Alright... ford was going to charge me $150 to change my front brakes....only? and it would take 1 1/2 so does something sound fishy? I changed them in 30mins & for $40?

 

Ford Dealers seem to charge more for repairs then regular shops.
I take my car in for regular service and warrenty work, but when it comes to repairs like brakes I'll take it someplace else.
I assume that you changed the brakes yourself? If that's the case then all you had to pay was for the parts and not the labor a mechanic would have charged you. Regarding the time it took you to change the brakes (30 min) -vs- Ford (1.5 hours) I would guess the book says it takes 1.5 hours so that's what Ford charges for.

 

Not that it makes it right or that it accounts for the whole amount Ford was going to charge you but they were probably including pulling the rotors and having them resurfaced as well.

Doing all of that yourself adds more down time for the do-it-yourselfer and you need another car available to run you around for the rotor resurfacing. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be a proponent for the dealer shop...

 

what parts were included in the 150.00 price?? I think doing it your self is a lot less down time by far.

 

It's called salaries, overhead, certifications, etc., then profit. You need to remember that it's often, in this sales environment, service keeps the dealership's lights on. Add to that any work they do, unlike you or "Joe The Rag Man" comes with a warranty AND may effect and has to align with the manufacture's warranty. So you also are paying for that work as well as part of the margin the service strives to make on each job. It will always be cheaper to do it yourself just depends upon how skilled you are and how valuable your time is.

 

Well if the book says 1.5 hours and the shop rate is $100 per hour then it equals $150. Common practice regardless if you take it to a dealership or a local mechanic. Shop rates at $100 per hour in California are rare unless it's a smaller city like I live in. Most shops here charge between $75 to 90 per hour.

 

Shop time here is $90/ hour and it never takes them long, but book time is book time and they show you everything up front. As far as brakes, I've done mine twice now and when a car is new and clean, it's cake.

 

Firstly I'll say Ford Dealers really do rip you off on parts. $16 for a tube of touch up paint, $50 for 2 wiper blades....

On the brakes, if they're charging you $150, it would make sense. 1.5 hours labour plus their over inflated parts.

I'm not questioning your abilities, but 30 minutes to do brakes seems a little quick. Remember they count start to finish. 1.5 hours does not seem unreasonable to do a proper job. Inspect everything, clean everyting, lube sliders, install parts re & re wheels etc. The point I'm trying to make is, I wouldn't want anyone to rush a brake job. It's just not worth it.

In any event, if at all possible, never, ever take your car to the dealer for any service work (unless you have to for warrranty purposes). I've found for the most part a) they charge a premium and b) they.... how can I say this nicely.... I've always had better work performed elsewhere.


Hope this helps.


Mike

 

alrighty, now i'm ****ed turns out i had half my brakes left... thy lied to me & wanted the money!

 

I have a REALLY good racing dealer in my area where I get my work done. I trust these guys like no one else. The cars they race are top notch and they really know Mustangs. I honestly don't mind paying the premium given the avenues I have to resolve the problem at a dealer level should something ever go wrong. Maybe I'm stupid, but the peace of mind, to me is worth a few extra dollars.

 

You just NOW figured out you had half your brakes left? Are you sure you're up for changing brakes on your own?

 

150 seems resonable for a shop to do brakes.
We charge 82.50 labor(1hr) and whatever the list is on the pads
usually 60-90 bucks. Our cost is usually 1/2 that tho.

Wow, just checked the price of pads in motorcraft
BR1081 PAD 5U2Z2V001E list = 120.06 cost 53.58

Rotors
ROTOR ASY 5U2Z1V125U 120.87 53.94

 

Sounds like they simply quoted you their front brake job price and told you it would take an hour and a half or so. And I think it was a VERY fair price if you want ford pads.

Most dealers do not charge list on brake pads and labor to be competitive with the smaller shops. So most figure in the pad cost at their end and a little over an hour labor per axle.

Usually, with non-warrantee repairs, you pay list on the pads, which is 120, + labor. And I would say an hour to get the car in the bay and in the air, and do the brakes is about fair.

As someone who used to be heavily involved in a family auto repair/restoration buisiness. It is amazing how some people do not grasp the idea of overhead, or the notion of combined parts and labor quotes. If mechanics did not make money on parts, the labor rate would simply be higher.

 

No, you're not stupid at all. You are however fortunate to have a dealer that's involved and understands. Most everyone is not as fortunate.

I envy you.



Mike

 

everyone does understand this was only for the "FRONT" brakes not the rear. Those would need to be changed after a few more months.

 

How did you know your brakes needed changing? Did they squeek? I am curious, did you have the car in for service and they told you about the brakes, or did you tell them they needed to be changed.

 

Well for two days it felt as if it was rubbin metal to metal & the stopping was pitifull so while I was getting my oiled changed, i ask them to check them. They came an told me they were to be changed.

 

See I had the same kinda problem. I drive in L.A. traffic to and from work, and was getting a lot of brake fade. You kinda described it above. If you do a lot of stop and go driving new pads aren't going to help as much as new rotors. I have some slotted and drilled rotors installed, kept the same pads, and have not had the same issue. 100% improvement.

How do your brakes feel with the new pads? Better?

 

After Changing the brakes it seemed to stop better... their was a point it didn't feel like the front end was fallin down when you pressed the brakes...