INDY labor cost for R129 brake job?

[lynns]

I'm trying to plan the replacement of all four brake pads to ceramics in order to reduce brake dust.

I've decided to go with Akebono Euro, Front #AKEUR847 $95.00/set, Rear #AKEUR603 $51.00/set.

What should the labor ONLY cost be to R&R four rotors and brakes by an INDY in the US?

[tecqboy]

The indy labor rates where I live in Wisconsin are surely different than those in California. May I suggest that if you need rotors, you buy new ones rather than turn them down. They aren't expensive. Working on brakes isn't hard, but it is dirty work. Don't expect a decent shop to do it real cheap.

[ctaylor738]

IIRC, rotors and pads are 3 - 3 1/2 hours, same as a 107, because the wheel bearings need to come out and be re-installed in the front rotors. So you would be looking at $300-400, depending on the hourly rate.

My information is that the rotors can't be turned.

[Carlos Serrano]

The rotors are around $ 120.00 a piece, the brake pads are held by 2 pins. calipers are mounted by 2 bolts on the back side of the spindle, the rotors are held by 1 torx head screws in front in between 2 of the wheel bolt holes, they slide right out of the hub, it took me 2 hours to replace them, it will be easier if the car was on a lift but it can be DIY

[iwrock]

I did all four rotors on my SL600 last time it needed to be done. Toob about 3 hours to do it all myself.


^^Carlos has the right idea. There is a couple of bolts for the caliper and one torx bolt for the rotor. Its an easy DIY.

[wbain5280]

Replace them yourself. Pretty easy.

[lynns]

Is there anybody in Orange County, CA that wants to get rid of that nasty brake dust? I would like a R129 buddy to partner up with on a Saturday for a 2-3 hour/car brake job? I'll buy the beverages! You supply the garage, jack, stands, and torque wrench.

Doesn't hurt to ask!

I've decided to go with the following:

Front Pad Wear Sensors p/n 1405401217 $4.70 each
Front SA Rotors p/n 1294212312 for $104 each
Front Akebono Euro, #AKEUR847 $95.00/set,
Rear Akebono Euro, #AKEUR603 $51.00/set.
Rear SA Rotors p/n 1294230512 for $102 each
Rear Pad Wear Sensors p/n 1265402017 $3.50 each

[iwrock]

I am in the Hot Norcal, and have a garage with tools availible, but thats probibally to far for ya, and it would probibally cost more to drive up here than to have it done....


Brakes are an easy DIY project. I wonder if Benz LGB would be willing to help out if you offer him a chance to drive the SL.

[lynns]

Originally Posted by justinwrock

I am in the Hot Norcal, and have a garage with tools availible, but thats probibally to far for ya, and it would probibally cost more to drive up here than to have it done....


Brakes are an easy DIY project. I wonder if Benz LGB would be willing to help out if you offer him a chance to drive the SL.

Justin, thanks for the offer. You never know but I might show up. I have family and friends up in NorCal. Hey it looks like we have both had the same color R107. Take a look at my My former Diamond Blue Metallic 560SL

[iwrock]

Originally Posted by lynns

Justin, thanks for the offer. You never know but I might show up. I have family and friends up in NorCal. Hey it looks like we have both had the same color R107. Take a look at my My former Diamond Blue Metallic 560SL

Dang thats the color of my wagon!!!!!!!!!! I love the color. Looks good in any light!

My garage is always open to another forum member, known or unknown.

[Roncallo]

Labor for the brake job shouldent be any more time wise than it would be for your standard Toyota Camery or Ford Taurus. Unfortunatly once you show up at the door with an SL500 the rates mysteriously change. As far as turning rotors, I just buy new ones but then I do my own work. They are typically under $60.00 each for front Balos and under $40 for the rear. Unforunately if you have the work done buy any indy they will charge you list price on the rotors which will be over $100. The MB rotors are designed to wear with the break pads so if you can cut them at all it will only be one time. So this is really a good job to learn to DIY.

John Roncallo

[lynns]

Well the general concensus is DIY with new rotors!

I feel M-B has done a great job convincing 'the owner' that there car's are well engineered and important to go with 'new rotors and factory pads'.

Yes, my 29K mile SL factory brakes work great with no noise. But, it's the black dust that I'm tired of. I don't have ANY on my new Honda wheels.

Why is it that a Ford Taurus front rotor can be turned 2-3 times but a M-B rotor needs to be replaced? Not even one turn is suggested. It's my idea to turn the rotor in order to assure a smooth surface and remove any old pad compound. $160 turned vs $350 for new ones.

So far I have not heard of anyone having problems after putting a Ceramic pad with a M-B rotor. Only good feedback of brake feel with no brake dust or noise.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by lynns

Well the general concensus is DIY with new rotors!

I feel M-B has done a great job convincing 'the owner' that there car's are well engineered and important to go with 'new rotors and factory pads'.

Yes, my 29K mile SL factory brakes work great with no noise. But, it's the black dust that I'm tired of. I don't have ANY on my new Honda wheels.

Why is it that a Ford Taurus front rotor can be turned 2-3 times but a M-B rotor needs to be replaced? Not even one turn is suggested. It's my idea to turn the rotor in order to assure a smooth surface and remove any old pad compound. $80 turned vs $350 for new ones.

So far I have not heard of anyone having problems after putting a Ceramic pad with a M-B rotor. Only good feedback of brake feel with no brake dust or noise.

On my Taurus I was only able to get one turn on them if I was lucky. Since the price of rotors came down considerably in the 90's I gave up turning rotors even on the Taurus. I just replace them on all cars. First off you never know if the turn is going to be sucessful untill you do it. All cars today that I am aware of wear the rotors along with the pads. I belive that is because of the introduction of semi-metalic pads. Years ago before semi-metalic pads I just replaced pads unless they wore down to the metal that was about all you had to do.

You can turn them. MB calls out a minimum thickness.

I wish ceramic pads were available for the 560SL.

John Roncallo

[lynns]

Originally Posted by lynns

I'm trying to plan the replacement of all four brake pads to ceramics in order to reduce brake dust.

I've decided to go with Akebono Euro, Front #AKEUR847 $95.00/set, Rear #AKEUR603 $51.00/set.

What should the labor ONLY cost be to R&R four rotors and brakes by an INDY in the US?

What should it cost to have four rotors turned?

Yesterday I was having some work done by a very qualified INDY so I asked him to quote me the labor to install the $160.00 Akebono Ceramics and nhe quoted me $170.00 labor. So the total INDY package will be $330.00 and new rotors at $350.00.

At this point the rotors probably don't need to be replaced but I thought it might be a good idea to start with a fresh surface that doesn't have the OE particles embedded into it so I could use steal wool and brake claener to clean the surface.

He also quoted me $340.00 labor to R&R all four springs with either H&R or Eibachs. Have not decided which vendor yet.

[tecqboy]

I was also curious about cost so I checked on-line price of new rotors. $60 each for Brembo fronts and $35 each for ATE rears. (300SL) It costs very little more for new vs turning. I realize that a shop needs to mark-up because they have "overhead" which isn't covered strickly by the per hour labor rate. I've never had good luck with turned rotors: tried it a couple times on several vehicles and always ended up buying new anyhow. If they aren't warped or grooved and aren't below minimum safe thickness, I'd leave them alone. If you are concerned about residue, clean with very fine steel wool then wash with brake cleaner spray.