Before you say "just do it yourself", I'd like to but honestly can't. Dad was the family mechanic and had all the tools, knowledge, and space to work, but that is no longer an option.

I don't have all the needed tools or jack and jack stands and have a dirt parking spot, so I have to take it to a shop for this job. (I did change out my own alternator last month, so I'm not completely useless, but brakes are beyond my abilities/time/resources right now.)

I just want to know what is a reasonable price to pay a shop to get front and back brakes done, I am assuming they would do new rotors, pads, drums, shoes, all the little springs and hardware and charge me labor.

For my 2001 XJ Limited with 16 inch alloys, I was quoted $800-$850 for the front and rear brake job here in Central Massachusetts. Does that sound about right?

Thank you,
Squelchtone

 

I've never paid for one but that sounds WAY too high.

 

Price out parts first, worst case scenario....

Med quality Brake pads, then rotors (who knows if there needed). seal kit.

Medium quality rear shoes, turning drums or new ones. Seal kits.

Lube the zerks while under there?
Brake fluid?
Oil change?

Add 20% to parts? for tax or ?

Have them save ALL parts! and show you, let them know that before hand.

Should be about 3 shop hours, ask there rate. Some shops use the book method that quotes time.

So look up parts, that is a given number. They get a discount on those, then ask shop rate X3 I guess then you have a tota; reasonable number.

$800 seems high. I could do it in 2 hours easy, but have 50 years of doing such things. I think $250 on parts is high, unless something major is found.

Good Luck, knowledge is power, and don't get the cheap stuff!

Jeff

 

Follow up: I did just watch this video, and feel like I could at least get the front done my self if I got a jack and some jack stands (maybe not the recalled ones from Harbor Freight though, haha).

I would still prefer to leave all the little springs and things in the drum brakes for someone else to do.

Squelchtone

 

It depends where your having it done and the manufacture of the parts being used.
Rotors and drums can be resurfaced if within specs.
If you call a shop and ask how much are front and rear brakes, they have to make the estimate high enough to cover whatever they find when you take your vehicle in plus labor.
Find a trusted shop. Ask people you know where they take there vehicles and who they are happy with.
Then take your vehicle in and get it diagnosed. A good shop won’t sell you junk, or replace things you don’t need.
Beware of shops that specialize in brakes. By that I mean that’s all they do. Just my opinion of course.

 

In parts your looking at about $250 if you do both front and rear your self. So calculate shop rate for about 2-3hrs, we know they don't take that long to change but you know they have a computer telling them that's the time it will take. If you did alternator, you def can do brakes. Lug wrench, a jack, hammer, 13mm wrench or socket, brake cleaner and grease.

I just did this my self and its pretty easy. I do have a problem though, the fronts are grinding very loud but I'm hoping once they bead in they will be quiet.

 

Try knocking it out yourself you could by the tools and all the components for less than 850 I know that much. I learned early how to do the brakes and most things. its pretty straightforward just do one at a time. You got it!

 

oh man, I do appreciate your vote of confidence, but I am a bit intimidated by all the springs and wheel cylinder in the rear drum brakes. if something is stuck or worn out, it means going back and fourth to car parts store for this and for that, maybe if I watched some youtube videos first, and then take the wheels off and see what condition things are in before I start taking old parts off.

Thank you for your supportive reply
Squelchtone

 

Brakes are the #1 scam job by shops world wide. Mechanics will even admit it. It's a super easy job, parts are cheap and they can jack up the price by telling you that the job takes 10x as long as it actually does. It's actually impossible to find a good price on a brake job. With limited repair experience, the rear drums will give you trouble. You're better off just paying someone to do the rear. The front disc brakes could be done by a monkey. Let's see what it would cost to do the front yourself.

Jack - from Harbor Freight $70 (If the factory Jack is under your rear bench $0)
Lug Nut Wrench - From Harbor Freight $20 (If the factory wrench is under your rear bench $0)
10mm Wrench & 19mm Socket - $13
C Clamp - 6$
Parts - POWER STOPCRK2152$90 or DURAGOBK7026112$50 (Grease Included)

So if your factory tire changing tools are long gone $160-$200
If you still have the tire changing tools $70-$110

Maybe add a can of brake clean for $4

 

Rear brakes may not be the best choice for your first repair job. I had done rear brakes on a couple of other cars before, a number of times, and I still managed to get the XJ rear brakes done wrong, twice. May only be a reflection on my skill level, but that's my experience, anyway.

 

When I did my first drum brakes on my first car about 35 years ago I got started on the first brake and by the time I was putting it back together I couldn't remember how the little bits went. This sping over that one or under it, etc. But I had the sense to only start the one side. Quick check of the other side showed an uncorrupted example so I got it back together in a few minutes. Nowdays you can just shoot some cell phone pics.

You can do the job if you want. You also can pay someone else to do it. You've certainly done the right thing checking with others first before deciding.

 

I agree with this

@OP, you can only avail yourself of a few quotes, most mechanics could do an XJ brake job, no real need for a specialist

lol..any indication you will do any brake work yourself leads to a warning of imminent death & disaster

my brake shop proprietor mate has only recently been able to choke the words back, after knowing me for 40yrs

 

Actually, if they have to replace the calipers, drums, and rotors, that price is about right. This is a worst case scenario so you will be forewarned. Most shops will not just replace the pads on the front without replacing the rotors because of liability reasons. The same goes for the rears, including the drums. Remember this, the friction parts will wear out quicker if the drums or rotors are even slightly scored. They don't want you coming back because of that. Also remember the Cherokee has the problem of grooved caliper pad brackets that may have to be welded. Also remember the e-brake cables that may need to be replaced.

You really need to do this yourself with a little help from a friend. That way, you can evaluate better what needs to be replaced and what can reused until next time. The first thing my Dad taught me was to jack up both sides and remove the drums so you could use one side to reference where the parts go as you do the other side. This goes for checking if you need the hardware as well, springs, retainers, and star-wheel adjuster.

If you really have to get it done at a shop, choose a reputable small shop, not a national brand brake store. Midas or Monroe come to mind. If you start questioning what they recommend, they will reject the job or not guarantee their work. Small shops live or die on satisfied customers, not mass produced services.

 

This price sounds about right.
Several months ago, I got quoted $550 for a rear brake change. Of course, both drum brakes were leaking from the brake cylinder so they would have had to replace every drum brake component in there.

There was no way I was paying that much money to this shop. So what did I do? I converted from drum to disc brakes in the rear. The conversion takes awhile, especially when you don't have the right parts lol. But I'd say it is a worthwhile upgrade.

 

Only if it includes dinner and a reach-around.

But seriously, if that includes just pads/rotors and shoes/drums, that's pretty steep. If it also includes a fluid flush or caliper work, that's a bit more reasonable.