job for such a low price. Or maybe you’re wondering if you should trust your family’s safety to a bargain basement brake job. Stop wondering. By the time you finish this article, you’ll know everything you need to shop for a quality brake job. We’ll show you the difference between real premium brake parts and economy brake parts disguised as the real thing. You’ll learn the difference between a faulty caliper and one that just needs a little grease. Finally, we’ll give you some maintenance tips that can save you a small fortune on future brake repairs.
Bait and up-sell
Can a shop really do a top-notch brake job for just $99? Not really. A $99 brake job “special” is usually a “come-on”—a way to get you in the door. It’s not really bait-and-switch because you do actually get new brake pads installed for $99. But once the wheels are off your vehicle, you can be sure they’ll find extra parts that “need replacing.” When all is said and done, that $99 brake job will probably cost you about $500. Sure, you’ll get a “lifetime” warranty. But two years from now you’ll be back for warranty work, and that will cost you another $250. That’s when you discover a quality brake job is all about parts quality (or lack of it).
All brake parts are not created equal
Brake parts on new cars have to meet minimum federal safety standards. So do the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brake parts sold through dealers. Most consumers are shocked when they discover those same safety standards don’t apply the brake parts sold by wholesale and retail parts stores. Those brake parts don’t have to meet ANY standards. None. Nadda. That means any manufacturer can make a low quality part and label it as a “premium” brake part.
Quality brake pads stop you on a dime. But quality pads cost a lot of money. Repair shops can buy “no-name” brake pads for as little as $15/set. They come in a box labeled “premium quality,” so legally they’re not misrepresenting anything when they tell you they’re installing premium parts. But how much quality can a manufacturer put into a set of pads that wholesale for $15 (retail price $27.10)? I’ll let you be the judge. Here’s an actual comparison of four brands of brake pads for a 1999 Ford Taurus. Keep in mind that the retail price of genuine (OEM) Ford brake pads is $89.98.
Quality pads also include noise reducing shims. If the shop quotes you an additional price for shims, sometimes as high as $29/set, that’s additional proof that you’re not getting true premium pads.
Economy brake pads don’t dissipate heat very well and excessive heat buildup is the enemy of good braking. It increases stopping distance, wears out rotors, and reduces pad life. It can even warp the rotor. Because of premature wear, the shops that install these economy pads know you’ll be back in about 20,000 miles for more brake work. Sure, you’ll get a new set of economy pads for free because of the lifetime warranty (their cost $15). But you’ll have to pay for the labor AND a new set of rotors—the rotors aren’t covered by the lifetime warranty. Of course, you’ll pay the full retail price for the rotors. Cost of this second brake job? Around $250. See you in another 20,000 miles.