I am planning on upgrading my rotors (all four). I have been quoted $600-650 for the installation charge. I have been told it is a 4 to 6 hour job. Does this sound correct? It seems excessive to me.

 

It seems kind of high.

Does that include the cost of the rotors?

If you are interested we can do them for you. for less.

contact me

jchen@streetimage.com

-J

 

No that price does not include the rotors. That is just the labor cost. Thanks for the reply. I will probably be contacting you.

 

5 to 6 hours? Sue those guys. They insulted you by giving such a rate. They show that they think you are idiot. Defenetely sue them. j/k.

To change rotor you need to juck the car, unscrew 5 bolts that hold the wheel. Unscrew 2 bolts that hold the caliper, remove caliper, remove rotor, put new one bolt everything back. I can do it in 1 hour including two beers and bleeding brakes while I'm at it. 15 minutes if my life depends on it. So certified mechanic with power tools should be able to do it in 15 minutes easily. That's for all 4.

 

Thanks for the reply. I did not think that changing the rotors was that labor intensive. The reason why I am questioning the price I was quoted is because it came form Performance Nissan. Performance Nissan has always been fantastic to deal with. They did my header install for $300 (now that is labor intensive work for a bargin price).
Stillen of all places quoted me $133.50 to change all 4 rotors and brake pads.

 

If you have a lift, air tools, and four mechanics working at the same time, then you could change four rotors in 15 minutes. But not by yourself. I agree that a 6 hour estimate is obscene, but a 15 minute estimate is just as silly. I think a shop should charge for about 1 to 1.5 hours for this job. Keep in mind that the caliper pistons will need to be retracted if the new rotors are thicker (zero wear) than the old rotors. And I would use this as an opportunity to bleed the brakes as well.

It's not a good idea to rush a brake job. And when making an estimate at a professional shop, you always allow enough time for the mechanic to do a complete and safe job. Rushing something like this is a sure way to end up with a caliper bolt that didn't get torqued down. And a mechanic who worked like he was doing a Formula 1 pit stop would quickly get burned out. And I NEVER combine beer with brake work! (Well, to be more accurate, I never drink the beer before FINISHING the brake work.)

 

Originally posted by DZeckhausen
If you have a lift, air tools, and four mechanics working at the same time, then you could change four rotors in 15 minutes. But not by yourself. I agree that a 6 hour estimate is obscene, but a 15 minute estimate is just as silly. I think a shop should charge for about 1 to 1.5 hours for this job.


But shop SHOULD have lift and air tools! That's why I said 15 minutes for shop. If I had a lift and air tools I could do it in 15 minutes easily. Alone. And I'm not some high experienced mechanic. I'm a programmer.

It's 7 bolts per wheel, nothing tricky, everything is very straight and simple.

Without power tools I quoted an hour. In relaxed way. You still need a good jack of course.

6 hours is still 6 times more!



And I NEVER combine beer with brake work! (Well, to be more accurate, I never drink the beer before FINISHING the brake work.)

I never combine vodka with brake work! Beer seems fine to me