2002 Nissan Atlima Front/Rear Brakes + Rear Shocks Replacement Quote

[agavin]

Hello everyone -

This is my first time on these forums.

Car: 2002 Nissan Altima 2.5L 4cyl

Here's the scenario:
I went to the local car dealer after moving for the regular 60,000 mi service for my Nissan. As part of the inspection, I was told that I needed the following additional services done to my car, along with the estimates for each:
1. Front Brake Job $281.76
2. Rear Brake Job $263.48
3. Rear Shocks Replacement $394.50
4. Power Steering Fluid Flush $84.95
5. Brake Fluid Flush $99.95

Now, I thought the brake and shock replacment cost was outrageous, so I called up both Advance Auto Parts and O'Reilly Auto Parts for a quote on the parts - I understand the above quotes include labor - for the brake and shock replacements.

Both Advance and O'Reilly's most expensive brake pad cost around $46.99, both front and rear, with shocks around $34.99 per. One of the people I talked to about the quote outright laughed on the phone when I told him the estimate for the brake and shock replacement. Even with the labor costs, it seems to me that the estimated cost given to me by the delear is somewhat excessive, particularly for the shock replacement. Should I expect to pay this for a quality replacement job? Can I get as high of quality by going to say a shop such as Meineke or Midas?

Thank you in advance for any advice/info you can share.

[06chill]

the dealer i work at it cost about 250 to do a brake job fron or rear give or take 20 bucks but trust me non nissan pads usually endup squeeking.....the pads are about 50 bucks front or rear....also this is just an estimate i dont have true part prices....the shocks though does seem expensive cuz i think the rear do not go through the spring so all you have to do is unbolt them basicly.....thats about all i have for you off the top of my head if you need more help let me know

[takkie79]

I am not sure about how much nissan would cost.

But I believe the brakes are probably about 100 - 120 (parts / labor already included) for a pair if you go to local shops. Brakes are important - but changing the brake is quite simple. It should take less than 15 minutes each side for someone who knows what to change.

For me - i change my own brakes - it takes me more time to jack up the car than changing the actual brake pads...

As for the struts - i am looking for that info as well.

Honestly - I do not know what good does it do by doing, Brake oil flush and Steering oil flush --- i have only heard dealer asking customers to do transmission fluid flush for about 250... not sure what will you gain from doing the brake / steering flush... unless you dropped something dirty into the container - otherwise, how dirty could it be?

Thx
T

[06chill]

yea the dealer will resurface your rotors for that price which will make it squeek less and if your rotors are starting to warp it will smooth it out again....the struts if you have the spring compressor and stuff arent bad just time consuming......well on a full flush you will change out all the fluid and make it all fresh because all fluids lose there viscosity and additives....and just changing a little will still leave deposits for the seals to pick up and leak....for example if you drain and fill your tranny because there is no filter to change its about four quarts of fluid you change but when they flush it they use about fourteen quarts so you see how there still is a majority of the fluid that is dirty and adding some clean to it will just make the new stuff dirty......but personally ive never flushed my brake or power steering fluid. the coolant and the tranny though are ones i would do

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by 06chill

the dealer i work at it cost about 250 to do a brake job fron or rear give or take 20 bucks but trust me non nissan pads usually endup squeeking.....the pads are about 50 bucks front or rear....also this is just an estimate i dont have true part prices....the shocks though does seem expensive cuz i think the rear do not go through the spring so all you have to do is unbolt them basicly.....thats about all i have for you off the top of my head if you need more help let me know

I use Raybestos semi metallic for my maxima, altima and dodge van and never get any squeaks, I use a little crc brake quiet on the back of the pads. They last around 40k for the front and 85k for the rears. I read a lot about trans flushes and think they are overated. I have drained and refilled both Nissans at 125k using walmart dexron 111 mercon over a year ago. It still looks clean and red with about 20k miles since the change. I had a leaking rear wheel cylinder on my van and the dealer wanted $600.00 to replace the cylinders and shoes. I am usually a very low key person, but after he told me the price he could feel my blood start to boil and asked me to calm down. I had the job done at Pep Boys for $160.00 without changing the shoes.
Car dealers would get more repair business with competitive prices.

[Toolman5523]

The prices you where given in the estimate are pretty close to what you will find at any nissan dealer. Nissan and their dealers have always been proud of their products, and not willing to let them go for chump change. Have you just called the dealer, and talked to someone in the parts department for a quote on parts only?

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by Toolman5523

The prices you where given in the estimate are pretty close to what you will find at any nissan dealer. Nissan and their dealers have always been proud of their products, and not willing to let them go for chump change. Have you just called the dealer, and talked to someone in the parts department for a quote on parts only?

You can find prices for Nissan parts with this link.


http://www.nissanpartscheap.com/

From my experience
There are several companies that make aftermarket parts that are of equal or better quality than any manufacturer parts. Dealers charge full retail to the public for parts while aftermarket sellers discount theirs. Car companies have many wear and tear parts made to specs. for them by the same companies that make aftermarket parts. Belts, hoses, brake pads, filters, rotors, wires, radiators etc: If you look under your hood you will see that some parts have the aftermarket mfg. name on it.