Over the course of your vehicle’s existence, you will need to conduct a variety of maintenance tasks, including brake service. Additionally, it is among the most significant. You put both your own safety and the safety of other drivers on the road at risk if your brakes aren’t operating properly. Once you come to terms with the fact that you occasionally need to pay for brake repair, you must plan your budget appropriately. How costly are brakes, and how frequently will you have to pay for them?
The brakes are one of your car’s most critical and essential systems, knowing how much its replacement will cost you is also very important as brake pad wears with time. You can’t accurately stop your car in time without effective brakes. Therefore, it’s crucial to change the braking rotors and pads when needed. But the question is: how much does brake pad and rotor replacement cost?
This is why in this article, I’ll be discussing how much brake pad replacement will cost and how often brake pad replacement will done. You’ll also get to know the common symptoms of bad and failing brake pads.
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Let’s get to it.
Contents
How much does a brake pad and rotor replacement cost?
Several factors, such as how frequently you drive your car, the conditions you drive in, the quality of the parts you use to equip your car, and how frequently you have your brake system repaired, will determine how often you need to schedule a brake job. The majority of brake pad manufacturers and mechanics agree that good brake pads should last between 30,000 and 70,000 kilometers. Although some would need to be replaced every 25,000 miles, while others can last much longer than 70,000 miles.
The cost of brand-new brakes is an issue with no one clear solution, regrettably. Each technician sets his or her own hourly fee, and each manufacturer rates each part separately. For parts for all four wheels, you may expect to pay between $35 to $150 for brake pad replacement alone. For a total of between $115 and $270 each axle, labor costs normally range from $80 to $120 per axle.
As previously said, replacing the rotors with your brake pads is essential for the best braking and the highest level of safety. It can be problematic for new pads to work well, cause vibration, or make braking less safe than when new pads and new rotors are used together. Each rotor might cost anywhere from $30 to $75. Higher-quality rotors like Duralast Gold typically cost a little more because they are built to perform better than the original equipment on your car and have a coated hat and edge. For each axle, labor costs at a shop to change rotors and pads range from $150 to $200. In a competent shop, brake rotor and pad repair typically cost between $250 and $500 per axle.
The most expensive and challenging component of the braking system to change is the calipers. One caliper can cost up to $130, and multiple ones can cost even more. The typical cost of a total brake repair, which includes new pads, rotors, and calipers, ranges from $300 to $800. However, the cost of a full brake job might easily exceed $1,000 depending on the make and model of your car.
Of course, learning to change the pads, rotors, and calipers by yourself will save you a lot of money. However, keep in mind that your safety should come before money when you choose the DIY maintenance approach.
The prices for replacing brake pads and rotors on average, as determined by several online authorities, are listed below. It is safe to presume that these ranges apply to the majority of on-road cars. Brake replacement costs are often higher for luxury and performance automobiles.
| Parts | Labor | ||
| AutoZone | Pads: $35-$150 Rotors: $60-$210 | Pads: $80-$120 Rotors: $150-$200 | $250-$500 |
| RepairPal | Pads: $143-$164 Rotors: $168-$233 | Pads: $87-$110 Rotors: $136-$171 | $473-$534 |
| Kelly Blue Book | Pads: $96 – $113 Rotors: $110 – $217 | Pads: $118 – $140 Rotors: $91 – $145 | $282-$424 |
The following additional maintenance expenses are frequently linked to replacing brake pads:
- Brake fluid flush: $80-$120
- Brake caliper replacement: $166-$251 per caliper
- Brake line replacement: $156-$192
- Master cylinder replacement: $397-501
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Here is our breakdown of the actual prices we were given for brake pad and rotor replacement services at top U.S. auto repair facilities. The price ranges are based on actual estimates obtained from at least two separate sites for each automotive service chain or franchise for a typical commuter car, such as a Nissan Altima.
| Brake Pads Only | Brake Pads & Rotors | |
| Christian Brothers Automotive | N/A | $380-$450 |
| Firestone | $250-$320 (includes rotor resurfacing) | $350-$450 |
| Jiffy Lube | N/A | $370-$410 |
| Midas | $200-219 (includes rotor resurfacing) | $350-$400 |
| Meineke | $130-$500 (includes rotor resurfacing) | $345-$500 |
| Pep Boys | $209-$250 (includes rotor resurfacing) | $350-$435 |
Factors that influence brake pad replacement cost
By replacing brake pads and rotors yourself, you can save a lot of money if you know how to do it. However, not everyone has the time or expertise to perform their own brake maintenance. Call around and get estimates from a few different mechanics to make sure you get the best deal possible. In order to provide you with an appropriate brake job price, each technician should ask you the following questions:
- What Brand of Vehicle Do You Drive?
What Kind of Vehicle Do You Drive?
What Kind of Driving Do You Do?
What Kind of Materials Do You Want To Use?
So answering the question, how much does it cost to replace a brake pad?
The average cost of replacing the brake pads on a vehicle is between $100 and $300 per axle.
In other words, replacing just the front brake pads would cost between $100 and $300, while doing both the front and rear brakes would cost between $200 and 600. However, a variety of variables affect the price of replacing brake pads, such as:
- Vehicle model
DIY or technician
Is it Just pads, or more?
Vehicle Model
The price of brake repair will vary depending on the type and model of the car. For instance, compared to a large SUV, a tiny sedan may need smaller and possibly less expensive brake pads. In the event that the car is taken to an auto repair shop, the difference in size of the vehicle can also affect labor costs.
DIY or technician
Do you know how to securely replace brake pads without having to take your car to the shop? If this is the case, you might be able to save hundreds of dollars on labor charges. Just make sure you are doing the job properly, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you run into problems.
Is it Just pads, or more?
When a car needs new brake pads, it may also require new rotors. If your car really does require both of these changes, the brake pads and rotors will cost between $250 and $500 for each axle or between $500 and $1,000 for the entire thing.
The aforementioned figures are ultimately only approximations and differ from vehicle to vehicle. Use our car repair estimate calculator to find out how much brake pads cost for your car or how much it would cost to replace the brake pads and rotors.
Symptoms of bad brake pads and rotors
Below are signs and symptoms you’ll notice when your brake pads and rotor have gone bad.
Car takes a longer time to stop
Stopping the car is the function of the braking system. As brakes deteriorate, they are less effective at doing this job. It can be dangerous when the brake fade becomes worse.
You will gradually notice a change in how long it takes before you stop as you apply more pedal pressure. It’s time to get the brake pads and rotors replaced so that you don’t have to plan ahead to stop.
Vibrations whenever you hit the brakes
There is a problem if you press the brake pedal and feel strange vibrations. The rotors may begin to heat up and warp as the pads degrade. As the system heats up, the disc begins to vibrate due to this warping.
Replacing the brake rotors and pads could solve this issue. You run the danger of having problems stopping just when you need it if you don’t get the brakes adjusted and the system cleaned up.
Strange Noises
If you hit the brake pedal repeatedly when the brake pads and rotor start to fail, you might hear some squealing. This noise often comes from the brake pads’ wear indications, notifying you that it’s time for a replacement.
The sounds should stop if you take the advice and replace the brake pads. However, ignoring the brakes may result in other noises beginning to be heard. Any grinding or clicking sounds are extremely serious and require quick attention.
Pulling while braking
The brake pads should stop all wheels equally when you stop a car. Uneven-stopping patterns will become apparent when one side starts to wear out more quickly than the other.
When the brake pedal is pressed, the car may begin to pull to one side. If you ignore this issue, you put other crucial parts at risk of deterioration.
This symptom by itself does not, however, indicate brake wear. In reality, it could be caused by a wide range of mechanical problems, including incorrect tire pressure, a jammed brake caliper, or a broken wheel bearing.
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Is it safe to drive with bad brake pads and rotors?
Definitely no, especially if they are badly or unevenly worn. Regular brake system maintenance and pad replacement can help extend the life of individual brake system parts, support brake safety, and even enhance your driving experience.
The brake system’s primary function is to stop the car before an accident occurs. The stopping power won’t be as powerful as it should be as the brake pads and rotors deteriorate.
You are endangering both yourself and others if you can’t accurately determine how long it will take to stop. Depending on the part that failed, you could unexpectedly lose all braking power.
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What the video below to learn how to replace brake pad and rotor
FAQs
How much does it cost to replace brake pads and rotors?
The standard range for a complete brake replacement, which includes pads, rotors, and calipers, is $300 to $800.
Do I need to change all four brake pads and rotors?
Brake pads can be changed individually, in pairs (front or rear), or both at once. Your mechanic can take care of this problem on their own if your front brake pads need to be repaired or replaced. You should also be aware that the front and rear brake pads on your car wear out at very different rates.
How much should four rotors and brake pads cost?
Each rotor might cost anywhere from $30 to $75. For each axle, labor costs between $150 and $200 to replace the rotors and pads. The cost of brake pads and rotors per axle ranges from $250 to $500.
How do I know if my rotors are bad?
steering wheel vibration. When you slow down, your rotors might be in trouble if you experience pulsing in the brake pedal or vibration in the steering wheel.
Intermittent screeching, a blue tint, excessive wear over time, and other symptoms
How often should rotors be replaced?
To keep wear to a minimum, you should basically change your brake pads every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. However, to maintain the best possible condition of your brakes, you should replace your rotors every 50,000 to 70,000 miles.
How long does it take a mechanic to replace brakes and rotors?
It will take a mechanic one to three hours, on average. Brake repairs come in a variety of types, some of which require more time than others.
What happens if you don’t replace the rotors?
You run the risk of brake failure and an accident if you don’t replace the rotors when they need to be replaced. When the brakes are engaged, heat is absorbed and released by the rotor. More heat is absorbed as the rotor becomes thinner. The rotor warps due to the extra heat.
How can I make my rotors last longer?
Get rid of any heavy loads in your car. In areas of dense traffic, maintain a low speed. When you wash your car, spray your brake rotors to remove dust (which adds friction to your brake pads).
How do you tell if you need new rotors or just brake pads?
Vibration. Your rotors may be warped if you hit the brakes while driving at or above 30 mph and notice vibration. If you hear grinding, the rotors are rubbing against one another, and the pads are completely worn out. pulling, squealing, fading, etc.
Is it OK to put new brake pads on old rotors?
The vehicle’s ability to stop will be reduced if new brake pads are installed on a vehicle with damaged rotors because the new pads won’t make good contact with the rotor surface. When a pad is pressed against a rotor with deep grooves, the material is damaged because the deep grooves serve as a shredder or hole-puncher.
Can I replace the brake pads and rotors myself?
A great way to cut the cost of brake replacement is to replace your own brake pads and rotors. This is not only a great way to save money, but it’s also a fairly simple task that a fairly skilled DIYer can complete within a few hours.
That is all for this article, where we discussed brake pads and rotor replacement costs. We also get to discuss the symptoms, if it’s safe to drive with bad brake pads and rotors, and factors affecting brake pad and rotor replacement cost.
I hope you learn a lot from reading this article. If you do, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading; see you around!
