What is a resonable Labor $$ to change brakes?

I have 1996 Jeep Cherokee Sport. When I went to get the oil change done, the Mechanic suggested I need front and rear brake pads replaced soon. It needs resurfacing, too.

He says, "For front brake, $175 and rear brake $185 because rear brake part is a bit more expensive." I feel that he is over-charging me and I'm looking for a new mechanic or doing it myself.

I would appreciate it if anyone can recommend the parts for front brake pad set, rear brake pad set, and rotors. Thanks.

I live in Westchester County, NY.

Regards,

I have a 2000 Sport and was just quoted $700 to do my brake system (not from a dealer) - basically the same as what you need done. I'm in Orlando, which is typically much cheaper than Westchester County (I'm originally from NY), so the price you were quoted sounds reasonable to me. If you want to do it yourself, I recommend AutoZone or similar - buy ceramic brakes or the best they have. These will still cost you a few hundred dollars but are probably much higher quality than what you'd get for the price you were quoted. A Haynes manual will help you do it yourself. Hope this helps.

I have a 2000 Sport and was just quoted $700 to do my brake system (not from a dealer) - basically the same as what you need done. I'm in Orlando, which is typically much cheaper than Westchester County (I'm originally from NY), so the price you were quoted sounds reasonable to me. If you want to do it yourself, I recommend AutoZone or similar - buy ceramic brakes or the best they have. These will still cost you a few hundred dollars but are probably much higher quality than what you'd get for the price you were quoted. A Haynes manual will help you do it yourself. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your reply. I purchased the set of front rotors($74), Ceramic Front Pad set($45), and rear drum shoes set($14) from tirerack.com right after I posted the original message. And, you're right about the price, three auto repair shops quoted about $250 to $300 to install them. I opted to install them myself with a part-time mechanic (friend of mine). I paid him, $80 and nice LUNCH... It took us about three hours only because the drum shoes were stuck and pins were bent!!! (I've never changed the rear drum shoes since 1996, Oops...). We had to get the whole drum kit(springs & pins) to fix it.

Anyways, I'm very happy with the result. Happy driving...

I had to laugh when I went to get prices for brackes on my 90 cherokee with 4wd.

I'd get these questions....year....SUV? oh! .....anti-lock? No...ok is it 4wd ...oh those can be hard to do Blah blah blah.

They wanted about $150 for just the front pads. I went and bought a new rotor and pads for about $70. Shops will cut rotors for you for like 5 bucks each. Disck brake pads can be as cheap as $15ish for a set. I personally don't like doing disc brakes so I call on my mechanic.

I found this links:

http://www.cockeyed.com/lessons/brakeshoes/brakeshoes01.shtml
http://www.allpar.com/fix/Brakes.html
http://mockster.net/how_to/brakes.htm

I did it by myself and didn't pay a dime:2cents:

Don't play their game.:screwy:

Expend that money in beer and a grill for your weekend

Regards!

hmm the local shop here in KC does em for $59.99 per axle labor and parts included i did find another shop that beats that but ive been happy with the first shop i found

Aren't they just supposed to screech like that?

One thing...metallic pads will last longer than cerramics.

Doing brakes on an XJ is not hard, but requires proper tools and some mechanic knowlege. Experience helps a lot too.

Shop labor in California is above $100 an hour.

I had to laugh when I went to get prices for brackes on my 90 cherokee with 4wd.

I'd get these questions....year....SUV? oh! .....anti-lock? No...ok is it 4wd ...oh those can be hard to do Blah blah blah.

They wanted about $150 for just the front pads. I went and bought a new rotor and pads for about $70. Shops will cut rotors for you for like 5 bucks each. Disck brake pads can be as cheap as $15ish for a set. I personally don't like doing disc brakes so I call on my mechanic.

Disc brakes are easier than drum brakes...it is amazing that they charge more.

I learned most of my mechanics from books. Barnes and Noble has good automechanics books.