Was wondering if anyone knew the cheapest place to change brake pads for car round SF

[cyberena]

I know this is not specificially motorcycles, but was wondering if I could get some help on this. My girlfriend doesnt have much money and any savings would help, she has a Mazda Protege year 2000 car and brakes are squeaking really badly.

Best price I've found for 2 pads, and complete installation service totals $165

Anyone know anything better? Or where I may call and check?

Any help be truly appreciated

 

[FlewbyU]

the answer is your driveway, front brakes are about the easiest thing to change on your car. Takes about 20 mins and you only need a few tools. Jack, socket set, c-clamp and new pads. Very easy to change and pads only cost about 20 bucks.

 

[70 Cam Guy]

Yeah I say do them yourself

Brake pads on a car are super easy. They aren't pulsating right? If they aren't, you can probably get away with not machining the rotors. Most places if you just take the rotors down will turn them for about 40 bucks (20 each rotor). If you have a shop do everything, depending on cost of pads, anywhere from ~120-180 (includes turning the rotors, pads, labor). Chances are the rotors are not undersized since the car is pretty new.

I'm guessing you already know that it is the fronts making the noise because some people screw that up (I used to work at a Midas in Oakland). The pads are are worn right? Sometimes they get glazed over and start to squeak. All it takes to fix that is some sand paper

 

[magyarbetyar]

Don't know of any shops in SF but a front brake job is pretty simple and straight forward, unless you want to do it right were you need to turn/resurface the rotors.

165 is not bad depending on 1) what type of pads are they going to use. I know Hondas like to squeak if you don't replace them w/ factory Honda pads. 2) are they going to resurface the rotors or not.

 

[Yamaha_R6]

I know this is not specificially motorcycles, but was wondering if I could get some help on this. My girlfriend doesnt have much money and any savings would help, she has a Mazda Protege year 2000 car and brakes are squeaking really badly.

Best price I've found for 2 pads, and complete installation service totals $165

Anyone know anything better? Or where I may call and check?

Any help be truly appreciated

.

For $165, resurfacing the rotors has to be included in that price. Going rate at the shop I'm currently working at, is only $69, thats parts and labor.

 

[cyberena]

Re: Re: Was wondering if anyone knew the cheapest place to change brake pads for car round SF

.

For $165, resurfacing the rotors has to be included in that price. Going rate at the shop I'm currently working at, is only $69, thats parts and labor.

Can you give me the info to your shop please?

--

Unfortunately, I dont know enough about cars to do it myself, I wouldnt mind learning but I dont know anyone who knows how to do it either and would be willing to teach me

 

[cyberena]

Yeah I say do them yourself

Brake pads on a car are super easy. They aren't pulsating right? If they aren't, you can probably get away with not machining the rotors. Most places if you just take the rotors down will turn them for about 40 bucks (20 each rotor). If you have a shop do everything, depending on cost of pads, anywhere from ~120-180 (includes turning the rotors, pads, labor). Chances are the rotors are not undersized since the car is pretty new.

I'm guessing you already know that it is the fronts making the noise because some people screw that up (I used to work at a Midas in Oakland). The pads are are worn right? Sometimes they get glazed over and start to squeak. All it takes to fix that is some sand paper

what is pulsating?
and what is machining the rotors mean?

pads are worn, 3 years of use, the front is squeaking big time, mainly the right side.

 

[slorider]

pulsating is when you step on your brake pedal and you feel the pedal moving back and forth. machining the rotor is when you cut(turn) the rotor so it is nice and straight. when u use your brakes, it might not wear evenly.

 

[Yamaha_R6]

Re: Re: Re: Was wondering if anyone knew the cheapest place to change brake pads for car round SF

Can you give me the info to your shop please?

--

Unfortunately, I dont know enough about cars to do it myself, I wouldnt mind learning but I dont know anyone who knows how to do it either and would be willing to teach me

Automax Of Bay Area
1750 East 12th Street, Oakland, 94606
510-533-3393

Its not that hard at all to change the pads, its very easy and you can save alot of money if you do it yourself.

 

[cyberena]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Was wondering if anyone knew the cheapest place to change brake pads for car round S

Automax Of Bay Area
1750 East 12th Street, Oakland, 94606
510-533-3393

Its not that hard at all to change the pads, its very easy and you can save alot of money if you do it yourself.

thanks for the contact, i really appreciate it, ill call you guys tomorrow.

sure, it doesnt sound like its hard, but think about it, ive never done it before, i have no clue how to start, its hard for me until someone shows me.

wanna show me?

else we just gonna pay the cheapest place we can find, she's damm near broke, and problems seem to never stop piling up!

 

[Max Smiley]

yes pads *should be* fairly easy, after that long of no service plus first time doing it you never know though. also sounds like the car will need at least one new rotor if not two by now.

sorry I'm fragged up right now cyber I would teach ya how to do brakes. the shop probably won't bleed the system, most are so lazy or some don't do the full job really, so if they don't we can do that later.

maybe give KenLSP a call? I know his shop is bikes but this sounds like something he might help and bang out very quickly for you? don't know if cool to work in the driveway / lot though. all you would need is the parts and fluid. just another idea.

 

[DaSpeCiALiSt]

C2 Automotive. William Chang. I trust him. 510.272.9869. I dunno how much he'd charge for a brake pad job (as I'd do it myself), but he's usually pretty reasonable.

 

[johnny929]

Come to Fremont, I help you so you can do it next time and save yourself some cash.

 

[agent87]

Come to Fremont, I help you so you can do it next time and save yourself some cash.

Like Johnny and Max, I'd be willing to show you how to do it too. I'm also in Fremont.

 

[Rob]

I'm in san Francisco and though I've never done them on a mazda...it can't be that much different...If you want we'll walk through it together...won't go beyond any point we can't back...I have a jeep wrangler (Disks and Drums) and they were as easy as pie.

Also it helps to have a manual from Chilton or Haynes. You can get them from the local auto parts store (Kragen for example). They are a wealth of information.

Good Luck

IOW If you're looking for help, I'll help.

 

[Eman]

i did my own front brakes on my 01 civic, i bought non oem pads and it warped my rotors,car started to shake hella bad, so i got them turned cost me $10/rotor, and i also bought new oem pads, i wont mind teaching how to do front brake pads, i never did it on a mazda but theyre all pretty much the same i think.

 

[cyberena]

whoa shit... thanks all you guys for the offer, i got to this page a few hours too late.

just dropped the car off at the cheapest place i could find in SF. only thing that concerns me is the pads are not OEM, but ive heard people get cheap $20 pads from kragens and shit and it was fine so I'm hoping non oem pads will be ok

i really want to learn more about cars / bike workings, max showed me how to change the oil which was totally awesome only downside to my situation is i dont have a garage.

sure, no garage is fine, but i also dont have the tools. so ...

sure i can buy the tools, cost $$$, so say i was to buy them, i dont have a place to put them, no garage. my sidewalk is the garage. haha

sure you say put it in my home, but i live in tiny studio apartment, no place to be putting all these car tools.

oh well... in the future maybe. for now, ill stick with just learning...