Cost to replace all four rotors and brake pads with brake fluid replacement?

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casewindow

310 posts

Ultimate Geek

#306281 10-Jul-2023 13:56

I am being quoted $1400 to replace all four rotors and brake pads and do a brake bleed on a mid-2000s Ford Focus.

Does this seem a bit high?

$650 to do the front rotors and brake pads

$600 do to the rear rotors and brake pads

$150 for the brake fluid replacement.

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#3102146 10-Jul-2023 14:36

A couple of questions for you to ask them to wiggle the price around:

Are they replacing or is resurfacing an option?
Are the rotors new or are they able to source second hand parts?

For the brake fluid replacement, $150 sounds about right.

cruxis

480 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3102192 10-Jul-2023 14:40

Can you pop down to supercheap buy the parts and replace the rotors and pads yourself? It not a too hard of a job, then take it in for the bleed.

gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#3102197 10-Jul-2023 14:50

casewindow:

I am being quoted $1400 to replace all four rotors and brake pads and do a brake bleed on a mid-2000s Ford Focus.

Does this seem a bit high?

$650 to do the front rotors and brake pads

$600 do to the rear rotors and brake pads

$150 for the brake fluid replacement.

That price isn't wildly inflated, but is it all necessary? Rear rotors? I've never had to do them even on 20+ year old cars. Brake fluid replacement? Have you been taking it to track days?

MikeAqua

7773 posts

Uber Geek

#3102204 10-Jul-2023 15:16

cruxis:

Can you pop down to supercheap buy the parts and replace the rotors and pads yourself? It not a too hard of a job, then take it in for the bleed.

+1 for this. Also, you can buy brake bleed kits that make bleeding the brakes a very easy job, too.

Mike

Handsomedan

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#3102205 10-Jul-2023 15:17

That sounds like the price I paid to have my rotors done on my Volvo. And that was just the front.

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Bung

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#3102291 10-Jul-2023 16:18

gbwelly:
That price isn't wildly inflated, but is it all necessary? Rear rotors? I've never had to do them even on 20+ year old cars. Brake fluid replacement? Have you been taking it to track days?

Our 2008 car by 2019 had had one front skim and new front rotors by 2019. Brake fluid had been replaced every 2 - 3 yrs. It only took about 1l of fluid more than just bleeding. 1996 car that didn't get regular changes had a lot of brake cylinder corrosion.

Price looks like it's out of a book for 3 things, front, back and fluid change rather than a quote for all at once. In Wgtn I used a brake specialist rather than garage or dealer as they were faster, more practised at the job if I wasn't doing it myself. If you haven't had prior experience I don't think brakes are where you start diy.

casewindow

310 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3102295 10-Jul-2023 16:23

tehgerbil:

A couple of questions for you to ask them to wiggle the price around:

Are they replacing or is resurfacing an option?
Are the rotors new or are they able to source second hand parts?

For the brake fluid replacement, $150 sounds about right.

They've said they can drop the price by $200 by doing a front rotor skim.

They said the back rotors are too rusted to be skimmed and won't pass a warrant in the state they are in.

New parts I believe - I'll ask about second hand options

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casewindow

310 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3102297 10-Jul-2023 16:24

gbwelly:

casewindow:

I am being quoted $1400 to replace all four rotors and brake pads and do a brake bleed on a mid-2000s Ford Focus.

Does this seem a bit high?

$650 to do the front rotors and brake pads

$600 do to the rear rotors and brake pads

$150 for the brake fluid replacement.

That price isn't wildly inflated, but is it all necessary? Rear rotors? I've never had to do them even on 20+ year old cars. Brake fluid replacement? Have you been taking it to track days?

They said the rear rotors are too rusted to pass a warrant.

They said the brake fluid is recommended after changing all four brakes - but not mandatory. I might skip this if the advice is it isn't needed?

casewindow

310 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3102299 10-Jul-2023 16:25

Bung:
gbwelly:

That price isn't wildly inflated, but is it all necessary? Rear rotors? I've never had to do them even on 20+ year old cars. Brake fluid replacement? Have you been taking it to track days?

Our 2008 car by 2019 had had one front skim and new front rotors by 2019. Brake fluid had been replaced every 2 - 3 yrs. It only took about 1l of fluid more than just bleeding. 1996 car that didn't get regular changes had a lot of brake cylinder corrosion.

Price looks like it's out of a book for 3 things, front, back and fluid change rather than a quote for all at once. In Wgtn I used a brake specialist rather than garage or dealer as they were faster, more practised at the job if I wasn't doing it myself. If you haven't had prior experience I don't think brakes are where you start diy.

When you say it's "out of a book" - do you mean it's just their scripted price? A brake specialist or another dealer may give an all-in-one price to account for it being such a big job at once?

tweake

2391 posts

Uber Geek

#3102318 10-Jul-2023 16:52

it depends a lot on what your brands your getting. that could be a reasonable price if your getting a good brand. but if they are using a cheap brand then its a complete rip off.

Senecio

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#3102320 10-Jul-2023 17:04

Is the brake pedal firm or does it feel a little soft or spongy. If its firm then you shouldn't need the fluid bleed.

casewindow

310 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3102321 10-Jul-2023 17:05

Senecio:

Is the brake pedal firm or does it feel a little soft or spongy. If its firm then you shouldn't need the fluid bleed.

Brakes feel absolutely fine. In fact I was surprised to hear that's what failed the warrant - including the need to do all the rotors and the pads and the fluid

Bung

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#3102332 10-Jul-2023 17:31

casewindow:
When you say it's "out of a book" - do you mean it's just their scripted price? A brake specialist or another dealer may give an all-in-one price to account for it being such a big job at once?

If you have doubts about the price get a 2nd opinion.

Tourist

19 posts

Geek

#3102335 10-Jul-2023 17:37

casewindow:

I am being quoted $1400 to replace all four rotors and brake pads and do a brake bleed on a mid-2000s Ford Focus.

Does this seem a bit high?

$650 to do the front rotors and brake pads

$600 do to the rear rotors and brake pads

$150 for the brake fluid replacement.

That seems excessive to me.

If you are moderately handy it is not a hard job. Just don't get under a car that is only supported by the jack. Plenty of youtube videos etc.

(Mind - I am a miserly sod that has always done it myself to save money. Takes about and hour, in the cold and dark with minimal equipment to do front or rear. Just had work ute done and was nice not to get hands dirty for a change)

From a quick check on Supercheap, and assuming a 2005 random spec focus.

Pads are ~60 - 80 per set. (some more, some less, you know how it works)

Rotors ~$120 per front, ~$80 per rear. (each)

1l brake fluid ~$30.

So fronts - $320 in parts

and rears ~$220 parts.

Call it total $570 in parts. ( someone will correct the math if i've made an error. speed running this at work)

The balance is a lot of $$ for not a lot of labour.

Also - you can get rotors skimmed for $25 each (just had it done for work vehicle last week. Mobile van comes to you.)

Although labour rate might be right if it was Handsomedan's Volvo! :-) Director at work has Volvo and I've seen the hourly rate on the service costs!!

Tourist

19 posts

Geek

#3102341 10-Jul-2023 17:43

Last thought

There is a minimum thickness for the rotor so sometimes it is not possible to skim the rotor as that would make it too thin.

That would mean you had to buy new rather than skim. Whoever is skimming rotors will know the value for your vehicle and advise if it can be done.

Places like BNT Automotive usually have the service to skim. Don't know if all branches have it on site or some have to send out.

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