1997 4Runner SR5

Hi, need advice on a repair job. We recently moved, & don’t have a new mechanic here.
I just got a quote for $2,200 for front brakes (calipers, pads, & rotors), & power steering lines,
at the place down the street. They said I also may or may not need a master cylinder.
That seems excessive to me, but I can’t be sure…I already found all the parts on RockAuto for less than $425.00 after core charges get refunded, (the shop estimate was charging $1,000 for parts.) Would $1,200 labor fee be normal for this job? That’s what it was quoted if I supplied my own parts. Any advice appreciated, it’s only got 180,000 miles & runs great otherwise. My husband has been doing our brakes for years, but can’t do calipers, so I’ve never paid for a brake job and have no idea if that’s an average charge for that work.

 

welcome

 

Welcome

 

Bee, I am no expert, but that price sounds excessively high, even for “just labor”. Sadly, they probably tried to price gouge you because you are a woman. They may or may not do that if your husband or a man went in and asked for the same type of service.

Bottom line, take it to another shop for a better quote.

 

Thanks, they actually gave that quote to my husband lol…my dad & uncle were both mechanics (my dad taught me to change a tire before he would teach me to drive lol) but they’re no longer around for me to ask. Seeing their hard work over the years makes me understand the value of the labor put in, but it still seemed really high to me, too. Thanks for the confirmation, I’ll look around a little more.

 

welcome

 

Honestly, the calipers are really easy on this car. I pulled mine and did the Toyota rebuild kit since I didn't trust big box store calipers.

For $2200, it'd be worth it for you or your husband to just get to the next level and do the calipers yourself.

The hardest was bleeding them but I think that's because mine is a 2002. I think your setup is a bit more conventional.

When I did mine, I bought all parts from TOYOTA and I did the entire job front to back. All new hoses, caliper rebuild, new pads, rotors, rear shoes, rear brake cylinders. I saved so much money even using TOYOTA parts, I just bought the tools I needed which was a set of flare nut wrenches and a brake bleed kit so I could do it alone.

What are your symptoms? Are you sure you need new calipers?

 

Power steering lines?

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! Get the parts from Rock Auto and get someone else to do the work. What's the deal with the power steering lines?

 

Thanks!!! It’s been a long repair story. Had the car for years no issues. Then power steering started needing fluid way too often. Got it diagnosed as needing new lines, before we could get it repaired went out shopping and found a puddle under the car when I came out. Got that repaired (transmission cooler broke and coolant got into transmission) Got the system flushed & a new radiator and car is running fine. Just doesn’t stop or steer lol. Hoping now the new lines will fix the power steering issue.

 

The front disc brakes on these 4Runners are really quite easy to work on, I'm surprised they quoted you such a high price, but that may be what they always charge since other brand vehicle brakes are notoriously more difficult to work on - they end up making up on 4Runners what they lose on those other vehicles? lol

Anyway, I can't really comment on what a reasonable amount shops charge for brake caliper work, as really, they are quite simple mechanisms. Did they explain what is wrong with them and are they wanting to "rebuild" them or replace them? Since they're simple mechanisms, they can be disassembled quickly, cleaned up and lubed properly, new seals/boots, new pads installed, all pretty quickly. But if they're damaged somehow and need replacing, heck, replacing them altogether takes even less labor time, but you do pay a lot more for new calipers than a rebuild kit.

I'd seek out another shop to see what they quote you, never hurts, unless of course the vehicle is un-drivable.

About your power steering hoses, those are a bit of a pain to install onto the steering rack, being able to access the connectors with a wrench is the main problem, but once attached to the steering rack, they route pretty simply back to the PS pump. I replaced all my PS hoses when I replaced my steering rack, and really the hardest part was getting the hose connectors attached to the new steering rack when the rack was already installed in place. So I could see a big labor charge for that.

Hope some of this info helps.

 

It seems a bit steep but that also depends on the area too. I was quoted $2500 for pads, rotors and calipers installed in my tacoma. Granted these were not OEM parts with a bit of an upgrade. I ended up doing the job myself to save the money as it’s not too difficult at all I was just wanting to be lazy so I got the quote. The power steering lines may be a little more difficult for the person at home if you’re not mechanically include with the tools to do the job.

 

Man i paid like $850 for pads, rotors, brake fluid flush and replacing my rubber lines with braided stainless lines (front and rear). That included the price of parts (minus the SS brake lines, i supplied those). I thought $850 was high, this wasn't too long ago, maybe a year or a little longer. Granted i didn't do the calipers, but your quote seems very high.