I've resigned to the fact that I don't have the tools or guts to tackle replacing the front brake rotors on my 97 Accord myself. I've got 150k miles and the original rotors still on the car have already been resurfaced once, so I would assume that should be replaced this time. I'm getting a pretty bad shake that I know will only get worse. Does anyone know what this job typically runs $$ at a shop? My mechanic is quoting me $450 - $500, which seems way steep to me. I'm in the Richmond, VA area. Thanks.

 

I can buy the 4 rotor and pad set off TASauto for about 330 shipped(for all 4 corners). Pay another 150-200 or so for labor on the high end of labor rates. I think your mechanic may be quoting you kind of high. I think it might be best to find out how many hours of labor he is quoting you for, then find out what parts he is using, if its not OEM Honda then you're paying too much.

 

Damn, $450.00-$500.00?? I know this job ain't easy, but its not really that hard its just sort of a pain in the **** to do; especially when the bearing/hub assembly is pressed onto the knuckle.

 

I had mine replaced recently and you're getting screwed!

I paid $500 but this is what I got:

2) new rotors
2)new calipers
front set ceramic pads
2)ball joints
2)bearings + labor...

 

RLoden, if I recall you're in Chester area?

If you can do the drive I'd HIGHLY recommend Wallace Automotive off of Research Road and Midlothian Turnpike. The mechanics there (John Hope and Aaron Williams ) are awesome guys. You can also purchase the rotors yourself (I'd recommend Bap Geon up the street on Midlothian where blank Brembo's are in stock and $40 a pop) and bring them to them for the install.

 

I had the front rotors & pads replaced on my 92 Accord EX S/W in 2007 for $270 by a local shop in Frederick, MD. I still have them on the car w/ very little wear. Mr. Tire gave me an estimate for over $500. I went back to them w/ the work receipt after the other shop completed the job. The customers waiting in line where all looking in disgust after hearing I paid less than half with a family own shop. A year later I decided to replace the rear rotor & pads myself for a little over $100. Break job is the bread and butter for auto shops. With the right tools, any DIY can do it.

 

I brought in rotors, pads, calipers, and wheel bearings to my local shop and got it all installed for $ 152 or $252. I'll have to double check.

 

Get this before you replace your brakes, after this you will never need a shop to change your front brakes. Or just get Acura 2.2CL hubs with rotors too, and call it a day.

http://www.tasauto.com/Product/Browse.aspx?d=266&p=2

 

Muffin Man....good to hear from you again. Yup...still in Chester. My wife got a new Civic, so I inherited her 97 Accord. I will go see these guys at Wallace. Need to get a price for a new timing belt too. I'm at 154k, so it's getting close to needing belt # 3. There used to be a place off of Genito Rd called Taylor Automotive, next to Woodfin. They worked on Hondas almost exclusively and my last timing belt / water pump was under $200. Do you happen to know if they're still there? My loyalty toward the family run business I've gone to for years is fading. Thanks to all of you for the tips.

 

I never knew of that place (Taylor) specifically but I do know of Woodfin. Wallace is 99.9% Hondas and only has 2 locations so it's fairly small. They did the H22 swap for me and do the maintenance on all the other cars in my family.

 

Arent' the 97 Odyssey front brakes the same as the 97 Accord front brakes?

 

Muffin Man....I just called Wallace Automotive......$450 for rotors.......$650 for a new timing belt. Maybe my usual mechanic guy isn't too far off...? The timing belt $$ really shocked me.

 

Hot damn - was that with supplying parts? They'll charge you the $$ prices. You should be able to source the Timing Belt kit from like TAS Auto for cheaper.

 

well, in their defense, that price was for them to supply parts and labor. I do feel better about a place that works exclusively on a Honda, though. I need to ride up there and talk to them in person.

 

So here is my point of view.

I recently bought Brembo rotors slotted for 75 and Brembo brakes that were on sale about $55 and if you spend over a certain amount, which I cant remember than its free. So go to Buybrakes.com

Please keep in mind that mine is a 95 accord WAGON. Also you did not indicate if you have a Inline 4 or a V6.

 

Yeah, I think they did my front rotors for around $200? That's when I did the NSX calipers and Wagon rotors.

I will vouch for their knowledge on stuff, the front desk guys have been incredibly nice to a known face - **** they let me borrow without paying 3 different OEM Honda belts to try to fit them on my H22 swap.

If you speak to the mechanics, whether or not it'll help you in pricing (probably won't) but you can let John (older guy) or Aaron (younger guy) know that Chris that had the White H22 Accord and has the Red S2000 recommended you go there.

 

Thanks Muffin Man......good to have a connection. BTW, this is a 97 Accord SE with a 4cyl.