Brake problem - screwed-up by mechanic?!

[USCruzer]

Hi there,
I just got my car back today from the mechanic - I had to repair the e-brakes to get a new inspection sticker. The guy told me that they had to replace the whole rear brakes (rotors, pads...) because the old ones were so much worn out that it was breaking metal on metal and that meant replacing everything.
Cost for that: 420$ (!!!)
Also they asked me if I had trouble with the brakes before because they noticed a pulsating in the brake pedal on their test-drive.
I said that I had that before too (a slight vibration, felt like warped front brakes to me), but when I drove off and hit the breaks the first time THIS was way different: There was a pulsating in the pedal and a strange noise coming from the front (somewhere on the left behind the dash?!), kind of humming noise, as if the ABS is operating when you break really hard.
Funny thing: THIS was NOT there BEFORE I dropped the car off at the shop!!!
1. What could be the reason for the noise/pedal vibration?
2. Is it possible the shop messed something up?
3. Is the price for the renewal of the rear brakes OK?!

It would be great to hear some opinions from you guys (and girls) out there... I´m a little bit pi**** right now... :o(

Thanks!!!

P.S.: Some details about my car: 1996 MGM GS, black, 1250000 miles, 4.6l V8/single exhaust, paid 2200$ in September 05 for it - and now have to spend a fortune to fix it :o(

[reekor]

I guess $420 isn't all that bad depending of the grade of parts used, since you are talking two rotors, pads, and parking brake shoes with a spring kit. 90% of the time you can not remove the rear rotors without damaging the parking brake shoes.

Originally Posted by USCruzer

Hi there,
I just got my car back today from the mechanic - I had to repair the e-brakes to get a new inspection sticker. The guy told me that they had to replace the whole rear brakes (rotors, pads...) because the old ones were so much worn out that it was breaking metal on metal and that meant replacing everything.
Cost for that: 420$ (!!!)
Also they asked me if I had trouble with the brakes before because they noticed a pulsating in the brake pedal on their test-drive.
I said that I had that before too (a slight vibration, felt like warped front brakes to me), but when I drove off and hit the breaks the first time THIS was way different: There was a pulsating in the pedal and a strange noise coming from the front (somewhere on the left behind the dash?!), kind of humming noise, as if the ABS is operating when you break really hard.
Funny thing: THIS was NOT there BEFORE I dropped the car off at the shop!!!
1. What could be the reason for the noise/pedal vibration?
2. Is it possible the shop messed something up?
3. Is the price for the renewal of the rear brakes OK?!

It would be great to hear some opinions from you guys (and girls) out there... I´m a little bit pi**** right now... :o(

Thanks!!!

P.S.: Some details about my car: 1996 MGM GS, black, 1250000 miles, 4.6l V8/single exhaust, paid 2200$ in September 05 for it - and now have to spend a fortune to fix it :o(