Did the brakes

[dictum]

2007 Yukon Denali was making grinding noise so took it to a shop for diagnosis, they said rotors, brakes, etc. Quoted me $1300 to do it. This seemed excessive so decided to DIY.

Ended up replacing 3/4 brake pads sets, 2 calipers, 2 rotors. About $300 in parts in Advance Auto. It certainly wasn't $1,000 in labor. Unless the hourly rate is $700/hour.

Some shops take advantage of misinformed customers.
I think I will do the remaining 4th brake, the brake pads are not wearing, I suspect the caliper is seized, it pulls to the left. Easy. I got it under 30 minutes per wheel and it seems most of the repair time is spent jacking the car up, arranging tools, looking for the right socket.
A shop with a lift and power tools and all the sockets neatly arranged can probably do it in 15 mins per wheel. I am pretty slow but brakes are about 3/10 scale of difficulty.

 

[Big Mama]

Good job taking it on yourself. I tell my kids the hardest part of doing anything new is having the stones to try.

Other things I tell them to remove anxiety is to have all parts and tools before starting, have another vehicle if things go wrong, watch videos beforehand and take pictures along the way.

Sure there are jobs that require special tools and skills but you can do 90% of repair jobs.

I saw your post about a shop in NOVA, I’m in Roanoke so I don’t know any that far north but there are lots of members there who have recommendations.