Car repair price question - quick help needed

[ccgirl]

So...I had to bring my car in due to a squeaking sound. Figured it was the brakes. They called and say I need front brake pads and rotors turned and surfaced, rear brake pads and new rear rotors and the price is $450.

Does that sound about right? It is for a 2006 Buick Rendezvous. How long can I expect these brakes to last? They are using semimetallic pads.

Thanks!

 

[BunsenH]

Sounds reasonable for all 4 wheels.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Are you going to keep the car for a while? If so try to get the work done somewhere that they guarantee the rotors and brakes. On our old cars, from college, DH and I had to get all that done which is expensive. But, we did it at "Monroe" so when the brakes and rotors inevitably needed to be replaced AGAIN it was free because of the warranty I don't think I was ever happier to have a warranty then when my kids were babies, the rotors went and I didn't get a bill

 

[ccgirl]

Sounds reasonable for all 4 wheels.

Thank you for the quick reply!

Are you going to keep the car for a while? If so try to get the work done somewhere that they guarantee the rotors and brakes. On our old cars, from college, DH and I had to get all that done which is expensive. But, we did it at "Monroe" so when the brakes and rotors inevitably needed to be replaced AGAIN it was free because of the warranty I don't think I was ever happier to have a warranty then when my kids were babies, the rotors went and I didn't get a bill

Thank you for your reply. You have no idea how much you have helped as I am getting the work done at Munro as well. I have never been there, they just happened to be right next to my work. So glad you were happy with them. Although, I heard they warrantied the brake pads for the life of the car but not the rotors??? I do plan on keeping this car for a while so I will get the work done.

Thanks again to you both!

 

[usnuzuloose]

I would say that was a great price, mine cost 900.00 Jo

 

[ccgirl]

I would say that was a great price, mine cost 900.00 Jo

Thank you!!! I feel so much better. I do feel bad for you though. I don't know anything whatsoever about cars. I almost fell off my seat when he told me how much it would be. Guess I should be thanking my lucky stars.

Amazing how the same thing can be different in price. I mean, I know some cars are made differently but your cost was almost double mine. Just doesn't seem right.

 

[DVC-Don]

I paid that much just for the rear brakes on the wifes Cadillac last fall.

 

[ndelaware]

If all you heard was squeaking, and not grinding, I would tell them not to touch the rotors, just do the pads.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

DH just got new Brakes and Rotors and it was $525...sounds like you are getting a fair price.

 

[tvguy]

So...I had to bring my car in due to a squeaking sound. Figured it was the brakes. They called and say I need front brake pads and rotors turned and surfaced, rear brake pads and new rear rotors and the price is $450.

Does that sound about right? It is for a 2006 Buick Rendezvous. How long can I expect these brakes to last? They are using semimetallic pads.

Thanks!

Price sounds right in the ball park. I am surprised to see you needed rear rotors and not front. The front brakes do the majority of the work. There could a a design issue that caused the rear rotors to warp though.
I would expect brakes to last 40-50,000 miles. But of course, that depends on how you drive and the quality of the brake pads. Disc brakes are far safer than drums, but they wear out a lot faster. I had a set of pads wear out in only 10,000 miles on my Suburban and my mechanic called his parts supplier and told them they better replace them for free, he did the labor for free. I had gotten 40,000 miles with the original pads. A seal leak damaged my rear drum brake shoes, so I had to replace them with lots of brake shoe left. I've got 85,000 miles on those rear drum breaks, and at the last oil change the mechanic checked them and said they still have 60% left. So I may have to change the front pads 3 times before I have to replace the rear drum shoes.

 

[ccgirl]

If all you heard was squeaking, and not grinding, I would tell them not to touch the rotors, just do the pads.

It sounded like squeaking while driving and grinding when applying the brakes.

Price sounds right in the ball park. I am surprised to see you needed rear rotors and not front. The front brakes do the majority of the work. There could a a design issue that caused the rear rotors to warp though.
I would expect brakes to last 40-50,000 miles. But of course, that depends on how you drive and the quality of the brake pads. Disc brakes are far safer than drums, but they wear out a lot faster. I had a set of pads wear out in only 10,000 miles on my Suburban and my mechanic called his parts supplier and told them they better replace them for free, he did the labor for free. I had gotten 40,000 miles with the original pads. A seal leak damaged my rear drum brake shoes, so I had to replace them with lots of brake shoe left. I've got 85,000 miles on those rear drum breaks, and at the last oil change the mechanic checked them and said they still have 60% left. So I may have to change the front pads 3 times before I have to replace the rear drum shoes.

Thank you for this very informative info. I replaced the front rotors last year so that is probably why they could turn them and resurface them?? Whatever that means. The rear brake rotors....I think this is the 1st time I have had them done -they definitely weren't done last year. I was thinking more like 40,000 miles too. My front ones didn't last that long. I do a lot of driving though. Probably close to 20,000 miles a year. Thanks again for your explanation. It was very helpful.

 

[usnuzuloose]

Thank you!!! I feel so much better. I do feel bad for you though. I don't know anything whatsoever about cars. I almost fell off my seat when he told me how much it would be. Guess I should be thanking my lucky stars.

Amazing how the same thing can be different in price. I mean, I know some cars are made differently but your cost was almost double mine. Just doesn't seem right.

I have a higher end car ( sigh ) I just put out so much and I still need more. But it sure beats having a car payment. I wish my husband would go with a cheaper vehicle to fix. I just drove a chevy equinox and I liked it. At least its american made. Jo

 

[savannahcat]

We just paid $460 for front and rear brake pads and front rotors on our Honda Odyssey, so that sounds about right to me.

 

[goofyernmost]

I paid that much just for the rear brakes on the wifes Cadillac last fall.

Yup...just paid $580 for pads and rotors, front wheels only, on my Cadi!

 

[Polyluvr]

We paid over 1200 for ceramic? pads etc w rotors in feb for our cadillac.

 

[Kathi OD]

That price is a very good one, but maybe because the shop expects to see you for more work at a future date.

We have a 2005 Rendezvous, and there is a design flaw. It won't surprise me if you eventually need the wheel bearing hub assembly and tie rods replaced. It is a common issue w/ this model, regardless of the year of manufacture.

 

[ccgirl]

That price is a very good one, but maybe because the shop expects to see you for more work at a future date.

We have a 2005 Rendezvous, and there is a design flaw. It won't surprise me if you eventually need the wheel bearing hub assembly and tie rods replaced. It is a common issue w/ this model, regardless of the year of manufacture.

Good to know. Thank you for telling me. I have had the car for 4 years and so far, knock on wood, no major work needed. Supposedly they said the wheel bearings were okay. The final cost, after coupons, was $465 and that included an oil change and tire rotation too. I just love my Rendezvous and wish they were still making them. I will keep putting money into it until it outweighs the benefits. The car is almost paid off so not having a car payment will certainly help.

Thanks for the fyi though. I will definitely keep an eye on it. Was it not recalled for that?

Thanks again everyone! I think I am going to stay away from Cadillacs. Maintenance is way too high.

 

[Kathi OD]

Good to know. Thank you for telling me. I have had the car for 4 years and so far, knock on wood, no major work needed. Supposedly they said the wheel bearings were okay. The final cost, after coupons, was $465 and that included an oil change and tire rotation too. I just love my Rendezvous and wish they were still making them. I will keep putting money into it until it outweighs the benefits. The car is almost paid off so not having a car payment will certainly help.

Thanks for the fyi though. I will definitely keep an eye on it. Was it not recalled for that?

Thanks again everyone! I think I am going to stay away from Cadillacs. Maintenance is way too high.

We've had ours for 5.5 years and the tie-rods and wheel bearings went about 9 months ago; one month before we paid it off. I have no clue why they haven't been recalled, but there is a ton of documented cases of this particular problem. Regardless, we the car. It suits our needs well and we were able to have the problem fixed for a relatively good price. We figured getting it fixed was much cheaper than buying a new vehicle.