This is my first car, and I'm learning little by little the games of car repair... but yesterday after work when my tire indicator light came on, (and for some reason my brake light comes on for a sec or two with the E brake completely down) so I decided I needed to get it fixed fast.... so I went to National Tire and Battery... and I explained I've been hearing a squealing noise whenever I accelerate on my front left wheel? The guy tells me, it's the brakes ( does that even make sense?) so he puts my car up... and comes back out with an estimate of $600.... $99 front brakes, $109 back... $99 labor for each... some other fees.... wtf? I told him to take my car down, and I left. Is this ridiculous for just 4 new brakes and 2 rotters that need cut? On top of all that I asked him how my front brakes looked (the whole reason I started hearing that noise) and he said I could go a couple more weeks without replacing them, but the back one was into the rotors (which I knew and could tell from looking at them). I Think i'm going to get my friend to help me,and do it myself if it's a lot cheaper. (Any estimates what it should cost?) Comments, opinions, and ridiculers all welcome. Thanks.

 

yeah when u accelerate ur brake light will turn on when u need new pads. all u really need is front pads since u hear the noise up front the most ull spend if u change it urself is the price of the pads bro, there's a DIY on here to changin front pads its crazy easy u have nooo clue, but also check this, do u have deep scratches on the rotor or anything? if not then all u need is pads.

 

Well your front brake pads being low would cause your brake light to come on... so they probably will need to be changed soon. Rear brakes are probably fine - but you'd have to look back there yourself and see how the pads are.

Brakes on the tC are super easy. And if your rotors are not warped, pitted, or cracked, they are probably OK as-is and you would only have to change the pads - which is ridiculously easy. One bolt at the top of the caliper would let the caliper flip out and then you can take off the old pads and put the new ones on.

Tech article here:
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=226398

Take a read through that and see what you think. Honestly, it's super easy (even if you're replacing rotors too). And OEM brakes aren't too expensive.

 

Brake jobs can be expensive....mainly labor

There is a nice DIY on here.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...ight=diy+brake

$600 is a bit on the high side f they aren't performance pads and rotors.

Technically, you can go to Autozone, Pepboys, Advanced Auto Parts, etc. to pick up some rotors and pads and do the front and rear for $200 to $300 in parts. The rotors are the most expensive and you should learn to have your brakes checked because rotors are supposed to last for years but they won't when your pads are worn and you are warping the rotors.

Learning how to do it yourself will save you money in the long run and is a valuable skill that you learn.

 

I'm a mechanic....so with that said... yes even a novice can replace brake pads if you're careful and mindful of what you are doing. Follow a good explicit DIY write up and you'll be fine. Now if your rotors do need to be turned down, it doesnt mean you cant do this project yourself. You can remove the rotors that need to be turned and take them down to an automotive machine shop to be turned. That would save you a decent amount cost wise. OEM brake pads for a tc can't be very expensive and you can pick them up at your local autoparts store like Checker, Autozone, etc. Just be careful that when you remove the caliper, do not press on anything except the retainer clips..and NEVER put your fingers inside the caliper...it is possible that the piston can move if you're not careful.

 

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=226398

 

$600 is a total rip-off, imo.

Shop around and you can find NEW rotors as low as $25, with pads just slightly higher. As others have said, DIY is the way to go, you can do it all for <$200 (F&R rotors replaced, not machined/turned, plus F&R pads) and just a few hours work since it's your first time.

 

How many miles are on the car? The rear brakes usually take FOREVER to wear out. About 3 times longer than the front.

 

My brother had a higher quote from NTB on his old car for a brake job ($1200 I think). NTB will try to rip you off.

 

I PM'd you

 

DON'T EVER DEAL WITH NTB

They work off commission. They said i needed 4 rotors and other work to pass inspection. They said no way i would pass. I took it to another guy for inspection without saying a word and the guy passed it without having to do ANYTHING !

 

Whats NTB?? sorry new to this online abbreviation thing. I can get POSI quiet brake pads for $35 and centric performance rotors (not drilled or slotted) for $75 a piece and your regular economy rotors for $25 a piece. And install DIY is the way to go like everyone else says.

 

National Tire and Battery

 

Don't feel bad....

My dealer wanted to charge me 420-ish for new rear pads & rotors!

Lets just say I installed slotted/drilled rotors rear & front, TRD front pads (huge mistake: too dusty), Wagner rear pads, labor by my cousin....$410ish



BTW; I love telling dealers "No!"

 

i just picked up a set of stoptech slotted rotors, axxis ultimate pads and stoptech SS lines for the fronts and it only cost me 275 bucks