A fellow employee was complaining at lunch the other day about how the shop wanted $400 to do a complete brake job (rotors and pads) on his '99 Grand Am. I randomly said, half-jokingly, "I'll do it for $100." Then he said, "Ok!" (He's paying for parts)
So now I have to educate myself about Grand Am brakes. It's a 4-wheel disc car, so at least I don't have to screw with drums. Are there any quirks? I don't know if it's a base model, GT, or GTP, are there any differences in brakes?
If it's a logical car (doubtful, it's GM) there's two caliper guide pins, and then two bolts to get the caliper bracket off to get the rotors off.
Sorry, I've never done brakes on a Grand Am, but my '97 Z24 was pretty much what you described (it has been a few years). Hope that may help.
Twin_Cam wrote:
...shop wanted $400 to do a complete brake job (rotors and pads) on his '99 Grand Am.
... It's a 4-wheel disc car, so at least I don't have to screw with drums.
Does the $400 job include all 4 corners? If so $400 is a great price. I expect that you will have about $150 in parts for each axle.
It is also rare for front and rears to wear out at the same time. I suspect the car only needs one axle done (just the front axle or just the rear axle.) Often a shop will "imply" that all 4 are being done as a way justify the pricing.
