Typical Labor Cost for 4 Pads And Rotors

[3ZHPGUY]

Just take your time and do one axle at a time. The only thing I see as a possible problem would be breaking loose the bolt that holds the rotor on so, do that before you start and you should be good to go.

[BCS_ZHP]

If you were a dismantler, this is easy peasie lemon squeezy for you. Dismantle one corner and start to reassemble while having the other still assembled corner to refer to. The hardest part is getting the rotor retaining screw loose, soak it with PB Blaster (soak them on every rotor), let it sit a while, soak again and let sit. Then buy a good set of metric Allen head socket ($20-25 Craftsman from Sears), fit that into the rotor retain screw/bolt, tap it with a hammer to seat it in there well, then use a rachet and remove it. Also buy a few cans of Brake Kleen, don't worry about your greasy fingerprints on rotors, you can spray all of that off at the end. And buy some anti-seize compound to put on all bolt threads for the reassembly process.

[mimalmo]

Brakes are suuuuuper easy. Several DIY's are out there to walk you through it.

Free tip: I like to have a brush-top container of anti-seize handy for all of the contact points so everything moves as it should and squeaks are non-existent.

Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80078...ti-seize+brush

I put that stuff on the backside of the pads where they contact the calipers, on the clip where the pads slide back and forth, on the backside of the rotors and a small amount where the wheels touch the face of the rotor so they don't stick (alloy to steel). I've done 3 brake jobs in the last couple years and none of them squeaked when done.

[BCS_ZHP]

Brakes are suuuuuper easy. Several DIY's are out there to walk you through it.

Free tip: I like to have a brush-top container of anti-seize handy for all of the contact points so everything moves as it should and squeaks are non-existent.

Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80078...ti-seize+brush

I put that stuff on the backside of the pads where they contact the calipers, on the clip where the pads slide back and forth, on the backside of the rotors and a small amount where the wheels touch the face of the rotor so they don't stick (alloy to steel). I've done 3 brake jobs in the last couple years and none of them squeaked when done.

Yep, if you don't have the silver of anti-seize on you hands/arms/some other body part and somewhere on your clothes, then it wasn't a complete brake job. This Permatex anti-seize is available at any discount car parts store, and it's only about $5-7 which will last you forever.

[danewilson77]

Hopefully you can find a family member nearby for assistance. This is a great learning opportunity, it's not too hard but having an experienced mafiaso assist is the security blanket. When I teach someone, normally I'll do one corner with them watching, then they do the 2nd corner with unlimited questions allowed, next I supervise the 3rd corner with very limited questions, and finally I walk away as they do the 4th corner. Both my sons learned this way, had to do a small refresher the next time they did a brake job but after one corner they told me to go away.

I've done this with Justin as well. E46 is an easy car to work on.

He's completed VANOS, cooling system, brakes, suspension, Aux input, pullies, tranny and oil changes etc. Started him off at 18.

When I get the new shop setup (2 weeks ), I'll start with Walker (16)

Bruce,

Did I mention yet that I'm nominating you for Redbooks Dad of The Year?

[danewilson77]

Just take your time and do one axle at a time. The only thing I see as a possible problem would be breaking loose the bolt that holds the rotor on so, do that before you start and you should be good to go.

When I stand there and let people struggle, I see them having problems with the anti-rattle clip as well.

[JupiterBMW]

Drive down here and I'll do it for you, for the cost of lunch (typically $5 in pizza). Then you get to (a) meet another Mafia member and (b) learn how to do it yourself. Not to mention, its always better to DIY for that feeling of accomplishment afterward.

[UdubBadger]

There ya go!


Goin' HAM mobile

[NorCalZman]

Jon FTW!

[BCS_ZHP]

There's the winning ticket, a nice little drive down south, use Jon's tools (cost avoidance for now), lean on Jon to walk you thru it (guaranteed you'll get it installed correctly - recall he's a machinist, they're perfectionists), some pizza & beer, what's not to like?!!!