Just had the dealer do the rear brakes on an '06 Sport 4WD

[Sanyo]

Just sort of a field report.

I had the local dealership service department service the rear brakes recently, on my '06 Sport 4WD. It took nearly 4 hours, and the proffered reason was because the rear brakes on the 4WD models were a nightmare, took additional parts kits, etc.

It ended up costing me $210, which I'm not really thinking is all that bad?

The work was turning rotors, replacing pads. Vehicle only has 50K on it.

Mostly, I'm curious about experiences with the expense and time required by others for similar work.

 

[SUP3RJEFF]

Rear brakes are a nightmare? I did my rear pads in my garage in about 1 hour... Nothing hard about it. I do believe they're blowing a little smoke your way on this one.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Uhm... the rear brakes aren't usually a pain unless you start doing things like the parking brake shoes or adjusting the parking brake, but even adjusting the brake is a minor annoyance more than anything.

Are you sure it took 4hrs from the vehicle actually being driven into the tech's stall and not you handing the keys to the service writer? A lot of customers forget that they aren't the only ones getting service done and the reason the service writer will say it takes "6 hours" or what ever is so that they can space the work out and not have to worry about rushing the techs. Realistically the job maybe took an hour and half, but they didn't touch the truck until an hour after the RO left the printer because of other jobs and such.

 

[Sanyo]

Dunno...

I was watching the techs work on it. They were bouncing between vehicles, so there was some multi-tasking going on. But I also noted that the original tech couldn't get the rotor off. He brought in another tech, and they still couldn't. They brought in another guy, later identified as a master mechanic by the SA, and he helped them figure it out.

The SA said that there were shims in the 4WD models that made it a PITA. I didn't expect that, and it kinda made me wonder.

I've done brakes before, and they didn't seem that complicated. This seemed like watching major brain surgery or something...

The SA told me that the whole rear brake assembly on the car wasn't right, and was asking me who had worked on it before. I told him it was factory, and nobody had. That also bothered me.

Still, price didn't seem too bad, and it all seems right now. I'm not sure what to think of the experience, and would appreciate feedback.

 

[cabowally]

FWIW, the book lists these labor times:

Rear Pads = 1.3
Both Sides R&R Rotor, Add = .5
To Reface Rotor, Add/each = .4

Total = 2.6




.

 

[jimithing]

I've never seen a 2wd rear brake assembly but I do have the 4wd and can't see what might have taken them so long. Also, I did the rear pads on my 4Runner at somewhere around 70k or 75k miles and they still had probably 50% pad left on them - the OEM rears just don't wear out that quickly. Something seems strange to me.

The price isn't terrible I guess if they did the work properly.

 

[MikeInNH]

The rear brakes are EASY. Far easier then the front brakes. Single piston caliper.

The hardest part is if you have to remove the rotors. But NOT that difficult.

The pain is the parking brakes. But with this type of setup...the rear brake pads don't wear down (Unless you drive with the parking brake on). I have over 230k miles on my 4runner...and the parking brake pads have about 80% life left.

 

[joshpsr5]

I have seen on some vehicles when they roll into my shop that we have difficulties removing the rear rotors. Reason for it is sometimes you get a lip worn on the inside where the e-brake shoes ride. Only way to remove the rotor is to back off the e-brake shoes. Which for someone who does not know how can be difficult.
Chances are it took so long because of vehicles in frony of yours. Also one thing to think about is some shops only have 1 lathe so if someone else is on it, your tech is forced to wait. One of the hardest things to do as an advisor is provide realistic wait times since there are so many variables out of his/her control.
Nobody wants to turn down gravy though.

 

[MikeInNH]

Which for someone who does not know how can be difficult.

You would think the dealer would know how to back off the e-brake. There's small hole in the front of these rotors to allow you to back off the rotors.

There are also 2 threaded holes you screw bolts into to that helps remove the rotors.

Again...these brakes setup..the parking brakes are NOT used to brake the car...Only to keep it in place. There shouldn't be any lip created by the shoes. The only way there would be is if the owner was driving with the e-brake on.

 

[joshpsr5]

Agreed. There should not be a lip if used properly. However..ive seen it quite a bit.
Could have had a rookie on this particular job, hence the time taken to complete.
You and I know about the holes in the rotor, not the majority apparently.

 

[MikeInNH]

You and I know about the holes in the rotor, not the majority apparently.

I'm NOT a mechanic...I'm a Software Engineer Manage. So you would THINK a dealers mechanic would know the basics about a brake job.

 

[wickeddreamzzz]

FWIW, the book lists these labor times:

Rear Pads = 1.3
Both Sides R&R Rotor, Add = .5
To Reface Rotor, Add/each = .4

Total = 2.6




.

The reason the "tech" was moving from car to car while you watched is called flat rate. Thats how he makes his money. You would feel pretty ripped off if he finished the job in 40 minutes & you see over 2 hours labor on the bill. If it takes him 20 minutes or 6 hours you get charged the same. In most cases this keeps things fair for both the owner & the customer. I recently moved my guys to flat rate to help with time management. Its hard to make money when your "tech" is watching rotors turn. I use quotations because I dont consider a high school drop out the same as a mechanic that has been to college and has real training & certification. I dont charge both labors. I either charge to turn or replace.