Brake job $$$

Wow, they saw you coming on that one.

I wish you would have asked us; it's about a 30 minute job for the fronts, another 30 for the backs, and requires nothing other than very basic handtools.

Yes, if you could do 'em on a Camaro, you could do 'em on a Saab.

I see that Dave has already replied with answers to your questions.

I'd just ad that *most* shops will not even install parts that you buy elsewhere. This guy apparently thought he would just screw you over on the labor charges to show you who's the boss.

In the future, I would either buy the parts and do your own work or pay someone for the whole deal (negotiated in advance). Don't try to bring parts to a pro mechanic.

-Fred W

"The Malt Hound" wrote in news:GoqdnWTfz5 snipped-for-privacy@adelphia.com:

I make sure that any mechanic I use doesn't have a problem with using parts I bring. If they don't like it, I go elsewhere. It saves money and saves me from being without a car while they wait for the part to come in.

Or that's another option... ;-)

So long as both parties are in agreement in advance.

-Fred W

A friend of mine owns a small independant garage. They will use customer parts, but don't like doing so, for the simple reason that the markup on parts forms a significant part of their revenue.

Me too. I go to a place that will use any parts you bring. THey simply warrant only the labor (rather than the parts also).

John

Sure, but you need to get that understood with the guy up front. Unless something went _very_ wrong, there's no way in hell that pads and rotors on a '97 Saab are worth 4 or 5 bills. Not even Canadian money.

Heck, the place I have do work for me finds it helpful when I do all the parts locating and sourcing. I also lend them the shop manuals as appropriate. Of course, when they see me coming, they know it's something inconvenient, unpleasant, or which requires a lift.

Yep, this place didn't so much mind that I brought my own parts in (to save time from having them ordered) but wouldn't warrantee them, which was fine with me. Long story short, I'm gonna attempt to do the job myself, any special saab tools needed for this? I'll try to get my bro-in-law to help, he has a shop and is a very reputable mechanic, though an hour and a half away.

I'll bet that if I were a mechanic and saw you coming, Dave, I frikkien run!!

;-)

-Fred W

...and they could get them cheaper than the customer can ... so the markup may not always so on the final bill.

Yikes!!

Takes me about 2 hours including getting out and cleaning up all the tools. Parts are about $60 for pads on all four wheels, if you change the pads on time the rotors will last several sets. No special tools required, just a decent jack, some jack stands, a torque wrench (ideally) and a basic socket set.

Well, the Saab master tech who used to do all my work, would let me use his personal car for the day when he had mine. I always made a point of making sure his tank was full of premium, and that I got a case of his favorite beer which I left on the passenger seat. Little things like this help, when you just stuck a guy with exhaust system or steering rack work, you know?

Dave

I think I trust parts from The Saab Site and eeuroparts more.

What do you th>

Ok now, brands. I have the option of Zimmerman, Mintex, PBR/Axxis metal/master, Pagid, & PBR/Axxis Deluxe. I'm not familiar with any of these. Is there one that stands out as good or extremely bad? I'm using Brembo rotors. ~GJ~

When I did my rear pads and rotors recently (Brembo rotors), I went with Textar pads (not one of your choices, I see). I ran across this website recently:

John

I've had good luck with PBR pads, never a problem.

In case no one has mentioned it yet, get a Haynes manual before you do the job. Cybertroll.com has them for the NG900. Haynes is not perfect and seems to "go generic" just when you need it the most, but you should have a "step by step" on hand to do this job.

Also, I am too lazy to read the thread... but in case no one else mentioned it: you should flush the system. Just fill the reservoir, have a friend pump them up, keep pumping and bleeding until you get new fluid out of the farthest wheel from the master. Keep the res full! Then do the other wheels until everything is clean on all four wheels.

Bob