3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Since I can't do the work on my car myself, I decided to call my old shop.
Well, I called to find out what it would cost to have my brakes flushed. the man who answered said that they only like to do the Master Cylinder at $29.95 -using the turkey baster.
They don't like to do the Calipers too $89.95.
The reason being that the nuts are usually rusted on and they wind up breaking them!
He said that to do ABS is additional -a separate job with a separate price.
This was the place where I used to have all my work done. They are known mostly for fluid changes and tune-ups.
I thought that I would let them have this small bit of business - but since they won't do the whole job, I guess I won't have it done there.
I don't know of anyone around here that would be able and willing to do the whole job and doing it right.
sounds like the shop you were considering is full of knuckleheads. bleeding and flushing the entire brake system is no more than an hour and a half (at the very most) job. when in doubt, take the car to the Toyota dealer. at least there you know the mechanics are certified and the work is guarenteed.
You can use RepairPal to git local estimates and local shops that advertise the work they do. It will be up to you to figure/find out if they are a reputable shop or not. Looks like the cost fer flushing the brake fluid around here is about $74 to $92 (labor included...tax not computed in the cost) fer a Gen 4/4.5 Camry.
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1998 T-100 SR5 2WD auto, Roadmaster Active Suspension, 6½" dropped front air dam, 4½" drop full belly pan, 4° rear diffuser, 11" side skirts, oil catch jar, AC mod, aero cap, 67% grill block = 26mpg highway!
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Originally Posted by n c t t o r a
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The Following User Says Thank You to BamZipPow For This Useful Post:
they only like to dothe Master Cylinder at $29.95 -using the turkey baster.
About 10 minutes. I'd do that all day for $30
Quote:
They don't like to do the Calipers too $89.95.
The reason being that the nuts are usually rusted on and they wind up breaking them!
$90 + $30? As said, about 1 -1 1/2 hr. Breaking rusted bleed screws is a possibility. Torch heat will help along with PB Blaster or like. I use a 1/4" drive 6 point socket to break free, then use line wrench to bleed.
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He said that to do ABS is additional -a separate job with a separate price.
After bleeding just take it down a dirt road at slow speed and lock the brakes a few times, that'll cycle the ABS module.
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1995 Camry Wagon LE. 2.2 4cyl, 5S-FE, Auto, 187K
The Following User Says Thank You to Stillrunning For This Useful Post:
they only like to dothe Master Cylinder at $29.95 -using the turkey baster.
About 10 minutes. I'd do that all day for $30
Quote:
They don't like to do the Calipers too $89.95.
The reason being that the nuts are usually rusted on and they wind up breaking them!
$90 + $30? As said, about 1 -1 1/2 hr. Breaking rusted bleed screws is a possibility. Torch heat will help along with PB Blaster or like. I use a 1/4" drive 6 point socket to break free, then use line wrench to bleed.
Quote:
He said that to do ABS is additional -a separate job with a separate price.
After bleeding just take it down a dirt road at slow speed and lock the brakes a few times, that'll cycle the ABS module.
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1995 Camry Wagon LE. 2.2 4cyl, 5S-FE, Auto, 187K
All this time I had been doing brake flushes for friends for free....sounds like I should start charging $130 per car! Seriously though, this is such an easy thing to do, I could never see charging someone for it. Maybe a few bucks if in a shop, but that's even easier because they usually just vacuum bleed it taking a matter of minutes on each caliper. I think in my high school shop we vacuum flushed a guys brakes in 10 minutes whole car. That included lifting it, opening the hood, putting fluid in, etc. It's as simple as opening a bleeder screw, then closing it.
The shop rate at most places is around $70 to $90 per hour, so doing a complete flush (all four corners) for $89.95 seems fairly reasonable to me.
Charging $30 to use a turkey baster to replace fluid in the reservoir is ridiculous, and pretty much a waste of time. That doesn't change any of the fluid where it matters!
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1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
The Following User Says Thank You to BMR For This Useful Post:
I know you said you don't want to do this. If you are going to pay for the turkey baster approach, you can do this with less than 2 min (but like bmr said, it is worthless). I used a shampoo head to suck out the old fluid from the reservoir while I did my flush. So no point in paying 30$ for a shampoo head + 2.99 (or less) for something that is really not going to help you much. IMHO, i will take to a dealer (shoot me...)to get it done since none of your regular mechanics know/won't do it
The Following User Says Thank You to mail2_jb For This Useful Post:
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2006 Vibe, White, 1zzfe, auto ( Toyota type IV), AWD, PW, PL, CC, AC, 161,000(5/12/2012)
1998 Camry LE, 4 door, Puke Green, I4(5S-FE), CA Emissions, Auto(A140E), 122k(3/22/2012), AC,CC, ABS, Built in Japan 04/98. Grandmas old car(acquired 7/22/2011), work= precat Denso A/F sensor, NGK wires.
The Following User Says Thank You to Woodyg For This Useful Post:
I can understand their concern about rusted/seized bleeder screws. If one breaks you're probably looking at a rebuilt caliper if the shop can't extract it. And an owner can get upset at the shop. So I get that. But the dealer is going to do the same thing to you, and their rebuilt calipers cost a lot more.
Given the little interest from local shops maybe the dealership is the best bet. The only risk is that they may only siphon out the master cylinder reservoir.
I know it's unfortunate but I've seen owners pay for services not performed properly or at all - brake fluid flush, coolant change, ATF service and oil change (especially with the replaceable insert filters. Some mechanics just leave the old one in there!)
The Following User Says Thank You to JohnGD For This Useful Post:
One of the things I liked most about the old place that I went to was that I could walk around the front and rear bays and watch what was being done -they always leave the bay doors open in the summer. They also have side visibility from the waiting room.
I always deal with the manager. He's a real stand up guy who can get any car going. I just went on the wrong day. It was his day off. He's really not much of a talker just a great mechanic. He may manage the whole operation, but he doesn't own it. Any time I come in, he handles my car personally. That's how I know it gets done right. Any time I go in, I walk around to see what is being done and make sure that it is being done. He did my ATF and Differential/Transfer Case. He said that he was glad that I brought the car in, it was black and really needed to be done.
I guess all things change. Due to this lousy economy, they seem more interested in doing the quick jobs that they can price out in sections. They have another mechanic answering the phone -the same one who said that they don't like to do the full brake service.
While I was there last week for my oil and filter change, they actually told a woman that they could do a brake fluid change -it was the $29.99 turkey baster
service and sold her some other service too. She was so busy on her laptop that she just said to go ahead.
I actually know the owner- before he bought the franchise (he owns three of them now). He was the manager and an excellent mechanic. That might be why I always get what I pay for.
I am pondering what to do. I agree that if they(whoever did the work) break the bleed screws, I would be in big financial trouble. Calipers cost big bucks.
I am happy with all that I have had accomplished over the last two month with maintenance and repairs.
We just got the youngest son married off this past weekend and we are marrying off another next month, so I have to postpone car maintenance for a few more weeks. I maxed out my car allotment for last month.
Thank you, as usual you are objective. Thanks to your great advice, I am tooling around feeling pretty safe with my new Centric Premium Rotors and Akebono Brake Pads.
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