Inner Tie Rod & Brakes...

[Turk]

Howdy,

Had my tires rotated & balanced today at Tires Plus on my 03 GMC Sierra with 150,600 miles.

Inner Tie Rod: They said my original left inner tie rod was bad and showed me the suspended tire rocking side-to-side & clunking some. Said I had a couple weeks left.

Tie Rod Price: $90 for the tie rod, $120 for labor. $75 for alignment.

-------

Brakes: I have the original brakes (that's right) and they said the pads are close (on the back only) and the rotors are thin and need to be replaced.

Price: $70 for ceramic brakes, $102 for each rotor & 120 for rear brake job.

Questions:

Are the prices OK or high?

Should I go with the ceramic brakes or something different? I want the truck to last another 150,000 miles...

Thanks!

 

[sciphi]

Nice going on OEM stuff! That's a lot of miles! And ~6 years to boot...

The prices seem about right for garage markup.

On RockAuto (I entered a Sierra 1500), okay ceramic pads are $50-60, plain rotors are about $60-70 apiece. They're not gouging you too badly.

I'd go with ceramic. RockAutp says ceramic were OEM. And ceramic work darned well.

 

[duaneb9729]

seems sort of high to me, have you checked at hoover wheel alinment?

there is one on east Hennepin ave and 35w or Lowry and Washington ave.

i have had work done there in the past and found them to be very reasonable.

the founders grand son works at the east hennepin location, my dad and his dad were in the merchant marines together in WWII.

 

[duaneb9729]

i have had several bad experiances at tires plus, i hate being lied to by repair shops, and they were the kings

 

[Turk]

Duane,

I seem to remember you mentioning that before. I go to the one in Forest lake, they are great and each time they show me an issue out in the shop. If there's nothing wrong, that is what they say. I suspected these things anyway.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Nice going on OEM stuff! That's a lot of miles! And ~6 years to boot...

The prices seem about right for garage markup.

On RockAuto (I entered a Sierra 1500), okay ceramic pads are $50-60, plain rotors are about $60-70 apiece. They're not gouging you too badly.

I'd go with ceramic. RockAutp says ceramic were OEM. And ceramic work darned well.



Thanks! It matters really "how" you brake for brake life............

 

[panthermike]

It does seem slightly high.

My mechanic would do that brake job for about 220.00(very fair guy) vs. the 394.00 that you were qouted and charge 85.00 for the labor on the tie rod vs. 120.00.

Also you should be able to get that alignment for around 50-60.00.

I also saw that tie rod on rockauto for around 40.00, I'm not positive if it's the same part though. I would check them out to compare anyways.

So, realistically you could get this stuff done for around 400.00 vs. the 679.00 that you were quoted.

 

[Steve S]

What brand are the tie rods etc? made in USA or China types?

 

[panthermike]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
What brand are the tie rods etc? made in USA or China types?


Not sure if you are referring to my post or the OP's but if it was mine, the brands are MOOG and ACDELCO.

 

[MNgopher]

With Tires Plus, you better have a good feel for the shop you have the work done at. I've been to three - one I will never step foot in again (emergency repair), another was great until the manager changed, and nearly all of the old techs/mechanics jumped ship to the location where the old manager went when they got a chance. Tell you something? The third one gets my business despite the longer drive.

Gotta be a little careful on the cost of the labor too - comparing the cost of labor in Phoenix to the cost of doing business in out high tax paradise may be a tad misleading.

As others pointed out, the markup on the parts is typical, if not a tad high.

While I like using Rockauto as one point of comparison, I also throw in that I have to pay shipping and wait for the dang part to come, where the shop is getting it delivered by the local parts jobber who carries the inventory in stock. Something to think about...

 

[panthermike]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
With Tires Plus, you better have a good feel for the shop you have the work done at. I've been to three - one I will never step foot in again (emergency repair), another was great until the manager changed, and nearly all of the old techs/mechanics jumped ship to the location where the old manager went when they got a chance. Tell you something? The third one gets my business despite the longer drive.

Gotta be a little careful on the cost of the labor too - comparing the cost of labor in Phoenix to the cost of doing business in out high tax paradise may be a tad misleading.

As others pointed out, the markup on the parts is typical, if not a tad high.

While I like using Rockauto as one point of comparison, I also throw in that I have to pay shipping and wait for the dang part to come, where the shop is getting it delivered by the local parts jobber who carries the inventory in stock. Something to think about...


I wasn't trying to "mislead" him, just giving him something to compare to. Main point being, this work can be done for less (finding honest mechanics with reasonable costs is even harder though). I got lucky with my mechanic, was sent to him by my dad and have been going there since.

I do understand what you are saying about location though, I have no idea what the rates are where he lives.

 

[Turk]

Yea, I thought this was somewhat high.

I'll get a couple quotes today and go from there. There's a couple "local" shops that may be better to go with.

 

[The Critic]

Those prices sound reasonable. You might be able to get it done for less, but if one shop has been treating you well, I would just give them the business. Perhaps ask for a discount?

 

[Turk]

On the high end of reasonable though.

They have a $10 discount, that's it.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: tpitcher
On the high end of reasonable though.

They have a $10 discount, that's it.


I just looked on Tires Plus' website. They use Wagner ThermoQuiet brake pads. I would not use those, as their performance is so-so and their pad shim design is questionable.

I would use Raybestos Professional Grade or Advanced Technology pads. Actually, I would use any premium pad over Wagner ThermoQuiet.

 

[The_Jeff]

The only thing that frosts me is the "couple weeks left". But if you see a tie rod clunking when the wheel moves it truly is scary-shot; I like to replace mine when the prybar is required to show the slop.

I have gotten discounts on the base alignment price when getting other front end work done.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: tpitcher
On the high end of reasonable though.

They have a $10 discount, that's it.


I just looked on Tires Plus' website. They use Wagner ThermoQuiet brake pads. I would not use those, as their performance is so-so and their pad shim design is questionable.

I would use Raybestos Professional Grade or Advanced Technology pads. Actually, I would use any premium pad over Wagner ThermoQuiet.



Thanks very much for that info! It won't be done there.

 

[MNgopher]

For the Thermoquiets supposedly being such teribble brakes with a questionable design, I've gotten very good service out of several sets of them. 70,000+miles on my last F150, currently at 58,000 on my Current F150 with at least a 1/3rd of the pad left. No squeeks, clunks, or other problems. I've also has them on an Explorer and got over 60,000 miles out of a set. I switched to a set of Raybestos PG Pads, and there was virtually no discernable difference in performance. Can't comment on mileage as they've been on for less than 10,000 miles now. Also got a set of thermoquiets on the Jeep with 40,000 on them and no complaints.

YMMV...

 

[The Critic]

I know a number of people who have had trouble with the ThermoQuiet pads, but they were mostly on import applications. When there are pads with more "conventional" and proven designs available for the same price, why risk it?

 

[mechtech2]

You don't get auto parts prices at a service station. That explains the parts.
The $120 for labor is high, but nowadays it is approaching fair.

I'd get new cheap rotors, and the best pads you can.
Check the rating on the pads, FF will net you great stopping cold or hot.