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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:17:39 PM EDT
Took an old buddy of mine to get his car fixed, he’s kinda a retired hermit type (but a cool hermit type, he’s a former state pistol champ and flies model airplanes as his only social outlet) and keeps an ancient Crown Vic he’s had since new.
The battery was giving him fits last year so I helped him get another this spring and noticed his terminals were corroded and the positive side was partially dissolved from lot-rot as he doesn’t drive it much. He was adamant that he was ok to clean up the connectors and tighten them down, so I left him to his devices. Fast forward a month and he’s calling this week me to help him out again because his “cheap Chinese battery took a shit on him!”…. I cleaned his terminals and tightened them as best I could and checked the battery voltage….. 12.67v… it fired right up. He had made arrangements to take it straight to the shop after “I jumped it for him” to get brakes, a front end, and to advise on the battery connections vs. just new cables…… Holy Fuck. They want more than $3,000! For a brake job amd suspension!! I had no idea I was this out of synch with the times, for me, $2k would have been a lot-and thank goodness I told my buddy I would change his alternator if he needed one or he may have asked for that too.. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:19:13 PM EDT
[#1]
Everything costs more my guy.
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OH, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:25:18 PM EDT
[#2]
Dang OP, just a replacement set of tires for my truck is 2k.
Everything cost more in clown world sir. |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:25:41 PM EDT
[#3]
And we ain't seen nothing yet.
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:29:36 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Dogstar: And we ain't seen nothing yet. But it's coming... |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:31:08 PM EDT
[#5]
A fucking fast food kid's meal costs $8 these days. What do you think that means for auto repair work?
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TN, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:34:45 PM EDT
[Last Edit: m411b30]
[#6]
Find a little shop and ask for a price. I see regular $1300 quotes for just brakes from Firestone. My shop will cost you $280+ tax for one side or the other. $560+ tax for both sides.
A home town shop that has been around for 50 or 60 years is what you seek. ETA: For a complete front end suspension package and brakes on both sides you'd be looking at $1300-$1600. Frost Alignment, Clarksville TN.. |
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CA, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:36:49 PM EDT
[#7]
wait until you see body/paint prices. boomers are the worst at this and still keep talking about stupid fucking earl schwab
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WV, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:37:53 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By m411b30: Find a little shop and ask for a price. I see regular $1300 quotes for just brakes from Firestone. My shop will cost you $280+ tax for one side or the other. $560+ tax for both sides. A home town shop that has been around for 50 or 60 years is what you seek. ETA: For a complete front end suspension package and brakes on both sides you'd be looking at $1300-$1500... 
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TN, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:39:49 PM EDT
[Last Edit: m411b30]
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ChuckD05: Local place here is $140/axle +tax for just pads. Hell I thought that was high We don't pad slap anything. New rotors and pads for everything. Premium. Just replacing pads is the wrong way. Unless they are also turning the rotors. Which I highly doubt. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:41:37 PM EDT
[#10]
Old Crown Vic is still very DIY friendly.
Now you need a Bachelors in Computer Science with a minor in Electrical Engineering, just to diagnose. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:45:26 PM EDT
[#11]
"Front suspension" could mean a lot of things.
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PA, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:46:43 PM EDT
[Last Edit: bikerzed]
[#12]
Define the model year of "ancient" and list what is included in "brake and suspension job". And in what condition is the car? Way too many variables here. That might be the deal of the century. Or highway robbery.
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SD, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:47:01 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jackthom8: wait until you see body/paint prices. boomers are the worst at this and still keep talking about stupid fucking earl schwab *rolls in with a $80,000 suv that is borderline total* "What do you mean you can't fix it for $500?" |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:49:19 PM EDT
[#14]
My work pickup just had brake pads installed, I think the shop charged $650-ish. For brake pads.
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CA, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:57:26 PM EDT
[#15]
Don't any of you ladies husbands know how to work on cars?
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:57:39 PM EDT
[#16]
2015 Mustang GT. A/C compressor shit the bed last week. $1800 at the dealership. Not a whole lot of other choices in my area.
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Posted: 5/3/2024 8:59:32 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jackthom8: wait until you see body/paint prices. boomers are the worst at this and still keep talking about stupid fucking earl schwab If fucking millenials and zoomers would quit electing communists maybe the sticker shock wouldn't be so bad for the grownups. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:00:41 PM EDT
[#18]
We charge right at $480.00 for pads,rotors and labor for most FWD vehicles and 1/2 ton trucks with sealed bearings. 3/4 and 1 tons or packable bearings gets closer to $600.00 or more depending on the vehicle.
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USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:04:32 PM EDT
[#19]
Just did spark plugs on a late model Jag V8. I think the total was over $1100 to the client.
Our labor rate is $192 from $120 in 2019. I believe the dealers for highline(what I specialize in), are 300/hr. People are refusing to pay new car prices and paying whatever it costs to keep their current vehicle running. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:08:53 PM EDT
[Last Edit: FreefallRet]
[#20]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ChuckD05: Local place here is $140/axle +tax for just pads. Hell I thought that was high I make my kids change their own brakes and rotors. $140 a axle is nuts.  My new Tacoma, rotors are $70 each and pads $60, luckily the rear brakes are drums that last for years. Easy afternoon job  Toyota Tacoma Brake Pad Replacement IN LESS THAN 2 MINUTES! |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:10:55 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By McGuy: If fucking millenials and zoomers would quit electing communists maybe the sticker shock wouldn't be so bad for the grownups. Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By McGuy: Originally Posted By jackthom8: wait until you see body/paint prices. boomers are the worst at this and still keep talking about stupid fucking earl schwab If fucking millenials and zoomers would quit electing communists maybe the sticker shock wouldn't be so bad for the grownups.  Attached File |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:19:32 PM EDT
[#22]
Akebono for pads
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:23:35 PM EDT
[#23]
Without a detailed estimate it’s impossible to have an opinion on this…
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:25:55 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By smarquez: Don't any of you ladies husbands know how to work on cars? Get back to us on how much even the parts cost, Mr. Goodwrench. |
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AL, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:37:10 PM EDT
[#25]
Just did this on a couple of my vehicles. I've always worked on my own shit, and current prices make me glad I can still do the work...
In the process of doing brakes (pads and rotors), rear shocks, loaded struts, NGK plugs, drive belt... on a 2011 Charger. $672 shipped from Rockauto for mid-grade or better parts, + plus a couple weekends of my time (I'm old and slow) 2018 Nissan Frontier, rotors and pads, NGK plugs, drive belt and tensioner, plenum gaskets.. about $390 |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:40:09 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DayandNight1701: Just did spark plugs on a late model Jag V8. I think the total was over $1100 to the client. Our labor rate is $192 from $120 in 2019. I believe the dealers for highline(what I specialize in), are 300/hr. People are refusing to pay new car prices and paying whatever it costs to keep their current vehicle running. And thus repair costs go up. Capitalism. |
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PA, USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:42:24 PM EDT
[#27]
For and older car, $40ish for a set of front pads & around $60 a rotor. $20 for misc fluid, cleaner & grease.
Chances are, since it's sits a lot and doesn't sound well maintained, there is going to be more that'll need changed or replaced. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:43:43 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Dale007]
[#28]
Haha I do the brake pads on my truck for about 50 bucks an hour's worth of time. Brake jobs are the biggest freaking rip off at mechanics.
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USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:45:39 PM EDT
[#29]
Get a local mobile mechanic. You can find them on Facebook or nextdoor
$200 labor for rotors and pads. Front. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 9:47:29 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By m411b30: Find a little shop and ask for a price. I see regular $1300 quotes for just brakes from Firestone. My shop will cost you $280+ tax for one side or the other. $560+ tax for both sides. A home town shop that has been around for 50 or 60 years is what you seek. ETA: For a complete front end suspension package and brakes on both sides you'd be looking at $1300-$1600. Frost Alignment, Clarksville TN.. I’ve NEVER paid for a satisfactory brake job |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 10:20:31 PM EDT
[#31]
Manufacturers are making usually individual parts into units. Recently replaced a clutch that was a complete unit. Flywheel, clutch cover and disc all riveted together, wasn't cheap.
Brakes are a problem for most shops. In ours it has the highest return of any repair. Noise, shaking and excessive wear. We can't do any shortcuts. Pad slaps are gone today. Systems are just heavy enough to get by. Resurface a rotor vehicle will likely be back in a month even when everything is within specs. Front end repairs run from a simple tie rod to every moving part needing replacement. Cost depends on what style the suspension is and how many parts are needed. Then the minimum age and loaded employee cost needs to be paid by someone. If an entry level know nothing employee gets $20 an hour the senior one with 25 years' experience also wants more money. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 10:40:04 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By :Old Crown Vic is still very DIY friendly. Now you need a Bachelors in Computer Science with a minor in Electrical Engineering, just to diagnose. It is, but I don’t have the time to fix my shit and his or I would do the front end myself-well, that and losing everything in a house fire means I don’t have my tools. Yeah, I was just looking at the component layout in the engine bay and was tearfully reminiscing about cars made in the 80’s. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 10:42:19 PM EDT
[#33]
I just dropped 3300 on new front pads and rotors, new brake lines, cv axle, and valve gasket....Fucked up my plans.
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Posted: 5/3/2024 10:44:23 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By bikerzed: Define the model year of "ancient" and list what is included in "brake and suspension job". And in what condition is the car? Way too many variables here. That might be the deal of the century. Or highway robbery. Well, they had not even looked out the window at any point in the word order, so they definitely saw one coming. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 10:45:41 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By smarquez: Don't any of you ladies husbands know how to work on cars? The dude is 74 year old Vietnam Veteran and has a bad back. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 10:48:05 PM EDT
[Last Edit: prebans]
[#36]
I just spent a couple weeks wrenching on the girlfriend’s car while she’s recovering from surgery.
New radiator, hoses, mounts, and coolant. New front brake pads and shoes, rotors, calipers, brake fluid, struts, and tie rod ends. New serpentine belt. Rotate tires. I outsourced tire balancing and alignment to a shop with the right equipment. Estimates for everything ranged from $5,800 to over $7,000. I think I spent $1,300-1,400 in parts and labor. |
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Posted: 5/3/2024 10:56:45 PM EDT
[#37]
Thank God I can work on cars, fix almost anything around the house, software dev, electrical most things, fly a plane, speak multiple languages...huh...I'm actually probably the most interesting man in the world.
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USA
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Posted: 5/3/2024 11:11:04 PM EDT
[#38]
I've got seven tagged autos. No way I'd keep my rag tag fleet going if they had to go to a shop, and no way would I get the next turd back on the road.
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Posted: 5/3/2024 11:53:14 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By NwG: Without a detailed estimate it’s impossible to have an opinion on this… 
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Posted: 5/4/2024 12:02:54 AM EDT
[#40]
My wife broke my old truck last week and I'm incapacitated by osteoarthritis at the moment, so I'm about to get a hard fucking in that regard.
Oh well. That's one of the many reasons why you save money for old age. I'd rather fix it myself, but I'm not going to worry about it. |
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Posted: 5/4/2024 12:09:15 AM EDT
[#41]
I changed my rear pads a few months ago. Stuff like that, that is easy to DIY is a no-brainer. Shops charging that much are charging a stupid tax. The only people who should pay that are folks who make more money in a couple of hours than what the shop charges.
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WA, USA
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Posted: 5/4/2024 12:20:30 AM EDT
[#42]
My 03 rangers 4.0 sohc finally died a 270k. I found a used 4.0 with 74k for 1900.00 compression checked w/ 90 day warranty. A local shop installed the thing for 1500.00 plus taxes. The thing runs great again, was definitely pleasantly surprised by the total cost. There are good local mechanics out there that need your business
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VA, USA
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Posted: 5/4/2024 12:32:31 AM EDT
[#43]
I recently put $4k into my 2005 GMC Canyon. Massive electrical issues. Replaced the Body Control Module, the Body Control Module Cable, the Instrument Cluster (twice), the Engine Control Module, the battery & cables, and some miscellaneous stuff to get it through inspection. It took a while to get it fixed because the dealer was ordering parts through EBay.
 I had just dumped $$$ into it the prior year for brakes all around (frozen calipers, scored rotors, shot pads) and front end work to pass inspection.I looked at used trucks before putting more money into it. A later model (and nicer) truck with more miles on it than my Canyon (north of 125,000) was $25k. So I spent the money to get mine back on the road. It's mostly a farm truck. |
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VA, USA
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Posted: 5/4/2024 12:35:00 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Waldo: My wife broke my old truck last week and I'm incapacitated by osteoarthritis at the moment, so I'm about to get a hard fucking in that regard. Oh well. That's one of the many reasons why you save money for old age. I'd rather fix it myself, but I'm not going to worry about it. I figured that I've saved plenty of money by my own sweat, many times out of necessity. I don't |
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Posted: 5/4/2024 12:36:31 AM EDT
[#45]
*Laughs in network diag*
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Posted: 5/4/2024 12:37:42 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Waldo: My wife broke my old truck last week and I'm incapacitated by osteoarthritis at the moment, so I'm about to get a hard fucking in that regard. Oh well. That's one of the many reasons why you save money for old age. I'd rather fix it myself, but I'm not going to worry about it. Osteoarthritis is an issue now for me too. I'm a little young for it. Definitely makes working on shit harder.... |
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MT, USA
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Posted: 5/4/2024 1:47:26 AM EDT
[#47]
Daughter hit a deer in her 2023 Honda Pilot at highway speed. Doesnt look great but not like a head on either. Estimate is $22k and climbing.
Likely a total loss. |
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Posted: 5/4/2024 1:52:08 AM EDT
[#48]
I just installed a 3.5” lift kit on my son’s Tacoma. New coil overs, the whole nine yards. Wonder how much I saved him? I told him prob $1200 but damn you guys have me wondering how much my skills be worth
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Posted: 5/4/2024 1:56:12 AM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Finslayer83: Akebono for pads Just used a set of Akebono ceramic pads for my 2001 RAV4. As a former Lexus technician, I was going to buy the Toyota pads but christ they wanted like $130 my price for JUST pads. for $140 I got the Akebono pads and 2 front rotors from Amazon. Ill say, the pad material is excellent. The backing plate was painfully obviously a multi fit design. I had to file the tabs to get them to fit and move in the caliper clips. definitely had minimal contact in the bracket and frankly disappointed considering that Akebone and Advics are partially owned by Toyota. Next time, Ill just pony up for the Toyota pads and shims. |
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Posted: 5/4/2024 8:51:00 AM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Jambalaya: I changed my rear pads a few months ago. Stuff like that, that is easy to DIY is a no-brainer. Shops charging that much are charging a stupid tax. The only people who should pay that are folks who make more money in a couple of hours than what the shop charges. My 'FORMER' mechanic used to hit me up for rear brake pads on my old van for around $125 every 30,000 miles or so. Not bad for $20 worth of parts and about 15 minutes of time. The pads weren't even worn out either. I had close to 75k on a set he put on before I changed them. 
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