Where to have brake service done

[grm386wa]

I'm a DIYer but really do not have the time nor proper tools for doing my own brake job. I've never done them and I've never had, nor do I have, someone to properly show me how. I feel much more comfortable having them done "professionally".

Out of the big chains and dealerships, where will I find the best parts and quality work?
Close by I have a PepBoys, Meineke, Midas, and a Ford dealership.
Vehicle is a 97 Taurus.

 

[labman]

The extra you pay the dealer may be worth it. The dealer's quote may include work the chains will ''discover'' needs done too. Your best bet may be a local, independent shop.

Actually brake reline doesn't require too much in the way of special tools. Rear disks do complicate things. If you went out and bought loaded calipers, there wouldn't be much to it except cleaning up the mounting surfaces and bleeding the brakes.

I can't think of much I use for simple relines outside a regular socket set except a 3/8'' Allen wrench for the caliper bolts, a C-clamp, and a tube of Sil-Glyde.

 

[road_rascal]

It's always good to find a reputable independent shop. Ask friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc if they have recommendations. The brakes on your Taurus are pretty easy to do (I have a '99). You'll need a set of metric sockets for all the fasteners. IIRC the caliper bolts are 12mm.

 

[labman]

I hope I didn't mislead anybody when I said regular socket set. By that I meant the SAE/metric set I always use. The only non metric fasteners I ever found on my 92 Grand Am were the caliper bolts. They have continued with them on my 02 Cavalier. It hasn't needed anything in 80K except a set of pads, windshield wiper blades and a couple of tires. I doubt I will find many non metric fasteners when it eventually does need more service. Great car so far.

 

[road_rascal]

Yeah- I have a full set of tools. But on my Taurus the front brakes use the metric stuff. Every once in a while I'll find a standard fastener but so far working on both of my Fords I've pretty much only needed to metric tools. Didn't mislead me

.

 

[eljefino]

Brakes are not hard and the bigger shops will have a seniority system where the "kid" does brakes. Using a small shop with one or two older mechanics actually means the odds of someone experienced working on your car increase.

Having someone 1000 miles away recommend a chain is foolish as they vary from store to store.

You could buy a haynes manual for your car to see how, there is very little to it. I've done brakes after getting over the mental hurdle of how important they are and have been pleasantly suprised at how well engineered and simple they are.