thehueg

I own a 2008 C6 Coupe with Z51 package. The car has 55,000 miles and the front brakes are at .002 thickness. Rears are at .004. Both the local Chevrolet dealer, Valmark Chevrolet in New Braunfels, TX, and and independent we’ve worked with, Christian Bros., are quoting me $1,475. This includes front and rear rotors (drilled), pads, and labor. Does this seem “in the ballpark” cost-wise?

My son, who recently did the brakes on his Chevy Silverado, says we should do this ourselves. I’m mechanically inclined (tool salesman for Proto early in my career) but brakes are a critical safety issue and I don’t want to tackle something with life or death consequences if it’s a complex fix. Perhaps this is a straightforward job with YouTube guidance.

The days of $300 brake jobs are long gone and if the quotes I’ve received are reasonable, and I can’t save much doing it myself, I’ll pick one of these two to do the work. Appreciate suggestions.

919cw313

$1475 for a dealer charging list price for parts and $120+/- per labor hour is probably right. That said, you can probably buy the same parts online for $600 or less. It’s just a Chevy, DIY if you have the basic skills.

Corvette_Ed

Brakes are pretty simple. Just watch a YouTube video or two on the subject and you'll have no problem. Just make sure you have the right tools, etc. on hand.

jimijam

I agree. Hardest part is brake fluid flush, but that really isn't hard.

Oh Boy

The rotors are about $65 each and the pads front and rear total about $425-$460. Labor maybe 1-1/2 hours. You do the math. These brakes are really easy to do.

cmonkey713

Easy DIY project. You could also use this for an excuse to upgrade the rotors and pads.

meadowz06

I do my own. Simple. Get some premium ceramic pads. Make sure and put the pad lube on back of the pads. For all 4, 160.00 bucks. If your rotors are not warped, you don’t need rotors. The pads are not 400.00! Not even close.

Mike's LS3

The Z51 pads are known to eat rotors pretty good so replace both pads and rotors. Swipe your finger across the disc surface and you will feel a lip at the edge of the disc. Amazon has oem pads and rotors at a good price. Buy a quart of Dot 4 brake fluid and brake squeal grease. I use the brake squeal grease on the back of the pads, clips and pins. Remove brake fluid from reservoir and replace with fresh brake fluid, then bleed the brakes.

Oh Boy

The op said he went to the dealership, that means the price he was quoted includes oem pads. Where not talking auto zone stuff here. However I got them mixed up, the fronts are GM# 19152862 and cost $132.00 the rears are GM# 89026853 and cost $125.00 So that is $250 for the pads which makes the dealership really look like crooks

oemtech

Try Brake Performance....

thehueg

I note some videos recommend greasing some pins? What grease? Also, recommendations on parts brands?

Plan C

For brake/caliper grease, I've had great results with Sil-glyde but there a a ton of similar products. I've found Amazon's pricing on Delco rotors to be excellent and to meet my needs, but I know many that have strong aftermarket preferences. You can do this!

KNSBrakes

You should grease the slide pins and inspect the pin boots for cracks/wear. There are aftermarket kits to replace them if needed but the OEM stuff is always much better quality hardware.

There are a variety of pad and rotor options but choose your pads carefully. If you like the hard stopping OEM Z%! pads the ceramic parts store stuff may be a let down.

Some packages here

https://knsbrakes.com/c/car-items/16...te+Z51+Package

919cw313

Me too.

meadowz06

Great, and still overpriced. Autozone, advanced auto, rock auto, etc, all have great premium pads. WAY CHEAPER than OEM, and just as good, if not better.

Jeff T.

I've never heard a complaint about these. Coming from a C5 plenty used them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rear-...ss!60005!US!-1

Oh Boy

Why do you keep butting heads with me. Can't you see the point I am making is that the dealer is robbing him and I am breaking down the cost just to show the op. I know the pads are overpriced, I never told the op to buy them, just showing him the cost structure of the individual components as to the final total of the dealership price.

Oh Boy

I have used that company on numerous cars and never a problem.

skar

[QUOTE=thehueg;1599221867]I own a 2008 C6 Coupe with Z51 package. The car has 55,000 miles and the front brakes are at .002 thickness. Rears are at .004. Both the local Chevrolet dealer, Valmark Chevrolet in New Braunfels, TX, and and independent we’ve worked with, Christian Bros., are quoting me $1,475. This includes front and rear rotors (drilled), pads, and labor. Does this seem “in the ballpark” cost-wise?


.002 and .004 thickness ? What does that mean .
.004 is less or same as the hair on your head .
sorry I must be missing something.

oemtech

Brake Performance has 4 dimpled/slotted rotors & semi metallic pads shipped free and Lifetime Warranty for $484.

Hell give me $200 for labir and I will do them. Drive to my place in Jarrell, Tx a WE can them for free.