2021 Forester (64 K) - Brake Service Cost

[dntaylor]

Hello,
Trying to understand if I should let the dealership perform brake service (front and back) for pad replacement and rotor resurface/replace.

I have a 2021 Forester Premier with 64K.

Here are questions I am in the process of learning:
1. Is there anything special about the braking system that an non-dealership location will have trouble with?
2. What is the expected cost for the front and back?
3. I called one dealership's service department. They said to just replace the rotor without looking at it. I think this is odd,
but, maybe, this is standard for the Subaru. Any thought?

Thanks,
dntaylor

 

[Dick Foster]

Your dealership may not have the equipment to resurface brake rotors. Most dealership service departments are parts swappers and not real mechanics.
Ask them to do real service like a top overhaul or something and they'll choke every time because the lack the ability and in depth knowledge required. They do what the service manual says, in the alloted time and that's the extent of their ability.

 

[pete]

A reputable independent shop can handle it; expect $500 - $900 total, and replacing rotors without inspection is unnecessary.

 

[draganm]

about $450. per axle last time i checked is typical using quality parts, probly more today. My original factory front brakes 2006 impreza went 150k miles, but it's a light car, and i don't come to screeching stops at evry light like most divers.
the rotors on modern brakes tpically wear out same time as the pads, they're thinner and lighter than what was used in the past to save weight/improve fleet gas mileage. I don't think they're turneable and if you turn them and they are still barely above the minimum thikness they will probably warp = pulsing brake pedal

 

[sfhess]

I changed pads at all four wheels on my 2019 Outback Premium a few years ago. Rotors were fine. Cost of pads was less than $100 and it took me about an hour to change all the pads, working in my driveway.

 

[draganm]

yes it's pretty easy to do. i recently did all 4 wheels pads and rotors 2006 impreza for $245. parts from amazon. Cheap, import parts but at 246K miles even cheapo parts will likely outlast the car at this point.

 

[wv109323]

I know a lady that had pads and rotors changed at Subaru dealership that was $700 dollars. I ordered pads and rotors from Rock auto for $200 and did the work myself.

 

[draganm]

I know a lady that had pads and rotors changed at Subaru dealership that was $700 dollars. I ordered pads and rotors from Rock auto for $200 and did the work myself.

yeah but does Rock auto have a nice waiting room with hot drip coffee and little cookies in individual wrappers, i think NOT!

Kidding aside, i'm not sure where the money goes? the dealerships don't pay their tech's much at all. there might be 1 or 2 guys who are reasonably paid and know something, the rest are just just of out tech school hoping to make book-time on the repairs and praying they don't make a mistake that will come out of their meager paychecks. The whole thing is sad
luckily in Colorado every other car on the road is a subaru, so we have a few shops that specialize in Subaru and are very fair, not cheap like rock Auto DIY cheap, but i've never had a complaint with their costs either,

 

[Dick Foster]

I've got a very good mechanic who does only Subi and Toyotas here too. As you do, we also have lots of Suburus and usually a lot of snow in the winter. I'll be moving to Florida sometime soon, but I don't expect to see nearly as many Suburus on the roads there.

 

[draganm]

just came back from Arizona, i don't think i saw any Subes. lots of Toyota, mazda, Nissan, and some "domestic" stuff like Furds and chebbies

 

[Dick Foster]

Arizonia is pretty big into off roading so you might find a few. However, I was into rock crawling and there is nothing avaliable in any brand or make that is suitable for that, that is factory made or avaliable in stock form and that includes Heeps (Jeep). A lot have gone over to so called side by sides of late but even those don't approach the extremes that some get into.

 

[Grumpy1950]

The electric parking brake may require the use of a bi-directional scanner to enter and exit service mode to service the rear brakes. I also believe that a special tool is required to retract the caliper pistons, as they do not push in, but have to be turned to retract. As for rotor replacement, they may not need replacement, but modern cars have much thinner rotors than in the past to meet EPA mileage demands. Should be measured for thickness as too thin will adversely affect brake performance as well as increase possibility of warping. You may be able to have the rotors turned, but the thickness of the rotor may not allow it these days. The following video may help.

 

[Falcon5]

The electric parking brake may require the use of a bi-directional scanner to enter and exit service mode to service the rear brakes. I also believe that a special tool is required to retract the caliper pistons, as they do not push in, but have to be turned to retract. As for rotor replacement, they may not need replacement, but modern cars have much thinner rotors than in the past to meet EPA mileage demands. Should be measured for thickness as too thin will adversely affect brake performance as well as increase possibility of warping. You may be able to have the rotors turned, but the thickness of the rotor may not allow it these days. The following video may help.

I love this guy's videos.