LT1SPUD

Had the brakes done on my 96 LT1 this Saturday at the local MIDAS shop...co-workers said they did good work...well, the work was ok, but the parts prices were outrageous!!!! Original phone conversation with them put the job at around $260-$280....after pulling the tires and inspection, it was obvious two rotors (LF & LR) would need replacement..the other two could be turned...but get this:

front pads: $180.00
rear pads: $105.00
front rotor: $115.00
rear rotor: $175.00
rotors turned: $15.00 ea.

out the door for $692.00

called the local parts stores later and every one of them were at least 50% cheaper on pads & rotors....

phoned MIDAS this morning and told them about their "gold plated" prices and they said, "that's what the computer tells us to charge and that's what we charge" period!!!!!!!!!!!

wish i was more mechanical minded...it would have saved me a good $300 !!! if you can do it yourself, go for it!!!!!!!!!

cv67

Don't feel bad. I got nailed for 1200 smackers on a 480 quote years ago. That was for brakes and shocks on a beater Toyota p/u! Took me awhile before I could walk straight if ya know what I mean

IBEAM700

Purchase a factory service manual, and start reading. You could have a saved a lot doing it yourself.

MinnesotaWhite

We did two Vettes in my garage a month or so ago, here is what it ran:

Front Pads: $60 (GM)
Rear: $45 (GM)
Front Rotors: $50/each (GM)
Rear Rotors: $65/each (GM)
New caliper pins (4): $20 (GM)

So...a car with new rotors and pads ran $350 (you should replace the pins and bolts when doing a brake job as they could be getting weak from the heat stress). 45mins/wheel of $80/hr shop time $240 so that's $590...not that "gold plated".

The only thing that disturbs me, they turned one side of the car and put new disks on the other side?? Tell me that's not true! You always replace disks in pairs...

kwik_ta

typical maintanence like this are rather easy to do if you can think analytically. Most repairs can be done with simple common hand tools and can save a ton of $$$. Plus you have the added knowledge and benefit to be able to know what you are doing!!!

383 Stroker

But aren't you covered now for the life of your vehicle. If my memory serves me correctly, that's what the recent commercial out there states. If it's true, you should never have to pay for brake service again.

LT1SPUD

yep, turned right side rotors...replaced left side.........

LT1SPUD

..lifetime warranty covers pads only, labor is extra....

IBEAM700

I always wanted to take my Vette in just to see em go when they try to put C4 pads in C5 calipers

John Robinson

My father had a 1960 vette. that he had midas put the exhaust on with a lifetime warranty.

I believe he had a new muffler installed about every 6 months after that because as you may remember they were angled back and the moisture rusted the ends out of them. Since my father drove the car 250,000 miles until he died in 1976. It got to the place where midas was almost begging him to sell the car. I think he kept it just to anoy them. My advice to you is do the same thing on your brake job. Paybacks are H---. But in the future do as others have suggested and get a manual and read it and read it and then get brave and pickup a wrench and get the feeling off having done it yourself.

1quik91

That's how they warranty the work for as long as you own the car, you pay in advance for the next set.

n1kki6

are you kidding

n1kki6

On ething i have learned is never do or have something done to your car without asking the forum first, people will always give you options and opinions you would have never thought of.

MinnesotaWhite

So...if you are going fast and brake hard a couple of times...how does it feel? Notice anything?

pettvette

GM J55 rotors for $50 each??? Please tell me where to get them...

LT1SPUD

nope....it seems to track straight and true when applying the brakes..no pull to either side...am i looking at trouble down the road though???

LT1SPUD

..do you order the service manual direct from GM? what's the price tag??

65Z01

Sorry to hear about that bad deal you got; hope the brake job holds up well.

Even just taking that $300 you would have saved you could have picked up a GM Shop manual, a nice Sears tool set and a good torque wrench for the same money. And you would have then had the job done right, the manual & tools and the experience. It's something to think about the next time a R&R comes up.

When you think of the $75 shop flat rates & jobber's mark up on parts it really pays to do your own work if you do or think you would like to learn to turn wrenches on your Vette. And you have the Forum should you need any help.

n1kki6

I dunno about all that, but for the price they charge i was assuming it was for both sides.

MinnesotaWhite

I'll have to ask...I thought he ended up getting them from partsdirect but from your reaction I'd guess not (have you checked?).