Well, my plans have taken a bit of a turn as of just a few hours ago. I was driving to my gf'* house yesterday evening when I heard a loud CLUNK come from underneath me. I thought it was a blowout, so I got out and checked, but everything was intact. I didn't hear the sound again until I was on my way home, then it sounded like I was dragging something underneath the car. I pulled over and checked, but couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. I decided to finish the drive home (less than 10 minutes) with the radio off and the window down to see if I could pinpoint the noise. I narrowed it down to the back drivers side somewhere, and I chalked it up to the brakes
So I decided to take the car in to the nearest shop (the one I regularly use isn't open on Saturdays, and I didn't think it could wait until then) which happened to be Midas (mistake?). I needed an oil change anyway so I told them to go ahead and look at it. Within 20 minutes of being there they had pinpointed the problem. Basically, my drivers side brake assembly exploded within the rotor and that'* what I heard. The big main spring had completely broken, there were other parts broken and rolling around, and the cylinder was leaking fluid. My lines had to be replaced due to excessive rust. The look I had on my face was basically this especially when I found out how much it was gonna set me back: $500!
I knew for sure that I didn't have the money, and my parents wouldn't be able to get it until later next week (They have a Primerica account). I thought I was up Sh** Creek without a paddle, and I really don't like going several days without my car. I happened to talk to my gf, and she said she'd spot me the money with her cc, and I'd just pay her back by the time she gets billed again. I owe her BBBBIIIIIGGGG time now. My parents agreed to give me the money to pay her back, then I'd just pay them back. So that'* where I stand now. I got the car back, but paid a hefty price. At least now both sets of my brakes are from Midas (Lifetime Guarantee).

Ugghhh!

So much for the parts I was going to research.

Did they do both sides?

Yep, sure did.

Good deal. Money out of pocket, but good peace of mind.

Now, do you think that was a wise place to go? Or do you think it would have been possible to get a better price elsewhere? Should I have actually researched first?

i have good luck at midas...

on my 88 celebrity had them do a ball joint on the front that need to be wleded in..

$92 labor and part.

Yeah, I've used them for my front brakes a while ago, an alternator, and sway bar linkage on both sides that only cost me $50

The New brake lines was your biggest expense I bet. They are not easy and almost impossible to do without a lift!!. I worry about mine now a days because I live in the rust belt, they look decent with only some spots of rust here and there, but it only take'* one small pinhole and you can lose your brakes. I had a chevette in high school that the brakes went out on, needless to say I was coming to an intersection with a car waiting in front of me (worse case scenerio), needless to say I used the emergency brake which worked but barely, swerved away from the car (I most certainly did not want a rearend accident) and I had to eat the curb toke out a few bushes sideways!!! and came to a halt on the shoulder of the adjoining road. I was very lucky on that one!!!

It'* probably pricey from a parts aspect, but from a labor aspect...not bad.

I just had the rear brake lines blow out on my wifes car (In sig) two weeks ago, on my way to work, and replaced both sides myself.

Brakeline work isn't hard at all and the basic tools are fairly cheap too. All you need is a bender and a double faliring tool (which I already had). I spent under $20 for lines, connectors, and line nuts (whatever they're called). 2 hours later, freshly bleed and adjusted, I was cruising again. Oh Yeah, you'll need a tubing cutter but if you can't find it, a hacksaw or a cutting wheel on a dremel works too.

The hardest part is getting the old nuts out, and finding new ones in the larger size (calipers, wheel cylinders...) because many parts stores don't carry them.


$500 I woulda crapped my pants