I got an estimate on my brakes today. WOW!

[7anshin8r]

I knew my brakes were bad. I've been trying not to drive unless I have to. SO, I took the car to my local brake and tire place, they have always been honest with me... so far. (there is always a first) but it turns out I need a lot of work. The estimate was shockingly frightening at $2142.70...... Here is a run down.

Car: 1996 240sx

Brakes:Front brake pads (OEM) : $57.86Front calipers (Both, OEM): $169.40Front brake rotors (Both, OEM): $135.44Front brake flex hose (Both, OEM): $69.60Brake fluid: $10.00Labor: $96.85Brakes total: $539.15

Front Struts:Left front outer tie rod: $125.00Front struts (OEM, Both): $451.24Front struts mount plates (Both sides, OEM): $228.28Labor: $149.00Front strut replacement total: $953.52

Rear Struts:Rear struts (Both, OEM): $271.72Rear strut mount plates (both, OEM): $59.16Labor: $171.35

Alignment: $54.95

So after tax we are looking at an estimate of $2142.70 (roughly)

I am pretty sure the struts do need replaced, and I'm sure on the brakes. Are there any struts out there other than the OEM for around that same price range? Seems like I could find better for less...

But anyway I wanted to share this frightening estimate with you as you all know better than I do what is correct and what is bull. I went in expecting to have some brakes replaced but came out with this... Kind of kicks you when your down...

[gumby74]

If you are mechanically inclined in the least, with little more than a jack, jack stands and basic tool set (nothing special) you could replace everything yourself for several hundred dollars.Easily less than half of that estimate. Using aftermarket quality parts. Remember, dealership parts have quite a markup to them. But if you must use factory parts check with Performance Nissan (mynismo.com) or Courtesy Nissan as they tend to offer more realistic pricing on factory parts.

[Slipstream]

D.I.Y.

[fourLUG_hero]

This is the reason I do my own work on my car. Shocks/struts if you're only looking to replace your old worn ones with OEM replacemets should not exceed 300 dollars for all four corners and they include the mount plates already. Brake pads are fifteen dollars a set for the front and fifteen for the rear. Remanufactured calipers are thirty dollars each. While rotors are eighty dollars each. If you can't afford two dollars for brake fluid, you're struggling.

All in all, to replace your suspension/braking if you do it yourself, it would cost $552 give or take for taxes. A hell of a difference from two grand for all "oem" parts (Nissan stops making parts for cars after fifteen years of the car's age, I believe).

[7anshin8r]

If you are mechanically inclined in the least, with little more than a jack, jack stands and basic tool set (nothing special) you could replace everything yourself for several hundred dollars.Easily less than half of that estimate. Using aftermarket quality parts. Remember, dealership parts have quite a markup to them. But if you must use factory parts check with Performance Nissan (mynismo.com) or Courtesy Nissan as they tend to offer more realistic pricing on factory parts.

I can't do the work myself. I just had surgery not long ago on my right shoulder, then right after I had neurosurgery to remove a tumor from my neck... That leaves me pretty much useless. A friend of mine has the tools and says that he can help me but he has no idea what he is doing... and he lives about a million miles in the sticks so if he screws up I'm stuck, there is no way I can get towed all the way from out there.

Doing it myself would save me lots of money, I know... I really wish I could. As far as OEM parts go, I could care less if they are OEM or aftermarket as long as they are at least as good as OEM. (I don't want to get crappy parts)

I had just ordered my 16x7 wheels and tires too... It's a little late to back out on that.

[srpowered240sx]

Car: 1996 240sx

Brakes:Front brake pads (OEM) : $57.86Front calipers (Both, OEM): $169.40Front brake rotors (Both, OEM): $135.44Front brake flex hose (Both, OEM): $69.60Brake fluid: $10.00Labor: $96.85Brakes total: $539.15

Front Struts:Left front outer tie rod: $125.00Front struts (OEM, Both): $451.24Front struts mount plates (Both sides, OEM): $228.28Labor: $149.00Front strut replacement total: $953.52

Rear Struts:Rear struts (Both, OEM): $271.72Rear strut mount plates (both, OEM): $59.16Labor: $171.35

Alignment: $54.95

So after tax we are looking at an estimate of $2142.70 (roughly)

heres what a normal price would look like, and dont think im making this up, cause i will sell you all this if you want....

96 240sx

brakes-pads-22.46calipers-51.48eachrotors-22.42eachhoses-20.09 eachfluid-6.99labor, do it yourself, or have a buddy that has done brakes to do them.

struts,tie rod-43.00struts-286.00 for both frontsstruts-173.00 for both rearsmounts-210 for all four.labor, do it yourself, or have a buddy that has done brakes to do them.

align, 50.00

total....

1079.00

even then, you would be better off. talk to some buddies, you can do all this yourself really easy.

[Rex]

Isn't there some NICO guys in Gainesville, that would do this for a few beers (assuming of age) and some pizza??

[7anshin8r]

Isn't there some NICO guys in Gainesville, that would do this for a few beers (assuming of age) and some pizza??

Beer and pizza I can afford, but alas I know no one in Gainesville... All my family is from NC or I would have one of them help me. Hell, I would love to meet some local NICO people.

[CRyan]

theres plenty of NICOnauts in the Gainesville area!!

If i had a decent running car I'd come down and help for REAL!! Roaddd trrriiipppp!

[ken240sx]

Come on people this thread needs to be bumped. It's a simple brake job and suspension. It will take about 8-10 hours or so, who lives close to him that can help? I'd jump on this **** if I was in FL. I know there's plenty of guys in FL that know how to do brakes and suspension. There should be no need for him to pay almost a grand more than he should.

OP buy some decent coilovers online for like 800, and then go to your local auto store and grab the calipers, rotors, pads, and whatever flex hose they said you needed for it. That should run you around 400 bucks. So you'll be sitting at 1200. You'll have money to pay someone to dot he work for you other than a garage...hell ask a guy at the garage if he wants to make 200 bucks to do the work for you off the clock. I'm sure there's plenty of people that will take that offer. I'm willing to bet that he's making half that at most per day doing the same thing.

[idahotuner]

just the cost of new brakes is what i am spending on myZ32 brake upgrade for my 240.

[KFL]

Isn't there some NICO guys in Gainesville, that would do this for a few beers (assuming of age) and some pizza??

+2Also there are alot of things listed I would be inclined to have rechecked. Front brake hose..i've only know them to go bad when from VERY bad rust even then. (I sold 1 stock line for 1 dollar) Calipers don't need to be changed unless they are seized,boot torn,if they're sticking just remove pins and relube.

[240life]

If your buddy does the brakes to get you by for a bit it would be less then 300.Come to think of it unless your calipers are jacked up (torn leaking) you shouldn't have to replace them and could do it cheaper..I'm not sure if the 96 240 has the pistons that you have to twist in place like the earlier s13 does but other than that it is a simple brake change

The front struts are more time consuming than anything..1) go to parts store and get spring compressor2)Jackup car and place jack stands under chassis and chock wheels3)remove caliper from bracket to get it out of the way4)undo the 2 large bolts holding bottom of strut to suspension your going to need a wrench and a breaker bar for this5)remove the 3 12mm bolts holding strut to tower6)slide strut/spring combo out7)install spring compressors and tighten collapseing spring about 1 inch8)using care not to hit compressors of spring remove the bolt in the center holding assembly together9) loosen compressors dis assemble unit10)place spring in perch of new strut making sure to align it correctly11)install compressors and compress spring about 2 inches 12)install top perch and any other bushings from old strut and tighten boltthat is your assembled strut....your buddy could do that with simple toolsand there isn't much to break now all you have to do is slide strut assemblyinto place and torque your bolts down and reinstall your caliper....repeat for other side.your last step is take it to your mech have them replace the tierod and align the car....I know what it's like to be living with a back injury, 3 years ago i had one of my disks partially removed. I wish you the best of luck with your recovery and with your car

[leveloneae86]

break job was the first thing i ever did to my car when i first got it. from then on i learned how to install coilovers myself. all u need to do is have some type of a guide. all is ismply bolt on and bolt of using the right steps. find another place or get parts urself first if its too expensive

[amolao]

Midas and Meineke=rip offs...

If I was closer, I drive down and help you with this. Something you can try is to buy the parts yourself and find a local mechanic that can do it for a lot less. Is there a vocational school that can maybe lend you a hand at something like this. I know there's got to be some local NICO member in your area.....

[chaosli]

my friend got my kyb sturnts (whichi think it was better than the stock ones) for my bmw for 220 for both of them so i am sure your'll find better but again my friend is a mechanic and he did give me his price.

[cbt240sx]

Holy Crap! An estimate like is just the motivation you need to DIY!!!!

[Clawhammer]

I could help out for some beer and pizza! What is the time frame on this, Exams start next week through the first week of May.

Brakes can't be harder than my z32 swap, except I HATE bleeding lol.

The tie rods though I've never done so I can't say. In fact I've got a set of inner/ outter tie rods from Circuit Sports sitting on my desk since January, I just haven't had the time I can devote to getting under the car and figuring out how to replace them. They're the last peice of my adjustable suspension to go on...if they get on.

And honestly, if you're going to spend that much on struts you might as well get some Megan Street coilovers.

[sweets13]

For real, someone help this dude out. That quote is for the cost of an SR swap! If no one can help you out, take all the advise given and buy your own parts. Take it to a reputable indie and have em do it for way less labor.

[ken240sx]

The tie rods though I've never done so I can't say.

Don't worry they are just as easy as the brakes. They just have a cotter pin and castle nut and then they thread off. The inners aren't much worse. The only thing that sucks is that you have to get an alignment after you install them. But the funny thing was when I replaced my drivers side tie rod it was almost dead on and the passenger side was the side that we actually had to mess with. It won't always come out as good as that so it's best to get it aligned soon after the install

Oh, you may need a mallet to bang out the old tie rod cause even after you get the pin out and castle there are ridges on it that are holding it snugly in, so just bang the top of it a bit lol. The first time I did it I didn't want to be too hard on it, but then I just said f*** it and hit the mf as hard as i could and it popped right out lol.

[CRyan]

Screw this! I'm taking a road trip!! Honestly - email me and we can set up a date!

As long as you have all the tools and air compressor quite possibly, were good to go - like I said, just shoot me an email and we'll talk it out.

I don't want to see another 240 down!!

[7anshin8r]

This is why NICO is the best. You guys are willing to help out, not a lot of people I have met are so nice. Thank you! What I need to do is get some struts and brakes ordered. I don't know what struts are good, I heard KYB listed above, and Megan Street Coilovers. I'll search around and see what prices I can find.

I honestly have never met a better group of people than you folks here at NICO. It's just a lot of good information and very little drama going on.

-Josh

[hilux30]

I have a shop here in AZ, the brakes sounds about right (assuming you need all that, why you need calipers?) I can understand rotors but calip. are good unless leaking or not sliding on the pins. BUT the front struts is a little pricy, that is how much I paid for set of Tokicos and tein springs, and still had money to spare. The problem with most shops is that OEM is not clear. All the pricing is OK as long you don't get cheap quality parts, u get what I'm saying? make sure he don't slap inferior stuff like gabriel struts and pep-boyz pads and so on.

[hilux30]

I have a shop here in AZ, the brakes sounds about right (assuming you need all that, why you need calipers?) I can understand rotors but calip. are good unless leaking or not sliding on the pins. BUT the front struts is a little pricy, that is how much I paid for set of Tokicos and tein springs, and still had money to spare. The problem with most shops is that OEM is not clear. All the pricing is OK as long you don't get cheap quality parts, u get what I'm saying? make sure he don't slap inferior stuff like gabriel struts and pep-boyz pads and so on. if i was there I could of done all this for half as much , labor included.

[240sx_Guy]

diy ftwi started just messing around on my car to learnnext thing you know i am doing my sisters suspension (shocks springs and bushings), tie rods. brakes, electrical, body for my car. learning to weld also.

just dig in have fun and learn

the stuff you need done is simple

[98s14inaz]

I knew my brakes were bad. I've been trying not to drive unless I have to. SO, I took the car to my local brake and tire place, they have always been honest with me... so far. (there is always a first) but it turns out I need a lot of work. The estimate was shockingly frightening at $2142.70...... Here is a run down.

Car: 1996 240sx

Brakes:Front brake pads (OEM) : $57.86Front calipers (Both, OEM): $169.40Front brake rotors (Both, OEM): $135.44Front brake flex hose (Both, OEM): $69.60Brake fluid: $10.00Labor: $96.85Brakes total: $539.15

Front Struts:Left front outer tie rod: $125.00Front struts (OEM, Both): $451.24Front struts mount plates (Both sides, OEM): $228.28Labor: $149.00Front strut replacement total: $953.52

Rear Struts:Rear struts (Both, OEM): $271.72Rear strut mount plates (both, OEM): $59.16Labor: $171.35

Alignment: $54.95

So after tax we are looking at an estimate of $2142.70 (roughly)

I am pretty sure the struts do need replaced, and I'm sure on the brakes. Are there any struts out there other than the OEM for around that same price range? Seems like I could find better for less...

But anyway I wanted to share this frightening estimate with you as you all know better than I do what is correct and what is bull. I went in expecting to have some brakes replaced but came out with this... Kind of kicks you when your down...

Holy PIIYA batman!!! Time to learn how to work on your car. A retarded monkey could do it for less than half that price.

[ken240sx]

Keep in mind, the parts business is shady, The shops will usually get their parts from autozone/advanced auto/pep boys/checker/etc. at roughly a 15-40% discount and then sell it to you for retail. When I worked at advanced auto the commercial accounts would always call in and ask what their price was, and then what list price was...and list price is more expensive than our normal price. The screen shows normal customer price, commercial account price, and list price...list price is supposed to be the retail. All those prices listed that they gave you you can pick up fromt he same places they would and for 10-30% less than the garage will charge you. A big chunk of money garages make is in the price mark-up. I hate how shady the parts and repair business is but that's life. It would be like $500 cheaper to just buy your own parts and have the shop install it and pay them for just labor, but at $50-80/hour for labor I'd definitely get someone to do it for you and you'll end up paying them less than half that.

[Clawhammer]

I assume the tie rods are easy, I was just saying I can't speak from experience.

Really if you're going to pay 6-700 for shocks, just step up and get some entry level coilovers. You won't regret it. My coilovers are probably one of the best mods on my car.

An air compressor isn't really necessary. Pretty helpful, sure. I've got a set of impact sockets if you do have one and a "air rattle gun" as my coilover manual calls it. Otherwise I've probably got almost all the wrenches and **** needed.

Oh and if you're gonna do this get a 10mm brake line wrench because a normal 10mm doesn't work. Just ask all my brake lines after my z-brake swap!

[2ndnissan]

I had a liver transplant almost two years ago and the HARDEST part was not being able to do stuff for myself. I hated that. If you weren't four hours away I'd drive up and help. These guys are right though. Some mechanic would do it off the clock for a lot cheaper if you got the parts. The men's group at out church has two mechanics that will fix cars for widows and people with health problems. You might could get help through that kind of route even. Good luck with getting them fixed and let us know how you finally got it done.

[7anshin8r]

I had a liver transplant almost two years ago and the HARDEST part was not being able to do stuff for myself. I hated that. If you weren't four hours away I'd drive up and help. These guys are right though. Some mechanic would do it off the clock for a lot cheaper if you got the parts. The men's group at out church has two mechanics that will fix cars for widows and people with health problems. You might could get help through that kind of route even. Good luck with getting them fixed and let us know how you finally got it done.

Not being able to do things myself... You are 100% dead on with that one. I HATE not being able to just go do things myself, asking for help has never been one of my strong points. I was brought up with a mindset that if you can't do it yourself you just don't do it... Screwed up a little but I get what my mother was going at, I guess.

Since it was a few years ago I suspect everything has gone good for you, I hope that to be true. I wish you luck and I hope you never ever ever have to go through another surgery!