Recommendation for car brake pads replacement?

What ever you do don’t go to ACT Tyre Brake and Mechanical in Dickson. I went there to get car checked and they said I needed brake pads placed on my car. They informed me that it was going to cost $295. When I went to pick up my car and pay for their service the bill was for $418. They slapped on an additional $123 and services with out consulting me for approval. When I pointed this out they dismissed my concerns. The matter is now being dealt with by Fair Trading,

tim_c said :

b- you drive a European car (they use soft discs which wear down almost as fast as the pads – this is so you get good stopping power without having to actually press the brake pedal – instead you can stop the car by just touching the pedal with your smallest toe)
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Or a Kia or Hyundai…..$699 for changing the fronts only at a dealership, discs and pads. Discs are basically being treated as consumables. Made my eyes water, caught once but never again..

Generally, a set of pads (front OR rear) will typically cost $30-50 depending on the car, and about a half-hour labour to fit them. Double it if both (front AND rear) brakes need doing.
If the brake fluid is dirty, or hasn’t been changed in the last 2 years, this will also need changing – $20 for fluid, and about a half-hour of labour for someone who’s done it once or twice before.

You’ll know if the discs need machining if:
a- the brakes don’t work smoothly – ie. if the pedal pulses when you are slowing/stopping, or the car doesn’t slow/stop smoothly – brakes feel like they’re coming on harder and releasing in time with wheel revolutions.
b- you drive a European car (they use soft discs which wear down almost as fast as the pads – this is so you get good stopping power without having to actually press the brake pedal – instead you can stop the car by just touching the pedal with your smallest toe)
c- or of course, if you’ve worn the pads down to the backing plates!

It would be silly to drive all the way to Mitchell if you live in the bowels of Banks. Replacement of brake pads is a very simple task for which Jax Quickfit or ACT Brakes would be a reasonable choice, both of which have a number of branches across Canberra.

Hi Grace,

A good mechanic and a good Lawyer are rare to come by and certainly to treasure.

When i was living in Philip there was a mechanic called Adrian at Ultimate tunes. Would certainly recommend him. Not sure if he is still around, but worth giving them a call – http://www.ultimatetunes.com.au

My 2 cents.

I’m not a mechanic, but I always found that they’d try and sting me for machining the discs everytime I got a brake pad change. As a poor uni student, I used to do it on my old ’77 Corolla, but haven’t done them for probably 20 years now.

One place told me the warranty was less if I didn’t get the discs machined at the time the pads are replaced. I understand the reasoning, just not sure if its reasonably necessary every time! Probably worth getting a second opinion if because I feel sometimes they are trying to con an extra $200 out of me.

Pedders at Belconnen, its a good idea to get the shocks tested there as well while the wheels are off

Wicks Mechanical in Isabella Plains.
I’ve been going to them for more than 10 years. Fantastic, down to earth service and a nice bit of eye candy for the ladies too 😉

Replacing brake pads should be relatively inexpensive.
If your discs are warped or overly-worn, or if your brake hydraulics need work, then a good mechanic will tell you and it will cost you substantially more.
A “cheap” brake pad replacement, without a proper safety check, might be a very poor investment.
If in doubt, pay for a safety check fist and then get some quotes.

ACT Brake Service at Mitchell. Did my front brake pads in December for less than half what others quoted me, and did a good job.