I had my truck in for service today and the Service Advisor said I am almost on the squealers on my truck. It is a 2008 GMC Crew Cab 4WD 5.3 I bought new. The brakes seem fine now, but, obviously, I need to catch this early to avoid some expense. Dealer man says a front brake job is $403.00, and that's just pads and turning the rotors and packing the bearings. Seems high to me. He says the factory replacement pads are nearly $200.00. I look online, and AC Delco pads are 40-50 bux. Are the OEM pads really different than the AC Delco pads sold by auto parts stores, and why? I have had great service from these original pads... 70 K... so I think I will use AC Delco again, but I don't want to throw my money away.
Just to give you a frame of reference, I have the same year truck in a Chev--also with a 5.3 with 4 wheel drive. I used my front pads up in less than 50K miles. My local tire shop did the same service, including turning the rotors, for around 200 bucks. I am sure they used non Delco pads.
Brake jobs are the biggest theft a stealership will commit upon your checkbook. Frankly, if you are a car guy there really is no reason not to do your own brake work on a late model rig. 45 to 60 minutes is all it takes me. Totally easy. On a "first" brake job I don't bother turning rotors unless there is modulation out of the front, groaning out of the rear, or obvious damage (grooving, heating, or the image of Rosie O'Donnell). Slap some new pads on; replace the rotors on the second brake job.
I've done my own work all my life. I was just curious as to why the pads from the dealer cost 3x+ what the AC Delco pads are at mass merchandisers. Is there really a difference in quality?
My brother drives a Volvo S60. For reasons unknown, he brings it to the dealership for oil changes. He calls me up panicked that the dealr just gave him an estimate for front and rear brakes. The price? $800 plus tax. He's diametrically opposite of me- knows nothing about cars. I told him, no problem. You pay for the parts, I'll do your brakes. You can buy me dinner. I did 4 wheel brakes- 4 rotors and two sets of pads. The price? $210 for everything. My brother was dumbfounded. He didnt realize that I knew how to do brakes. ou: A good quality Wagner pad is just fine IMO.
With my brother's size 12, I dont think Nasa could make pads that get that on his car. I think he bends the steering wheel when he brakes
My truck gets driven around the city like a cab or police car. I tow sometimes...sometimes too heavily. I'm thinking bite the bullet and spring for the OEM pads.
They need to tell you how they are going to " PACK THE BEARINGS " as the front hubs have sealed bearings in them ?????
skip the rotor resurfacing, toss some oem pads in it call it a day. ---------- Post added at 10:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 PM ---------- by putting aftermarket brake parts in that Volvo you just bypassed Volvo's R&D dept. which is committed to creating the best possible repair parts for his Volvo. depending on what year that S60 it is there has been 4 or 5 generations of pads. do you think Wagner has upgraded their volvo pads 4 or 5 times ? save the labor for sure if you're capable but please buy OEM parts for your vehicles.
tell you what frank, if your dead set on the oem pads give me the last 8 of your vin (trucks always have brake options) and ill get them for you a hell of alot cheaper even with sending them to you. dan
I have a 2007 gmc sierra 1500 4wd (new style) and I've done all the brake jobs and i use pep boys ceramic pads and when needed used their rotors on all 4 wheels. They were always good brakes and never made noise. Kevin
I got my new pads today! With 71000 miles and counting on the original pads, I can't go wrong with these. Dan, thanks so much for helping me. If you ever need anything down in Texas, just ask! Frank
I would run the wagner any day. When the factory upgrades 4 or 5 times, it's not only to make better brakes, it's also to make brakes that fit their standards and their cost standards. I've priced factory OEM parts before on newer rigs and after choking on the price, found the same part number by the same manufacturer for a fraction of the price. Aftermarket makes good stuff. They inovate and improve lots of the time. They also make price saving parts that are top quality. Sometimes way better than OEM.
