2001 Honda Accord - Caliper/Pads/Rotor Prices?

[newt_101]

I've had a screeching sound coming from my brakes, so after having it checked out from my family mechanic, I was told my brake calipers need to be replaced, and along with that the rotors and pads. I was quoted $900 for all the parts and labour, which seems quite high to me.

Can anyone give me some guidance on this?

It's for a 2001 Honda Accord (4 cylinder) with 144k on it.
I'm in central Toronto.

Much appreciated.

[Pete_Coach]

The price is not out of line but with some shopping around, you can get a slightly better price.
Think about what you are getting, 4 rotors, 4 calipers, 4 sets of brake pads, cleaning, disassemble, re-assemble, installation, new brake fluid, bleeding of a very important system on your car by a trained licensed technician backed by a certified shop. Not a bad price for all that work.
Now wait for the DYI'rs to come and tell you you can do this all yourself for practically nothing. Or, the guys who will tell you to order the parts online and take them to the tech etc etc.
Up to you.

[newt_101]

The price is not out of line but with some shopping around, you can get a slightly better price.
Think about what you are getting, 4 rotors, 4 calipers, 4 sets of brake pads, cleaning, disassemble, re-assemble, installation, new brake fluid, bleeding of a very important system on your car by a trained licensed technician backed by a certified shop. Not a bad price for all that work.
Now wait for the DYI'rs to come and tell you you can do this all yourself for practically nothing. Or, the guys who will tell you to order the parts online and take them to the tech etc etc.
Up to you.

I don't have the time nor the mechanical skills to do more than just change the pads, plus my mechanic informed me that at around 140k-160k calipers have to be changed usually, so it's about time for my car.

I work near Rexdale/Kipling and live near Eglinton/Allen.
Any shops near either place to call around to shop for prices?

Thanks!

[Pete_Coach]

I don't have the time nor the mechanical skills to do more than just change the pads, plus my mechanic informed me that at around 140k-160k calipers have to be changed usually, so it's about time for my car.

I work near Rexdale/Kipling and live near Eglinton/Allen.
Any shops near either place to call around to shop for prices?

Thanks!

Your mechanic is telling you that he changes them. In actual fact, there is really nothing to go wrong in a caliper. It is just a piston housing that distributed hydraulic pressure to a piston that pushed a brake pad. If it does not leak or if it is not seized, there is nothing wrong with it. We used to, as a rule, clean them and rebuild them all the time.
http://www.lukekailburn.com/caliperrebuild.html
I don't live in Toronto so I cannot give you suggestions but do not count out the dealer. In my area, Honda dealers have become quite competitive and aggressive in pricing jobs like this.

[virtuman1980]

Sounds like your mechanic is trying to rip you off...just as Pete_Coach said, unless the caliper seizes or leaks, you do not need to change them.

Give Chi a call at 360 Auto Services and get a second opinion (just tell him that your brakes are making noises and let him check for you). They specialize in Accord and they are highly recommneded in this forum and Toronto Accord Club (http://forums.torontoaccords.com). They are probably the cheapest in town and definitely worth the drive up north. Good luck!

Address: 20 Heritage Rd , Unit 17 (Markham, On L3P 3P3)
Telephone: 905-910-0854
Email: chi@360-auto.com
Website: http://www.360-auto.com/

[pax1234]

For a 2001 Accord, it is very unlikely that you need to have all four caliper replaced at the same time. You porbably don't have to replace any one of them. I had a 1992 Accord for fourteen years, it still had the original front calipers on it.

Like the others said, get a second opinion.

[TrevorK]

I agree with the above, the odds of 4 calipers being seized is slim on that new of a car.

Get an opinion from the dealer, because they are typically willing to stand behind their work. If you're adverse to spending more money, then Canadian Tire might offer a free quote.

[macnut]

It's for a 2001 Honda Accord (4 cylinder) with 144k on it.

Previous reponses have assumed that you have 4-wheel discs - this is only the case for an EX in a 2001 4 cyl. model, I believe.
Other 4 cyl. trim levels have rear drums.

Anyway it is a good idea to be sure exactly what your family mechanic is quoting on.

The price does seem on the high side, especially as it is not too likely that your rear brakes need replacing at the same time as the fronts (depending on what's been done previously, among other things).

The quote is obviously for a "complete brake job", that will carry a good warranty. (All new parts plus service parking brake.)
He could also have given you a "hang and turn brake job" at a much lower price. (Pads/shoes the only parts replaced.)

If you love your car, value your time, and want to minimize the risk of having to go back for something wrong, the complete job can make sense - at the right price.

Caliper seals can harden over time (but no hard and fast timeline such as 140K - 160K) and start to leak.
New pads with existing calipers mean that the piston is operating in an area of the bore that hasn't seen duty for some time.
If there is a bit of corrosion there, it is possible that seals will get damaged and leak.
Not necessarily going to happen, but your family mechanic is just trying to avoid a call-back and keep you as a happy customer.
But he always runs the risk of miscalculating your willingness to pay for that peace of mind.

[newt_101]

Thanks a lot for all your help and suggestions guys.

I gave 360 Auto a call and went over on Saturday morning to have them take a look (I have heard about them before but never actually had something go wrong with my car to warrant a visit).

Chi took my wheels off, inspected it and informed me that the rear brakes had not been serviced previously which is why the problem happened, and the front brakes are still good, but I might still hear a minor squeaking due to using the Wagner brand.

He serviced and replaced the rear pads/rotors for $220, as he told me the calipers were still operating fine.

Was in at 9:45 and out by 11:45.

macnut, I agree with you on this and usually take this course of action but when money is an issue (just bought a house), saving the pennies means a lot.

Thanks once again for all the help!