Car brake repair: Dealership or repair place?

[vass0922]

Ok .. I have a 99 chevy malibu and its brake replace time
When I slow down the car shakes a little bit (not too bad yet) and I get that good ol fixmeI'm getting old brake maintenance squeak going (80k miles so not too bad.. although I'm assuming the dealership replaced the brakes before I bought it (I got it used in 2000)).

Now .. my problem is this..
My warranty is good until 100k miles so that's not the issue, however brakes are a maintenance item so not covered. So should I take it to the dealership (known to be more expensive) to get it fixed in case there are "other" problems like a bad rotor..
Or take it Midas or another brake place to get it fixed because they're supposed to be cheaper and of course you get the warranty?

Brakes (and steering) being a safety item, I'd not take a chance. Unless you know for sure the dealership is not good at repairs.

For other repairs, you're probably better off at a local repair shop.

[kenyg]

Go to a reputable local garage. If you don't know of any, ask around at work, or ask neighbors.

Dealers parts & labor charges are usually pretty high.

Myself, friend of mine owns a garage - thats where I go.

Ken

[vass0922]

I like the dealership they're not bad at all..
The only reason I'm considering the dealership is because if a warranty item is broken that is covered and I get a free rental car lol
What's the odds with a shimmy in the car when braking that a non maintenance item is bad?

[bigblue77]

I myself would do the work myself, but thats just me. If I were you I would pay the extra to take it to the dealership because chances are they will give the entire car a quick look. That way if there is anything out of order you will be informed of it.
Thats the way it worked at the GM dealership I worked at once.

Jer


EDIT-> Vass, your shimmy is 80% surely a warped rotor IMO.

[osprey4]

For a lot of things I'll go to a repair shop (Firestone, etc.), but for brakes, they take too many shortcuts and don't replace all the parts. They put parts back in the car that should be replaced. The dealer will do the job right.

[vass0922]

That's what I was afraid of Blue arghhh lol
But I do like the dealership they've always been fair to me in the past.. I'll probably take it to them.

Well if I was at home I'd go over to a friend of mines and we could do it there.. but out here in townhouse hell you're not supposed to do car repairs in the parking area not that I'd trust myself to do it myself anyways lol

[pickel]

If you know nothing about repairing your brakes, etc. I would suggest you go to Midas Muffler shop. It's a little more costly ( maybe not, compared to Firestone, Goodyear) but they offer a LIFETIME warranty on brakes, shocks, etc. I've had my mufflers replaced 4 times since 1978 when they were first installed, saved me about $400-500 dollars and I got to choose which ones I wanted to get !

[Brainchild]

What's the odds with a shimmy in the car when braking that a non maintenance item is bad?

Vass that sounds like the rotors need turned (resurfaced to make them true again) new pads and you're good to go I would prolly call a nice garage, to do the repair. I would also call the parts suppliers around and price the brake pads, and getting the rotors machined, just as a reference. The unimformed pay more at somplaces, sad but true. And Call around

Or drive her to MO, and I'll do it for ya

[Ed_S]

vass, a little food for thought - There IS a difference in parts quality, and dealership techs have access to more info. (if they read it..) You said the original brakes went 80K?? Why on Earth would you even consider having anything other than those exact same parts installed??

When trying to save a buck on repairs, always remember this - if it doesn't run, you'll stop. But if it doesn't stop...

Think about it!
Ed