£350 for a (Subaru Legacy) brake caliper??
Discussion
Am I missing something here? I've been told that my Legacy has a seized piston in the brake caliper. And that the part isn't available until the end of the week from Subaru. And that there's no pattern / aftermarket part that can be used. And that the Subaru part costs £350!
Can anyone explain why on earth a Subaru brake caliper is such a rare and expensive piece of metal??
(2004/54 Legacy 3.0R auto estate)
Can anyone explain why on earth a Subaru brake caliper is such a rare and expensive piece of metal??
(2004/54 Legacy 3.0R auto estate)
I don't understand "siezed". Can't they remove the piston? Surely a tap with a hammer would break whatever's holding it. Then a clean and some new seals ought to sort it for no more than £50. Seals themselves should be no more than a fiver IF they're not Subaru-specific.
I'd definitely try a different garage, who might be prepared to fix it rather than replace it. Many places these days only employ "fitters" and not "engineers" or "mechanics".
I'd definitely try a different garage, who might be prepared to fix it rather than replace it. Many places these days only employ "fitters" and not "engineers" or "mechanics".
doogz said:
Mars said:
I don't understand "siezed". Can't they remove the piston? Surely a tap with a hammer would break whatever's holding it. Then a clean and some new seals ought to sort it for no more than £50. Seals themselves should be no more than a fiver IF they're not Subaru-specific.
I'd definitely try a different garage, who might be prepared to fix it rather than replace it. Many places these days only employ "fitters" and not "engineers" or "mechanics".
This.I'd definitely try a different garage, who might be prepared to fix it rather than replace it. Many places these days only employ "fitters" and not "engineers" or "mechanics".
A lot of garages stopped rebuilding calipers a while back, it's not something mechanics are taught these days, but at that price, i'd be rebuilding that one. It's not difficult, i done my old GTi-6 calipers myself on the kitchen table in less than an hour.
http://www.brakesint.co.uk/
Brakes International - £70-odd quid for a refurb caliper.
Don't get your hands dirty.
BB
Brakes International - £70-odd quid for a refurb caliper.
Don't get your hands dirty.
BB
doogz said:
Mars said:
I don't understand "siezed". Can't they remove the piston? Surely a tap with a hammer would break whatever's holding it. Then a clean and some new seals ought to sort it for no more than £50. Seals themselves should be no more than a fiver IF they're not Subaru-specific.
I'd definitely try a different garage, who might be prepared to fix it rather than replace it. Many places these days only employ "fitters" and not "engineers" or "mechanics".
This.I'd definitely try a different garage, who might be prepared to fix it rather than replace it. Many places these days only employ "fitters" and not "engineers" or "mechanics".
A lot of garages stopped rebuilding calipers a while back, it's not something mechanics are taught these days, but at that price, i'd be rebuilding that one. It's not difficult, i done my old GTi-6 calipers myself on the kitchen table in less than an hour.
My dad was charged a similar amount for two new front calipers for his MX5.
Had I known, I'd have happily sorted them out for him for the cost of the rebuild kits, and he could have bought the beers in the pub afterwards.
Oli.
hora said:
Ha! Reminds me of Subaru quoting me 1k for a exhaust on my 04 Legacy.
Ah, unfortunately that is the going rate for an OEM exhaust for the flat-6 Legacy (two tailpipes). I've just been through this, AND they're only mild steel again. I bought a SS centre section (Y-shaped) from Hayward & Scott, and a pair of Prodrive SS tailpipes for about the same price. It's a bit "fruity" though - not necessarily the right thing for a commuter car.k-ink said:
Subaru are usually damn solid cars. But yea their main dealer prices are damn expensive.
Still, better than VAG, whos parts are junk yet very expensive.
I've found Subaru dealers vary quite considerably. I used to get my Legacy-2 serviced by the franchise in Worcs who were excessively expensive for all things - which eventually drove me to indy garages. My Legacy-4 was originally serviced by Crossroads, south of Stratford-upon-Avon. Their prices are reasonable, and they take a pragmatic approach to work too - they lathed my disks once instead of charging me for new ones. If it wasn't for the distance I'd be using them still.Still, better than VAG, whos parts are junk yet very expensive.
I thought an OEM exhaust was mentally expensive but then I found after-market ones comparable (although from SS instead of MS). I think it's largely the same with most none-off-the-shelf parts.
zcacogp said:
his again.
My dad was charged a similar amount for two new front calipers for his MX5.
Had I known, I'd have happily sorted them out for him for the cost of the rebuild kits, and he could have bought the beers in the pub afterwards.
Oli.
Add in the labour charge to remove investigate and refit at nearly £100 an hour plus the parts mark up then there's not much left of £350. My dad was charged a similar amount for two new front calipers for his MX5.
Had I known, I'd have happily sorted them out for him for the cost of the rebuild kits, and he could have bought the beers in the pub afterwards.
Oli.
Thanks everyone for your input. The conclusion of the matter is that the well-known 'quite fast and not a mechanic but someone who just fits stuff' national chain were (let's be charitable) mistaken when they said there were no pattern / aftermarket parts available. In fact another garage where I live has sourced a brand new replacement for £190 fitted next day.
Which is better than paying £410 fitted that the well-known QFANAMBSWJFS quoted me.
Which is better than paying £410 fitted that the well-known QFANAMBSWJFS quoted me.
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