Thread: replace pads

Originally Posted by landoman

just been told it will cost $800 to replace the front pads on my HSE ......this includes remilling ? the discs and replacing sensor/sensors ? why would you need to replace the sensors when you replace the pads is this sort of cost what you'd expect

Time to go to an independent.
$540 for all four pads....if skimming was required I was quote $80 for front and $80 for rears. $110 for front rotors if they were needed to be replaced.
Sensors....I believe if your light is on, your sensors have therefore worn so need to be replaced. Same an my Touareg.

Brett.....

That seems a bit high if the discs aren't being replaced. Ask them for a breakdown of the cost.

I haven't done the brakes on my D4 yet, but have recent costs for the fronts of my D3 and I suspect I may be using the same dealer as you.

There should be an hours labour, which is around $200 now. Machining the discs should be about $100. The sensor is about $50.

The last set of front pads cost me $123 + GST and the last set of discs were $241 each + GST. These are dealer prices, but for a D3 and about a year old so probably a bit low. So replacing pads and discs cost me $701 + GST. The last time I did the rears it was $435 + GST, which included machining the discs.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Jon

Originally Posted by jon3950

That seems a bit high if the discs aren't being replaced. Ask them for a breakdown of the cost.

I haven't done the brakes on my D4 yet, but have recent costs for the fronts of my D3 and I suspect I may be using the same dealer as you.

There should be an hours labour, which is around $200 now. Machining the discs should be about $100. The sensor is about $50.

The last set of front pads cost me $123 + GST and the last set of discs were $241 each + GST. These are dealer prices, but for a D3 and about a year old so probably a bit low. So replacing pads and discs cost me $701 + GST. The last time I did the rears it was $435 + GST, which included machining the discs.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Jon

thanks jon ....useful info .......just to clarify was the $701 for the front only or for all 4 ?
Also how many KM should you expect to to get out of your pads .....I think this may be my second set and Ive done about 55,ooo KM

Why do the disks need machining? Many brake places say this just to get extra work. If the disks need machining they probably need replacing.

$800 for a front set of brakes is over the top. Sensors will only need replacing if the light is on - though they can get damaged when doing the pads - but then sensors are very very cheap.

I would be trying somewhere else.

Garry

Originally Posted by landoman

thanks jon ....useful info .......just to clarify was the $701 for the front only or for all 4 ?
Also how many KM should you expect to to get out of your pads .....I think this may be my second set and Ive done about 55,ooo KM

That was for fronts only, but included new rotors.

I haven't got any figures for the D4 yet as I'm only at 30k, but on the D3 I was getting around 45-50k per set on the front. I was getting the rotors machined on the first change and replaced on the second.

Brake life can vary a fair bit of course depending on the type of usage. If its the first set then 55k sounds about right, but if its the second set then something's wrong.

Originally Posted by garrycol

Why do the disks need machining? Many brake places say this just to get extra work. If the disks need machining they probably need replacing.

Many do, but I think its worthwhile so am happy to pay the small amount required to do this. Machining is done to remove any grooves, surface defects or warpage. If this can be achieved by machining down to above the minimum thickness, then they don't need replacing - and its a lot cheaper than new rotors.

I agree its expensive, but dealers do know how to charge. Every time I've looked at it though the big difference is the labour cost, assuming you are using genuine pads - which of course is a whole other discussion. I am prepared to pay this extra because its a lot more convenient for me than going to an independent and I don't want to do it myself - I spend enough time working on cars already.

Cheers,
Jon

Do them yourself and save a packet!

Genuine pads, about $135 fronts, OEM discs about $125 each, and less than 1 hour to fit fronts. Rears a little more labour as the park brake will need cleaning and adjusting / bedding in.

Sensors can be repaired if not too far gone, just shave away the plastic 'block' that the wire is embedded in and solder the ends of the wire back together. Only works when the light has JUST come on and they aren't totally trashed IME.

I generally work on around $500 to $550 approx per end of vehicle fitted and drive away.

JC

I have an 05 D3. Replaced from and rear disks and pads done by TRS Adelaide for $1000.