jassurafs

I took my car for servicing today (car has 84K) and the technician says the brakes needs to be replaced. The front brakes might have 1000 miles left but it is about to touch the metal. The rears are not far apart and he recommended changing all four. He quoted $550 for parts and labor. Does this sound a fair price?

Also, would you guys recommend getting it done at other stores like Midas or local Toyota dealer (not sure if they will work on Lexus). If so, can you tell me how much would it cost?

Thanks!
Rafs

TunedRX300

$550 is a rip off. I have my pads and rotors changed for $500, parts and labor. I ordered pads myself and asked a non-Lexus shop that has solid customer feedback rating to install mine.
You can find one at www.tirerack.com, go to their recommended installer. The shop I went to is better in price and did better a job than Lexus - I like them to hand torque wheel nuts and not using impact wrench (able to excerpt 300-500lbs ft) to over tighten and warp RX's rotors.
In your case, you probably just needs pads replaced. Should be even less, don't turn rotors unless you have vibration - or you will make rotors easier to warp in the future.

toy4two

you can do it yourself for $100 and 3 hours of your time.

MR_RX300

don't get ripped off like that....purchase the brakes from your dealership like I did...and have someone help you put them on if you can't do it yourself. You just have to watch to put them on correctly.....for my 2003 RX....the pads are now designed a little differenlty apparently to lessen any squeeling. Its not hard to replace yourself....they won't havet to be bled or anything...just replace the old ones....500??? For like someone else said..close to 100 buck job...........

TunedRX300

Brake lines must be bled when you replace pads, it is a standard procedure to get rid of air got in the brake system during servicing.
DIY is great if you know what you are doing. If not, pick a good shop since brake is a safety item. I would rather have my engine die on me than my brake die on me. Just my two cents.

cnynctry

Even if you choose not to do it yourself, anyplace is cheeper than the dealer. Just get the pads called for . Keeps your wheels clean and wont squeel.

rxdriver

Yes, a Toyota dealer can also do the job.
Probably won't be a drastic price reduction... there are some other good ideas above.

salimshah

Rafs:

Was there a breakdown of expense? There may be some line items which may not be necessary. Some times un-needed repair/replacement is done so that the customer does not come back with complaints. It also adds to the bottom line of shop but to be fair the possibility of an irate customer coming back is reduced.

Salim

BOWTIE 3

My dealer quoted me $450.00 to replace the brake pads, not including machining the rotors. I bought premium pads at the import auto parts store [ $ 58.00 ] and replaced them myself in about 2 hours. I'll admit that as a retired GM service tech I probably completed the job sooner than a novice, but anybody who changes their own oil / filter should be able to do this job. Just be sure to use the original shims, and always use a " squeal eliminator " on the backside of the pads. [ I use NAPA or CRC ] . I also use " anti-seize " on the caliper bolts and the wheel-studs. Remember to ALWAYS torque the wheel-nuts to the torque specified in the owners' manual. As for the $90.00 an hour labor charge: my dealer charged me an hour's labor last week to tell me the tech couldn't hear the noisy A/C compressor I complained about. The service rep told me that when it quits or comes apart it will be covered by the Certified Warranty . I guess they only hear problems when the vehicles are OUT of warranty! When that time comes they'll never see me again !