02 Camry Brake Job - Feedback Appreciated

[Witko]

First time posting so I don't know if I am posting in the right place.

I purchased an 02 Camry in 2007 (68k miles) and have had relatively no issues with the vehicle (Now at 74k miles). Regular maintenance, oil, lube, filter... etc.

Recently the rear driver side brake started making a grinding noise so I figured the vehicle must be coming due for break pad replacement, etc.

Being new to the area I live in I brought it to the nearest Toyota dealer to do a break inspection and get an estimate for the repairs.

I was a bit shocked at the sticker price and wanted to check with those who own a Camry if this sounds legit.

02 Camry LE (6cyl) Brake Job Breakdown:

Labor: $501.43
Parts: $598.40
Total Brake Job w/ Labor: $1099.83

Front Brakes Breakdown:

Labor: $68.00
Pads: $58.82 (Set of 2)
Anti-Rattle Clips: $30.00 (Set of 2)
Turn/Resurface Rotors: $64.00

Rear Brakes Breakdown:

Labor: $309.88
Pads: $52.05 (Set of 2)
Anti-Rattle Clips: $30.00 (Set of 2)
Rotors: $212.60 (Set of 2)
Calipers: $274.48 (Set of 2)


Service tech stated that the previous owner had the pads replaced, but did not replace pads with ones that matched the vehicle / rotors. This apparently cause serious damage to the rear rotors and calipers. Driver side rear is said to be practically metal to metal contact at this time (hence the grinding sound). Pads have cut too deeply into the rear rotors so there is no way to resurface. Calipers are shot and although passenger side may be salvageable, tech stated that it may cause issues down the road and should typically always be replaced in pairs. While replacing calipers, they will bleed/purge the brake lines.

Without having a local mechanic I trust to compare this with, I am not sure what to do. I plan to get some other estimates, but don't know if I trust the competition around here to use matching parts for my Camry. I feel they'll probably just low ball estimate with generic parts that will work, but are not fit for the vehicle. I don't want to substitute safety or quality for a lower sticker price... but don't feel to keen over a $1100.00 brake job.

I'd appreciate any opinions, feedback, etc.

As typical with bringing a vehicle to a dealership service center, I also received a laundry list of other "non critical" service issues to consider... which I may address at a later date.

Thank you in advance.

B.A.S.

[jayrguidaben]

that's a good price. almost everything new. that's gonna last you 80k miles again on brake pads.
unless you want to go cheap and change the pads at around 30-40k miles and hearing grinding noise again and again.
just go oem on all parts its gonna save you money in the long run.

[ASG14]

Any chance you can do the work yourself, or have a friend help you? If you were to DIY, it would cost under $400 using all new parts (but Remanufactures Calipers, same as what the dealer would use.)

[Witko]

Thanks for the response guys. I priced out parts myself and saw a dramatic difference in cost without labor.

A buddy I work with after hearing the quote I got called a friend of his who works for a local repair shop.

I brought the Camry in for them to inspect everything and they found nothing wrong with the front brakes. (Dealership must have just wanted to get some extra $$$.)

The rear brakes will need new pads, calipers, & rotors. I was quoted $475.00 for the entire job with labor. I talked to him about parts and they will use aftermarket parts, but reputable parts that match the car with good warranties.

I don't have the cash to pay the dealers price, so I am just going to get the local shop to do it.

I'll keep ya posted with the turn out.

Thanks again for the feedback.

I may buy another used Camry this weekend. Perhaps a 4cyl this time. I just love my Camry and after looking at a lot of different vehicles, feel another Camry is probably the best investment I could make. I happen to like the 02-05 Models.... so I am looking at an 05 4 cyl with ~50 - 60k miles. Found a nice black one for around $8995.00 w/ 61k and another for $9995.00 w/ 52k.

B.A.S.

[ASG14]

^ Glad to hear.

A lot of the time, a smaller shop will do the work for "actual time" charged on labor. The dealer always goes by "book labor". If it takes 30 minutes to change a caliper in reality, but the book says 2 hours, you get charged 2 hours. So thats where most of your money goes.

If this shop ends up doing good work, stay with them for any other repaires you need. they seem to sound honest. The mechanic I have is great. 1st time I went to him, I asked him to replace the front brakes. He looked at the car and said they don;t need it quite yet, and come back in a few thousand miles. That's howe I knew he was a good mechanic.

Good luck!

[RningOnFumes]

Yes, cherish those good mechanics, they are hard to find. As for the Dealor, only use them for warranty work. Gaahhh... I can't understand how people are willing to pay 70 bucks for an oil change! end rant.

[Gellenole]

^^ I like going to lexus with my camry for an change oil ... dunno about you guys, but even if they charge a premium, I get a meal out of it -- =) food + drink + TV = fun... though they looked at me funny the 1st time I dropped in, now they are use to it.

[viktord1]

Yea I think the dealer just "recommended" you to change the front brakes, though they still had life in them. If I were you I'd change the front pads as well, just for peace of mind.

[Witko]

Brakes were screeching like a banshee this morning.

Brought it in today at Noon to have the work done.

2 1/2 Hours later my vehicle was ready to be picked up.

Replaced rear calipers, rotors, pads.

Smooth as glass and quieter than ever before.

Total Bill: $485.00

It was hassle free/good experience. Car back to top notch in brake performance and I could not be happier.

Mechanic told me that the front pads had plenty of life on them, so I'll get to those when they are due.

Now for a road trip to go find another used Camry. After a lot of car research, I figured a second one was my best option.

Any opinions on Camry 4 Cyl vs the 6cyl performance and gas millage?

I'll keep you all posted with the Camry hunt. Found a few dealers next state over with some pretty good deals on 26-60k '05 Camry - $9,000 - $12,000.

Thanks again for all the feedback.

[ASG14]

If your going for an '05+ Camry, get a V6. 02-04, either or. I HATE HATE HATE the throttle by wire on the I4's which I think started in 2005. The V6's are not as bad. For gas mileage, both are pretty good. My parents have gotten 34mpg on thier '05 I4 on the highway at about 75mph.

[RningOnFumes]

Go for the I4 if you are looking for gas mileage. The drive by wire only takes some getting used to and if you are already a feather foot, it shouldn't really bother you.

[viktord1]

Yea if you are after fuel economy you should go for a 4 cylinder. But if size isn't an issue maybe you should even look into corollas as they are a little bit cheaper and even better on fuel.

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by ASG14

If your going for an '05+ Camry, get a V6. 02-04, either or. I HATE HATE HATE the throttle by wire on the I4's which I think started in 2005. The V6's are not as bad. For gas mileage, both are pretty good. My parents have gotten 34mpg on thier '05 I4 on the highway at about 75mph.

DBW makes for a slow as hell kick down with the 5spd auto, at least on the I4. I have an early production '05 (manufactured 11/04) and I haven't had any TSBs applied to it. But anyway, after changing my ATF it seems the trans is slightly more responsive. Using good synthetic oil seems to help too. They're both small incremental improvements but I'll take what I can get.

If I give it 50% throttle I can literally count 1-2 seconds before my Cam will downshift to where it should be. If I floor it, the downshift is almost immediate and will make the tires screech if I'm not careful. So..in an emergency situation, I guess I'd be okay.

OP - I'm glad you got your brake job done for a good price. Was there a charge to get an estimate at Toyota? My front brakes squeak a little under hard braking [I'm at just under 33K miles, original everything] so I'm thinking in the next year or two I'll have to take care of my brakes. I wouldn't mind going to Toyota just because I'd get a loaner car, but there's a smaller local chain that gives free estimates that I more or less trust so I'll be checking out over there too.

[ASG14]

^ My mom's '05 I think is 9/04 production, lol, 43k miles, front pads still have a lot of life, but putting in EBC Green pads next week and doing the rear drum to disc swap.

[Witko]

There was no charge to get the estimate with Toyota for the brake job.

The dealership offers a complimentary brake inspection. I just didn't like the price tag on the estimate. Not to mention the laundry list of things I "ought" to do but is not "crucial".

They recommended I change the timing belt at current millage (75k). Though I know I need to change it in the near future, I believe I will be fine waiting till I get to about 90k miles.

If the estimates at Toyota were more reasonable, I would have done the work there.

I am considering getting an Avalon as opposed to the Camry now. They have an '04 Avalon at the dealership I will be going to for test drive of the Camry at about the same price.

'04 Avalon XLS - 44k miles ~ $12,000.00
'05 Camry LE I4 - 26k miles ~ $12,000.00

I sorta like the '05 Camry body a bit more than the '04 Avalon, but would like to see both in person and test drive before making the call.

They have a few other Toyota vehicles I'll test drive as well before making a decision.

I'll keep you all posted and thanks once again for the feedback/responses.