How long does it take to change brakes and rotors? • Road Sumo (2023)

Regular brake service is crucial to ensuring your car is safe to drive. Some brake parts that need to be checked regularly are the pads and rotors. But how long does it take to change brakes and rotors?

On average, it will take about 30 minutes to about an hour if that's all you need to do. There is a lot of variation over time because with a brake repair service the mechanic has to deal with several brake components that are all subject to wear and tear.

But that's what you should think about. Doing a DIY brake and rotor service might not be worth it. If it takes a skilled mechanic 30 minutes to an hour to complete the rudimentary task, how much longer will it take you if you're just a weekend mechanic?

Keep reading to learn more about the estimated time it will take to change your brakes and rotors.

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors?

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors? • Road Sumo (1)

If no other brake system issues need to be resolved, replacing the brakes and rotors will typically take anywhere from 30 minutes to about an hour to complete. Completion time varies due to the large number of components that must be checked in a vehicle's brake system.

But you should think twice if you want to replace your car's brakes and rotors yourself. It might not be worth your time. How long does it take to change the front brakes?

An experienced mechanic is needed for 30 minutes to an hour. So what do you think it would take to get the job done if you were just a weekend mechanic?

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors? Is it difficult to replace the brakes and rotors? Many people say that this kind of work is not difficult for a DIYer.

But then, it's too slow. If this is your first time doing this, we recommend that you read a lot so you don't make a mistake. You can't go wrong because it's your brakes that protect you from possible collisions.

Best C clamp for brakes

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors on Midas?

At Midas, if you only do brake inspections, it will usually take the mechanic about 30 minutes or less to do it. However, if you go there for brake repair and maintenance, you will spend more time.

The mechanic will provide a written estimate of repair or maintenance costs. You won't be blinded by what they do with your car, because they will also give you all the details of how your brake system works.

With regards to costs, Midas typically charges $350 to $400 for brake pad and rotor replacement and $200 to $219 (including tax) for front axle brake pad replacement.

In fact, Midas is a reliable auto service and maintenance shop.

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors on Pep Boys?

Pepboys is also a good choice if you need to check, maintain or repair your brake system. They have experienced technicians who will make sure your brakes keep your car safely stopped at all times. Pepboys also sells the best brake products and brands on the market.

if you go toPepboys for brake repair, you can spend just 15 minutes or up to eight hours to get the job done. After examining your car's brake system, it depends on the actual brake work required.

Typically, Pepboys auto mechanics take anywhere from one to three hours to fix their customers' brake system problems. That's the average time considering the many problems a vehicle's brake system is likely to encounter.

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors on the Meineke?

Like most auto service shops, it will take Meineke anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to replace rotors and brake pads on an average car.

If there are problems with your car's brake system, repairs and replacement can take anywhere from 15 minutes to about 8 hours. It all depends on the type of problems your mechanics discover.

Repairing and replacing brake pads and rotors are just two of the common problems a brake system encounters.Meinekemechanics are well qualified to handle these repairs. But they can also provide other brake system services your car may require.

These additional services include:

  • brake caliper replacement
  • Brake caliper and rotor realignment
  • Brake disc and brake drum lining
  • brake hose replacement
  • Washing and changing fluids and brakes
  • Brake Master Cylinder Replacement

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors at Firestone?

Firestone isn't just good at making durable tires. They also do brake and rotor replacement. Infire stoneIt will take your mechanics anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to replace your vehicle's brake pads and rotors.

But if you go there to get the brakes fixed, it might take longer. Actual time spent in your car varies. On average, plan on spending about 3 to 8 hours to fix any problems with the brake system.

As for cost, Firestone charges between $130 and $240 per axle for brake pad replacement. This includes rotor resurfacing. For replacement brake pads and rotors, your charges can range from $345 to $398 per axle.

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors on Jiffy Lube?

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors? • Road Sumo (2)

Jiffy Lube is known for its oil change service. But that's not the only service they offer their customers. They also provide brake and rotor repair and replacement.

If you go there to have your brake system checked and they only need to make minor adjustments and repairs, you should be able to drive your car again in about 30 minutes to an hour.

However, if the problem they discover is serious, you may need to spend 3-8 hours in the shop before you can drive the car again. Jiffy Lube uses certified brake technicians who will check and repair your car's brake system.

It's not difficult to be servedany Jiffy Lube outlet. They have a total of 1,600 service shops spread across different states. They are also open on weekends and even at night. So whenever you can, go to a Jiffy Lube shop to get your brakes fixed.

You can trust Jiffy Lube for brake and rotor repair and replacement because they are used to servicing 3,000 brake systems a day. This means that many car owners with brake system problems find Jiffy Lube to be the ideal location.

Again, how long does it take to change the brakes and rotors? Qualified technicians can replace your car's brake pads and rotors in 30 minutes to an hour. An inexperienced DIYer will take several hours to complete the same task.

Should I replace the rotors and brake pads together?

One of the concerns of car owners is how best to repair their brake pads and rotors. Experienced car mechanics often recommend that it is best to replace brake pads and rotors simultaneously.

Only replace the brake pads if the rotors are in good condition

However, there are situations when only the brake pads are bad, but the rotors are still fine. In such cases, only the brake pads should be replaced. The car owner does not need to spend money on brake rotors that are still in good working order.

There will be no problem if you replace worn brake pads. If the rotor is still intact, without excessive wear, it makes no sense to replace it for the following reasons:

  • If new discs or rotors are used for new pads, the pads must first be ground for new rotors before optimum braking performance is achieved. Given the situation, this is almost impossible.
  • Replacing brake discs is expensive and time consuming. If they're still good, why change them? Brake pads are easier to remove and replace.

If you want to be sure, ask a professional mechanic who knows everything about brake pads and discs. They will be the perfect person to advise you on what you should and shouldn't do.

Replacing a faulty rotor is a must

It's a different case with a bad rotor. If you cannot buy a new rotor or disc, then replacing the brake pad will be pointless.

What will happen is that the new brake pad will not be able to make proper contact with the worn surface of the disc. This will drastically reduce your car's stopping power. This is unsafe.

If your rotor has deep grooves, it will work like a chipper or awl in the brake pad material. This will happen every time you step on the brake where the brake pad is pressed against the rotor.

Do not use worn brake pads

It is also not advisable to continue using worn pads. Doing so will also damage the rotors. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to replace the brake pads, you must do it immediately. Otherwise, there will be metal-to-metal contact between the metal base of the brake pad and the metal surface of the rotor.

You see, when the brake pad pad is already worn, its metal base is already exposed. It is the exposed metal parts that will make contact with the metallic surface of the rotor.

When you step on the brakes, the metal-to-metal contact between the bad brake pad and the good rotor creates ridges in the disc's metallic surface, seriously affecting its function and integrity.

Over time, the rotor can get thinner and it can also warp. Your braking ability will decrease, making your car unsafe to drive.

Replace both if you have the budget.

Whether you will replace just the brake pads or both pads and rotors will depend on your actual condition as well as the mechanic's recommendation.

If you have the budget, nothing is stopping you from replacing both. It will give you the best braking efficiency every time you drive your car.

However, if your budget is tight and the rotor is still good but the brake pads are already worn, just replace the brake pads. Your car's brake system will continue to work fine because you replaced the part that was causing the problem.

Why does the brake pedal go all the way to the floor before coming to a stop?

How to change brake pads at home

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors? • Road Sumo (3)

Changing brake pads and discs is not as easy as you think. Maybe you can make this at home if you have the craft skills, knowledge, practical skills, experience, the right tools and a lot of time.

How long does it take to change brake pads? Removing and replacing brake pads and discs is a lot of work. So this job is reserved for professional mechanics. Boldness goes nowhere if you only have a little of what this type of work requires.

Requires expensive tools and equipment

If you're not a modder or car repairman, you might not have the tools you need to do a decent brake pad and rotor replacement.

You need a vehicle lift and jack stands to raise your car so you can access the brake discs and pedals. Other tools needed include a set of sockets, torque wrench, gauge compressor and more.

These tools will increase the cost of new brake pads and discs. Even if you have the budget to buy these tools, do you have the knowledge and skills to use them?

Installation error can cause accidents

Many YouTube videos show how to replace brake pads and rotors. However, if this is your first time doing this, it will be difficult to follow the instructions.

How long does it take to change brakes and rotors at home? If you have never done this before, then you do not have the necessary skills and it will take a long time to finish the job.

There's also a high chance that you'll make a mistake along the way. An error in installing a component of your car's brake system is not safe.

It might not be worth it

Bad brake pads and discs should be replaced by a professional mechanic. This is how they earn their income. However, it might not be worth it if you have a different profession but would like to get involved in these types of projects.

Just imagine. It will take a good mechanic anywhere from three to eight hours to examine, diagnose, repair, or replace brake pads or rotors. They already have the right tools and a lot of experience doing these things.

And you? Even if you have all the tools, you still don't have the skills, experience, and techniques to complete a brake job. It's not worth it and you might make mistakes along the way.

Common questions

This topic is a little technical, so it's natural that you have questions. Read on, and you can get your answers here:

How long will it take to change the brake pads and rotors?

It can take a professional mechanic about 30 minutes to replace a brake pad. Changing a brake rotor or disc will take much longer due to the disassembly of the mechanical components.

Typically, the mechanic will first look at the brake pads and rotors. The mechanic will do the job in an hour if you don't have any significant problems.

But, if they find a problem with the brake pads or rotors, it will take longer. Sometimes they can take 8 hours to finish the job.

Is changing brake pads and rotors a do-it-yourself job?

Yes it is if you have the right skills, experience, tools and equipment. But it's not worth it if you don't have these requirements and you're doing it for the first time. This is according to experienced car mechanics.

Should I replace the brake pads and rotors at the same time?

No, it is not necessary to replace both simultaneously. If you have the budget, it is more advantageous to do it this way. However, if your budget is limited, then simply replacing the faulty brake pad is enough. If the rotor is still in good condition, you can still use it.

Closing: Changing brakes and rotors: how long does it take?

Changing brakes and rotors can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour if there are no major problems. If there are problems, it can take up to 8 hours. The wide variation in completion time is due to various brake system components that need to be checked.

All these parts of the brake system are subject to wear and tear. If the mechanic checks the condition of the brake pads, he should also check the condition of the rotors or discs, calipers, etc.

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FAQs

How long does it take to get brakes and rotors replaced? ›

Consider this: even an expert automotive technician takes between 30 minutes to an hour or more to replace the brake pads and rotors on some vehicles. For someone with little to no experience, brake pad replacement could take several hours or more.

How long does a brake job take at a dealership? ›

How long does a brake repair or brake replacement take? Under normal circumstances, brake repairs or replacements will take, on average, 1 to 2 ½ hours; however, based on the number of repairs, it could run a little longer.

How long does it take to get your brakes done? ›

A full brake job can take a professional mechanic or brake specialist from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Factors like rust and corrosion can slow a mechanic down when doing a brake job. Some new and luxury vehicles require special tools to compress the caliper piston back.

How much should I pay to replace brakes and rotors? ›

A complete brake repair that includes pads, rotors, and calipers typically averages between $200 and $800.

How much is the labor for brakes and rotors? ›

How much does it cost to replace the brake pads and rotors? Rotors cost between $30 and $75 each. Labor to replace rotors and pads is around $150 to $200 per axle. Brake pads and rotors come out to around $250 to $500 per axle.

Is it better to getting brakes done at the dealership? ›

This is because unlike aftermarket parts, they're made from higher quality materials. This means you'll be replacing those parts less often and less frequently. When it comes to replacing your brakes, the dealership is one of the best options for you!

Which wears out first front or rear brakes? ›

Your front brake pads will also wear down faster than your rear pads. The front of your vehicle handles a lot more weight transfer as you brake, causing more wear. Over time heat and friction also contribute to brake pad wear.

Can you drive on grinding brakes? ›

It may be possible to Drive the Car for a while before the Brakes completely Stop Working. This isn't advisable for two reasons: It is not Safe. Driving on Grinding Brakes will only make the issue Worse and increase the Cost of Repair. The Grinding Noise your Brakes are making is the lack of Pad Material in the Brakes.

How long does it take to change brake pads and discs? ›

You can expect the replacement of a pair of brake discs and pads to take between one and three hours for the front and around the same sort of time for the rear.

Should I replace all 4 rotors? ›

You do not need to replace all 4 rotors at the same time, but it is recommended to replace the rotors and pads as a set for each axle front or back at the same time. If the front brakes need to be replaced but the rear brakes are not worn out yet, then you do not need to replace the rear brakes.

Is changing rotors easy? ›

Changing your own pads and rotors is a great way to save on brake replacement costs. Not only is this a great way to save money, it's a relatively straightforward job that can be done by a moderately skilled DIYer in a couple of hours.

How Much Should 4 rotors and brake pads cost? ›

Labor at a shop to replace rotors and pads is approximately $150 to $200 per axle. Brake rotor and pad repair generally comes out to around $250 to $500 per axle when visiting a professional shop. Calipers are the most difficult and expensive aspect of the braking system to replace.

How many hours of labor is a brake job? ›

How long does it take to replace front brake pads? While every vehicle is different, most automotive repair shops quote the front brake pad replacement job at or around 1 hour for a passenger car or SUV.

How much is a brake job at Firestone? ›

Firestone brake replacement costs range from $350 to $470, including parts and labor on new pads and rotors.

How do I know if my rotors are bad? ›

It could represent four signs that it's time to replace your brake rotors.
  1. Vibrating Steering Wheel. If you feel pulsing in the brake pedal and vibration in the steering wheel when you slow down, your rotors could be signaling trouble. ...
  2. Intermittent Screeching. ...
  3. Blue Coloration. ...
  4. Excessive Wear Over Time.
Jun 28, 2018

Why does my car shake when I brake? ›

There are several explanations for car shaking when braking: One of your tires could be badly "out of round” A wheel could be unbalanced having lost its counterweight. Your car's front-end alignment could be way out of whack.

How often should rotors be replaced? ›

As a general rule, you should get your brake pads replaced every 10,000 to 20,000 miles to keep wear to a minimum. When it comes to your rotors, you have a bit longer. Your rotors should be replaced between 50,000 and 70,000 miles to keep your brakes in peak health.

Which brakes are more important on a car? ›

The front brake pads do most of the work, causing them to wear faster and need replacement more often. When you step on the brakes, your car lurches forward, landing squarely on the front wheels. This is where most of your car's braking power comes from.

Are factory brakes better than aftermarket? ›

A: OEM stands for “original equipment manufacturer,” so OEM brake pads are the same as those that came with the vehicle. The friction material on the brake pads may be organic, semi-metallic or ceramic. Brand-name aftermarket pads are just as good — and sometimes better — than OEM. Don't waste money.

When brakes fail What should you do? ›

What to do if your brakes go out
  1. Don't panic.
  2. Try the brakes again.
  3. Carefully engage emergency brake.
  4. Downshift into a lower gear.
  5. Safely get off the road.
  6. Don't turn the car off until you've stopped.
  7. Signal for help.
  8. Get your brakes inspected by a professional.

Is it OK to replace brake pads only? ›

Replacing brake pads only

If your rotors aren't worn or damaged when you go in for brake service, you can probably get away with changing just the brake pads.

What is the life expectancy of brake pads? ›

Brake pads generally last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles, but some can last as long as 100,000 miles. There are many factors that account for this wide range. First, brake pads come in a variety of types and compositions and are attached to even more varying brake systems and rotors.

Why are my rear brake pads wearing out so fast? ›

The one rear brake pad worn to metal contact can be from a variety of reasons. Some reasons could be a sticking brake caliper piston, dirty and sticking brake caliper slide pins or a restricted brake flex hose, to name a few. Hot weather, as you have in Arizona, can play havoc on all vehicle systems.

Should you replace all 4 brake pads at once? ›

But, when changing brake pads, should you do all four at once? Well, first, you absolutely should replace both front or both rear brake pads at the same time. Unless something's really wrong, one should be wearing out at about the same rate as the other.

Do you have to replace brakes and rotors at the same time? ›

Many professionals and mechanics would recommend that both elements of the brake system be replaced at the same time, but occasionally the owner may be able to just replace the brake pads without the rotor if the rotor isn't showing as much wear and tear.

Are changing brakes and rotors easy? ›

Changing your own pads and rotors is a great way to save on brake replacement costs. Not only is this a great way to save money, it's a relatively straightforward job that can be done by a moderately skilled DIYer in a couple of hours.

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