HOW MUCH DO BRAKES COST?

Disc brakes work by having a caliper clamp onto a rotor that turns with the wheel. Calipers only need to be replaced if they are sticking or leaking, and they are not considered a normal wear item. Brake pads are the wear item that fits inside the caliper, and that is the material that creates friction against the rotor to slow the vehicle down. Pads are by design a wear item; rotors can lose material as well, but the pad usually does so faster. Most rotors usually require replacement due to warping from heat, as opposed to a loss of friction material like brake pads. You can machine brake rotors to eliminate any warping if necessary, but this is an impractical solution for at-home mechanics. Brake rotors are also relatively inexpensive, so even professional mechanics usually recommend replacing them along with the pads; since rotors have to come off anyway, the labor cost savings from not turning the rotors through a lathe are usually enough to compensate for the extra cost of rotors, and having new parts is always more reliable as well.

When you replace your brakes, it’s also a good opportunity to inspect under your vehicle for other issues. Rubber brake lines coming off the caliper can dry out and crack with age, letting air into the system and affecting brake feel and performance. It’s also a good idea to check your brake fluid as well; the hydraulic fluid that powers your vehicle’s braking system can get dirtier and less effective the more heat cycles it goes through, and replacing your brakes is a good opportunity to make sure that’s fresh as well. Look for any other cracked rubber bushings around your suspension, check the struts for leaks, and the control arms for any play. Damage or wear to these items may be hard to notice from behind the wheel, especially if you’re used to it or haven’t noticed it happening over time.

If brake wear isn’t discovered during a normal vehicle inspection or other maintenance appointment, there’s a few ways you can notice it from behind the wheel. Pay attention for a grinding sound when braking, or an unusual feel in the pedal. Some higher-end luxury cars might have an electronic brake wear sensor that will display a light on the dash when the pad material is low. If your vehicle has these electronic sensors, make sure you replace them along with the pads. They’re inexpensive and intended to be replaced at every brake service. If your vehicle does not have electronic sensors, many quality aftermarket pads may have a metal plate attached to the pad that will rub against the rotor and make a nails-on-chalkboard noise when the pads are worn down. While the noise is incredibly annoying and unpleasant, that’s kind of the point; replace your pads, and in addition to having a safer vehicle, the noise will be gone.

Replacing brake pads and rotors is a relatively straightforward procedure that most at-home mechanics can handle. However, nobody can fault you for wanting the peace of mind of having a professional handle the job, especially on a system as important as brakes. Labor costs always depend on the vehicle, but most brake jobs can be completed with about an hour of labor for each pair of wheels. Part cost also depends on your vehicle; trucks, SUVs and performance cars are usually more expensive due to the higher stresses placed upon the brakes of those vehicles, and the higher material cost therein. You can also upgrade to drilled and slotted rotors. Drilled rotors are better at cooling, and slotted rotors help the pad wear evenly and make sure it has a consistent friction surface. You can get a high-quality set of drilled and slotted rotors and ceramic pads, for most mainstream vehicles, for under $100. Most shops charge around that same amount for an hour of labor, so you can estimate a brake pad and rotor replacement on most common vehicles to be around $200 per axle. You may be able to save, at least on the parts cost, by doing all four wheels at once if they all have similar amounts of wear.

If you’re still unsure about what’s best for your vehicle, feel free to contact BuyAutoParts for knowledgeable assistance in getting the best brakes for your vehicle. We carry guaranteed exact fit brake pads and rotors from well-reviewed brands such as Hawk, StopTech, Duralo and EBC. All our parts professionals are here and ready to help!