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Brake service cost

Old Jan 12, 2026 | 09:00 AM
  #21  
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Disc have or at least better ones each have a wear measurement number on them. It is not uncommon to measure a brand-new disc and find it slightly out and technically a new one could be turned to be close to a perfect..
As I said I engineer and machine from raw materials disc for BBKs as well handle measure and either return to the distributor or have them turned before they are installed on a vehicle.
Now while there is specific machinist certification there are also Automotive training schools that teach the how-to machine to true disc and usual have hands on training. You don't technically need either and simply be trained in how to use the brake lathe properly. See BAR regulation and also state laws under the BAR guideline. As well contacting any of the manufactures of these brake Layth will tell you the same and many offer when you buy them to come to your service shop and give a training seminar. No certification given after attending their How-To seminar. LOL
Why this is a debate is getting ridicules... I do and some don't, and I have the level of experience to state that is wiser to check the disc even new and also it is in some cases a saving for an owner to have the disc machine instead of buying new.

Historically and currently there were and are and still are Chain Auto parts and independently own stores that offer/offered to turn your disc and most had minimum wage employees.
Examples is the O'Reliiy auto parts and NAPA chain stores.

In the past it was 2 off the top of my head these large chain stores
Chief Auto parts
Grand Auto
Western Auto parts
Von Housen Auto parts


As for the supportive suggestion that anyone in a shop would turn a disc without first looking at the measurement values information on the disc is somewhat questionable of their experience actual level of experience working in any auto parts store or service shop that offered dis and drum machining? The newer Brake Layths from about the 1990s are almost idiot prof . The one in our shop you read and input the tolerance number on the disc and the machine automatically sets for the maximum cut on the disc preventing over cutting. In the machine will stop and you must manually over ride it to cut beyond that safety number on the disc.

On a numbers there are so few calipers replaced in any service shop from a badly worn disc and most calipers are from lack of brake fluid changes ,dirt , damage from impacts and yes a few from a lame brained owners that drives even when there is virtually no brake pad material left and they are braking on the brake pad baking plate . lol
 

Last edited by Callisto; Jan 12, 2026 at 10:05 AM.
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Old Jan 12, 2026 | 01:33 PM
  #22  
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"The newer Brake Lathes from about the 1990s are almost idiot prof "
In your shop yes, as you are a responsible and knowledgeable business owner.
While everyone is different my observations show there are far more trades idiots out there than ever before and increasingly so.
As this forum points out every day most people don't even read their owner's manual, so you see what you start with.
I don't want anyone working on anything I own that has only had a manufacturer training session on the manufacturer's equipment.
Been there done that and have often found the manufacturer training rep knew less than I did about their product and how to use it.
One of the best was watching chain saw rep demonstrating their new saw at a local ski area (I volunteered as ski patrol and trail grooming).
He cut down a tree which landed on the main electrical enclosure for all the lifts, and he wasn't going for a spectacular pyrotechnics display.
I got many more and I'm sure you have similar ones.


 
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Old Jan 12, 2026 | 02:36 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by Lobstah
"The newer Brake Lathes from about the 1990s are almost idiot prof "
In your shop yes, as you are a responsible and knowledgeable business owner.
While everyone is different
my observations show there are far more trades idiots out there than ever before and increasingly so.
As this forum points out every day most people don't even read their owner's manual, so you see what you start with.
I don't want anyone working on anything I own that has only had a manufacturer training session on the manufacturer's equipment.
Been there done that and have
often found the manufacturer training rep knew less than I did about their product and how to use it.
One of the best was watching chain saw rep demonstrating their new saw at a local ski area (I volunteered as ski patrol and trail grooming).
He cut down a tree which landed on the main electrical enclosure for all the lifts, and he wasn't going for a spectacular pyrotechnics display.
I got many more and
I'm sure you have similar ones.
Could not have said it better!!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^



 
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Old Jan 12, 2026 | 07:40 PM
  #24  
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In September my ‘21 CX5 @ 60k miles

$300 for brakes and rotors from rockauto
$400 for installation. 2 hours local auto mechanic Massachusetts

calipers would be another 1-2 hour of service + parts
 
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Old Jan 12, 2026 | 07:45 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by stack316
In September my ‘21 CX5 @ 60k miles

$300 for brakes and rotors from rockauto
$400 for installation. 2 hours local auto mechanic Massachusetts

calipers would be another 1-2 hour of service + parts
That's a very fair price!
 
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Old Feb 7, 2026 | 11:02 AM
  #26  
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I used to do all families vehicle's brake jobs but getting too old for it now. I have a very good local honest garage that I can give the parts and they do the install. I always have use Akebona pads and Centric coated rotors. Been using Rockauto for parts. Only 16k on my CX-5, so a while to go for the brakes.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2026 | 11:21 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by stack316
In September my ‘21 CX5 @ 60k miles

$300 for brakes and rotors from rockauto
$400 for installation. 2 hours local auto mechanic Massachusetts

calipers would be another 1-2 hour of service + parts
Their labor rate is 200 per hour... wow!!!!


Originally Posted by Alexmed2002
That's a very fair price!
Their labor rate is 200 per hour... wow!!!! so not really ??
 
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Old Feb 8, 2026 | 03:01 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Callisto
Their labor rate is 200 per hour... wow!!!!



Their labor rate is 200 per hour... wow!!!! so not really ??
The dealers near me want around $1400+ for pads and rotors, so yes in this case it's a much more fair offer lol.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2026 | 03:46 PM
  #29  
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I was commenting on what the op was specifically quoted based on the parts he said were being replaced.And if you read it was not from a Mazda dealership he was referring the cost to.

Even so does your dealer charge 200 buck hourly rate?
 

Last edited by Callisto; Feb 8, 2026 at 03:48 PM.
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Old Feb 9, 2026 | 08:22 AM
  #30  
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Average hourly labor rate in Maine and USA is $120 to $160 per hour with the technician getting paid on average here $34.
$200 per hour in Connecticut wouldn't surprise me at all, as it is the 8th ranked highest cost of living state.
CT coastal areas are great places to visit but very expensive as was getting my friends broken BMW K1200GT shift lever replaced when on a motorcycle trip.
And that didn't include paying another night hotel fee waiting for the part to be shipped overnight nor the dinner and bar tab....
 
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