Just returned from the dealer with bad news:
They charged me $200 to sand my brake pads and turn my rotors with a note that I have 50% brake pad left. Next I was informed that my front axle boot was slit and they could order me a new axle for $700! Are these charges for real? Do you replace the axle when the boot splits? This group has been so helpful in the past and I thank you in advance for any info on this subject.
You didn't say if the brake job was for both ends or just one? Either way it is high. As far as the axle goes sometimes it is best to replace more than the boot because of wear caused by mileage or dirt/dryness from the split boot. Find a different shop. TG
The front axle was replaced on my 95 Legacy for 260$ (Canadian), parts and labour last year.
-- Dominic Richens | snipped-for-privacy@alumni.uottawa.ca "If you're not *outraged*, you're not paying attention!"
$200 is not bad if they turned all four rotors (it's not good, but it's not bad either). You need to get/provide more info regarding the $700 axle job. For example, what's specifically wrong with the axle that it needs replacing?
If the boot has been left for "too long" that could explain the cost$$$. Having to replace the axel is $pendy
Rebuilt shafts are about $150 Canadian, plus an hours labour. If no dirt has gotten into the CV, the boot itself can be changed (about $30 fo the boot, 1 to 1.5 hr labour). Even the dealer uses rebuilt shafts, not brand new ones. If the discs were turned, why would anyone put the old pads back in??? The old pads have to be removed to turn the discs, put new one in and you have
100% left, now you only have 50% and will have to go back and pay the labour again to replace the pads again. By the way, rear discs are fairly thin in most imports, rarely worth turning down. If they did all 4 discs for $200, good deal, if only one axle, about the going rate (need to remove the caliper frame to get discs off, clean everything up before re-assembly, so a bit of time involved). Ed B.
Thanks to all who've replied to me on this topic. I have to use the car to go backwards & forward to work, so as I could not remove the sprocker after 1 hour of prying, tapping with a hammer, spraying with Liquid Wrench & so on, I had no option but to put it all back together. Looks like the right hand camshaft seal has also gone. When replacing the oil I put in a couple of quarts of Valvoline Max Life to swell the seals, which will hopefully hold it for a while till I can get up the enthusiasm to try it again. I'm replacing the radiator, transmission filter & the idler arm bushings on a friends Merc 300CE next weekend, so it could be a while till I get back to the Subaru. Next time I'll remove the radiator to give more room & will probably try both the heating & the clamp for leverage suggestions.
Thanks, Chris
Just a note... NEVER GO TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS THAT ARE NOT WARRANTY
After that is said. Turn rotors $12 each at brake or auto shop. Pads $43 from auto store. Drive shaft.. go elsewhere. Dealer labor is very very high against other Auto repair places. This includes parts. Brakes, tires, and other normal replacement parts can be done elsewhere for less. Sometime a lot less. Get a split boot installed unless you intend to keep car longer then 2 more years.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.