Approx cost of brake work (Pug 306, 1998)

Hi,

I just had our 1998 Pug 306 brakes checked at a Nationwide Autocentre branch and found that work needed to be done. I noticed that the rear brake drum was occasionally seizing after applying the handbrake. Seeing as the shoes probably needed replacement (probably overdue) I took it in for check - expected just needing to get the shoes replaced.

Well, the cylinders had 'exploded' (looked okay to me, but oily grime was all over the inside of the hub etc. The work they say is needed is - prices are from memory - although total is accurate):

Replace front discs (> £50) Replace front pads (> £50) Replace rear cylinders (> £110 per side - Bosch apparently, so 'very expensive') Replace rear shoes (can't remember the figure - but around £50, give or take £20 or so) De-lip drums (£32 - else will knacker new shoes) Brake fluid flush (£36)

Total £464 inc VAT etc

Does this sound reasonable to people? I wasn't expecting the front stuff to need replacing (pads replaced in mid-2002 by Pug, that was the last brake work done on the car) - although I had noticed that when at walking pace, when applying the brakes gently I had noticed a very feint pulsing in the braking effect co-inciding with wheel revolution - warped discs? I also wasn't expecting the cylinders to be > £110 per side! Apparently its because they are Bosch ones, whereas if they'd been Lucas etc they'd be more like £50 each.

I felt ripped off (personal feeling, not necessarily fair) as I had not expected such a high price, and was unable to negotiate a better deal elsewhere as they have all the wheels off and say the car is unsafe to drive (probably fair, and understandable). I also need the car for tomorrow (they say it'll be done for 5pm this evening), so no time to check with other garages about prices. I think its more then inability to confirm the prices and the situation (price, timing etc) that makes me feel ripped off.

Anyway - does this sound reasonable? In my mind I was expecting more like £200+ - although I failed to estimate the cost of the cylinders, and wasn't including/expecting any front brake work.

Thanks

David

Reply to
David Hearn
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The last brake work I did on a Peugeot was on a 405, I used pattern parts, prices were;

Brake disks £12 each Brake pads £12 Brake shoes £15 Rear cylinders £8 each Brake fluid for flush £2

It was all suprisingly easy too, half a day taking it easy.

Try a small independant garage, not a fast-fitup type place.

Reply to
Tony Bond (UncleFista)

================== Have a look here for some comparisons:

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The quote for rear cylinders looks very high; I think that different brands are interchangeable BUT check with a local shop to be sure. This seems to be a clear case of shopping around before you buy!

Cic.

Reply to
Cicero

I would normally do this - however in this situation I put it in for a check - not expecting the car to be then classed as unsafe to drive. I'm planning on getting a written quotation from elsewhere (maybe a couple of places - including Peugeot themselves) and if it was obscenely high, I'll try and reclaim the money - for what its worth.

£45 on GSFCarParts vs £110+ from Nationwide Autocentre. Must admit, no idea of labour charges - I assume they've hidden them in their quoted prices, so may not be directly interchangable.

David

Reply to
David Hearn

In message , David Hearn writes

:-O

Get another quote!!

32 quid to de lip the drums? Jeez, a quick run round with an angle grinder!

Rear cylinders sounds dodgy, but

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doesn't seem to list them, so not too sure.

Front disks and pads came to about 130 quid when I had mine done at the local garage (not a dealer), so that's not too far off.

Sounds pricey anyway.

Reply to
mike. buckley

In message , David Hearn writes

This seems a very common trick amongst the fast-fit places; offer a 'free check' and then claim that they can't release the car until the work is done.

I had the Citroen into a fast-fit place for a new clutch the other week (local garages couldn't get within 50 quid, if they'd been closer I'd have given them the work) and I made sure to tick the "no" box on all of the "would you like a free check on..." boxes.

It's certainly sharp practice, IMO, but is it legal?

Reply to
Steve Walker

================ It would be well worth getting a quotation as you suggest. There was a case (brought by Trading Standards in Midlands) which broadly stated that a customer is entitled to be charged a 'fair price' for spares. Although this case concerned a plumber / gas fitter I think that the general idea is the same - prices for spares must not be excessively marked up.

Cic.

Reply to
Cicero

In message , David Hearn writes

Ah, GSF, nice site. Looks like my garage gave me a fair price for my discs and pads anyway.

Anybody know of a similar site for Ford parts?

Reply to
mike. buckley

The initial problem I would guess is either a sticking handbrake cable, or the levers on the brake shoes seized.

Wheel cyclinder don't 'explode' they leak. If it was me, I'd off been looking to see if the behind the protective boots was wet, as it's known for said garages to soak the rear brakes with some penetrating oil to make it look like they're leakin.

If this includes labour, it's reasonable.

No offense, but WHERE THE FUCK DID THEY FIND THOSE PRICES? most I've ever paid for a wheel cylinder is £30 a side.

Reasonable.

For a quick run around with a file, or deburrer in a drill?

On top of replacing the rear cylinders, which they'll have to bleed anyway, i'd be telling them to take a hike on this one.

Given these symptoms, it's very probably the disks are corroded.

I'd love to know where they got that price....

The car drove in. As it was a 'free' brake check, there is nothing to stop you from requesting that they put the wheels back. All they can do is advice you that it is unsafe to drive. They have no right to prevent you from removing the car from the garage. If you are that concerned about driving the car, then get a recovery firm to recover it.

Does not sound reasonable to me, but then again, I'm a mechanic and would be questioning every decision they made.

Reply to
Moray Cuthill

The message from "mike. buckley" contains these words:

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list several, depending on which model. Some are cheap - some are very expensive. Since he mentions drums I assume it'll be a cylinder not a caliper. Cylinder seem to vary between a tenner and fifteen quid.

Whatever, the whole thing sounds like a major rip-off. You can get new drums for not far off the cost they're threatening for grinding.

Reply to
Guy King

The message from "mike. buckley" contains these words:

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Reply to
Guy King

In message , Guy King writes

I meant for all Ford spares, not just brake bits. Thanks anyway.

Reply to
mike. buckley

IMO, tell them to f*ck right off. They might have been right about the parts needed, they might not. They might be right about the prices (I somehow doubt it, I can uprate my entire 30 year old system with semi custom parts for half that!), but any garage that'd confiscate my car till I paid them to fix it would be on the wrong end of a tirade. Just tell them you are now aware of the risks involved in driving the car, and you are going to simply drive home at a much reduced pace whilst you consider what to do next.

Also might be worth having a word with a friendly small MOT place, chuck them a few quid to put it on the tester and ramps while you watch.

Plus of course, have a good look yourself, check if the fluid level is low, look for leaks around the rears, etc, just to make sure they're not pulling an ever faster one.

Reply to
Stuffed

Oh dear.

There's unusual!

Not really. Try to find a trusted "small" garage and ask them to check your brakes for you.

Si

Reply to
Mungo "two sheds" Toadfoot

I didn't read the last two paragraphs properly - I take it you've had the work done?

Next time... :)

Si

Reply to
Mungo "two sheds" Toadfoot

contain a pressure release valve and so are rather more expensive than usual ( like about £30) and they do leak usually at some milage more than 60,000 but before 100,000 and so the shoes etc need changing. The pads are arather too dear too. Try ringing GSF for spares prices ....... or a local Motor Factor ( see yellow pages) £110 a side ...... the magic mushroom season has begun very early this year steve the grease

Reply to
R L Driver

for the following work on a 95 306DT at a Pug main dealer (Hardies in Larbert)

new front discs and pads, new rear wheel cylinders and shoes

£280 inclusive of labour and VAT

This was with genuine overpriced Pug parts.

I would suggest they are trying to seriously rip you off.

Jim

Reply to
Jim Mason

Hmm, Peugeot in Aldershot just said that would be at least £400+ for the work, although probably slightly less than the £464 I paid. I'm going to try again with another Pug dealer but this time not giving them the price I paid before asking the sort of price. I'm not sure if they just said it to placate me (or am I just paranoid??)

Thanks

David

Reply to
David Hearn

Check out Viking Peugeot in Basingstoke the have a Pug Express Fit dept they might be considerably cheaper.

Jim

Reply to
Jim Mason

Not bad prices here for various motors

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Reply to
Mark

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