need brake job but ...

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ok so I have a good mechanic that I trust plus I actually consider him brilliant. that being said, when it comes to brakes, I've always gone to Midas for over 20 yrs. Last yr during inspection I was told would probably need brakes w/i the yr, so I went to Midas to get them checked, he printed an estimate and told me to come back around 5k miles later.

Spring break is here and I'm approaching the 5k point so I made an appointment w Midas to come in today. Skipping all the drama, the owner wasn't there and the individual who was made it clear he wasn't interested in my estimate, my need for a brake repair or anything else so I left.

The reason I'm posting and mentioned my regular mechanic is because I don't generally consider a brake job something for a regular mechanic. Brakes are a speciality repair and considering the safety aspect, I've always gone w/a brand w Midas because of their reputation, guarantees, etc. While I did have a brake repair done once by a mechanic, it was actually at a diesel repair garage duing an emergency breakdown on the interstate while traveling cross-country.

So would really like some suggestions here - should I go ahead and trust my general mechanic to replace my brakes too? try another Midas location? fyi, this is the Bronx, we have more crooked mechanics than a leopard has spots so there's that.

Also: don't front and back brakes get replaced at the same time or no?
 
Brakes are generally pretty simple.
As you stated, they are a safety item and have to work.

I would completely trust your mechanic over Midas.
Brakes are easy; YouTube brakes for your vehicle.

Front and back do not have to be serviced at the same time; they generally wear differently.
I would service your brake fluid as well.

Good luck.
 
I'm just the opposite. I consider Midas to be a muffler shop that took on other jobs to make money. If the shop wasn't interested go elsewhere. Any Competent mechanic can perform a brake job on either of the vehicles listed. If the mechanic is trusted and honest and he feels he can't perform the job he will tell you that.
 
Why would you not trust your "brilliant' mechanic to not be able to do the correct job?
Brakes really are easy to do if you do it with good parts.
Midas and most other shops like that are the ones I would not trust personally.

And as said, front and backs wear differently, so they only need to be done when they are worn. I tend to get 2x the life from rear pads vs front (and 4-5x the life if rear drums).
 
Brake are one of the easier things to repair / replace on a vehicle and fairly standard among all cars. Calipers, pads, rotors and brake fluid.
If you were closer to me I would have you over and help show you how to do it.
Only thing really easier is changing oil normally but some vehicles can be more trouble.
 
I totally agree with what the others have said. Brakes are NOT that complicated, and any competent general mechanic can do a perfect job.
 
Let your mechanic do the brakes. From what I've seen from Midas, I'm not impressed and they are the king of upselling(but not doing their job).
 
If your mechanic can't do brakes. He isn't a mechanic. My Freshman year of HS in my intro to Automotive we learned how to do brakes. That was 2013.
Its just a tad harder than an oil change, but it brings big $$$ because its a "Safety item". You could easily DIY IF you know how to turn a wrench.
 
Your logic is flawed. Midas has a large turnover of employees. You don't know who's working on your car this week. Your mechanic will always be there unless he retires or checks out.
 
Originally Posted by Bluebonnet
.. Skipping all the drama, the owner wasn't there and the individual who was made it clear he wasn't interested in my estimate, my need for a brake repair or anything else so I left.



I'm intrigued about the drama.

I've never heard of or experienced myself, one of these chain places not licking their chops over ANY potential brake work.
 
Brakes, despite their importantance, or perhaps because if their importance are quite a basic repair task. And if a mechanic cannot accomplish that task, I would not call them a professional mechanic. The exception here would be someone highly specializing in one specific area, such as only transmission, or engine repair/overhaul.
But then, someone like this is a specialist, not a mechanic. Mechanic is someone that specializes in general repair/troubleshooting.
 
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In addition to all the other anti-Midas drama, they *have to* buy all their brake supplies through corporate, giving you poor quality at high prices.

If you ever rode a bicycle and maintained its brakes, jumping to a car is very little drama. As said in the thread, stuff's easy.
 
Your regular mechanic can do them with no problem
smile.gif
 
On most cars, swapping out brake pads and rotors is only slightly more complicated than an oil change. It is something that a shop would have one of their less talented and/or lower paid mechanics do.

There are exceptions though.
 
Originally Posted by Bluebonnet
Brakes are a speciality repair....
No they're not. After oil changes, they're probably the 2nd most common auto repair/service work.
 
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