Book time of wheel cyclinder replacement?

[tgrudzin]

Anyone know what a mechanic charges book time on replacing both rear brake cylinders? I can apply an cost per hour figure. I went to do a normal brake job and discovered that both rear brakes had leaking cylinders that had to be replaced. It's just to explain to my wife how much money I saved by doing the job my self. All new parts, job started and finished in 4 hours. Not bad for a non-mechanic.

Ted

[JDPascal]

flat rate time for brakes and wheel cylinders on both wheels including bleeding and serviceing the self adjusters is 3 hours give or take a tenth.

good time if you haven't done any of it before and fun too if you arn't rushed.

way to go!!!!!!!!

you saved the labor, the shop supply charge and the markup on the parts if you were able to buy right.

JD

[tgrudzin]

Thanks, JD

I base my 'earned' time (with the wife,) at $75 per hour, then list +50% of list price on parts. Purchased parts from NAPA. ( Brand new drums, shoes, spring kit, 2 wheel cylinders, cleaner, brake fluid... appr. $170.00) Maybe could have found parts at 'better' prices, but quality is also a factor. At my age, (not in college) quality is more important than price. I now know I have great brakes that will last 50K or more.

As for the time, I took a brake class in '94 and last changed my wheel cylinders under the eye of the instructor 12 years ago. (Good thing I decided on that class instead of carburetors) A good part of the time was looking for right the tools.

Bad news was the brake job took away from my passion of home brewing beer. I did that the following day.

I probably will do the fronts brakes real, real soon, nothing is better than four fresh brakes. Just like new, and something you can forget about for years, or 50K miles.

Ted