New Brake Pads needed

CrazyChemist_2

Hello :santa2:

I need a pair of brake pads for my Almera (97) and Kwik-Fit is quoting around £110 for the supply and fitting of these pads. The discs seem fine at the moment at least that's what they said when I went for a brake inspection.

Are there any other places I could look for brake pad replacement? Kwik-Fit is the only one I know about at the moment. Any help appreciated :snow_grin

CC :beer:

oldagetraveller

Have you thought of changing them yourself? Don't know about Almera but most cars are usually fairly straightforward.
I can't see them being very expensive to buy from a local motor factor. £110 seems a bit over the top to me for supply and fit!
Failing that try a local non franchised car repair garage they are usually a better proposition than the likes of KwikFit, cheaper and probably more reliable.

rizla01

It is VERY easy to change the pads on my Primera, which is probably the same design.

If you go to a car accessory shop and buy the pads and also get the haynes manual for your car you will have picture by picture instructions on how to do it.

If you feel that you cannot manage most shops would refund on the pads.

Alternatively just take the front wheel off and see how simple the mechanism is that holds the pads in.

Blimey, for £110.00 I'd come and fit 'em.

You don't need muscles - just a little bit of common.

Should take about 30 minutes for both fronts. Just think how good you'll feel when you have succeeded.

CrazyChemist_2

The price was £60.80, sorry! The £110 was the extra cost in case discs were needed as well.

I'm not too sure about doing it myself - how much would I stand to save?? I've never taken a wheel off before, it's a shame I know but I'm very good at breaking things Do you think it's a good idea for someone like me who hasn't done anything like this before?

Also, I've remembered about my air filter on the Almera - it hasn't been replaced for around a couple of years now as last time I just had an oil and filter change. The year before that it had a Level 3 major service. I know that the filter bit is the rectangular thing on top of the engine, and it looks like all I have to do is unclip the little clips and open the top. Does this seem right? And is replacing it a simple case of taking the old one out and putting the new one in??

italiastar

CrazyChemist wrote:

The price was £60.80,
I'm not too sure about doing it myself - how much would I stand to save?? I've never taken a wheel off before, it's a shame I know but I'm very good at breaking things Do you think it's a good idea for someone like me who hasn't done anything like this before?

I definately wouldn't advise doing it yourself - yes it's fairly straightforward, but thing of the consiquences of getting it wrong. £60 is a good price - the pads will cost between £20 and £30 - another £30 to save getting freezing cold is a bargain. Also remember that 30 minute jobs have a habit of taking all weekend.

The air filter is dead easy - just unclip and replace.

CrazyChemist_2

It's just that for an Almera Equation with a 1.4 petrol injection it really doesn't have the kick that I'd expect it to. I suppose this is due to the air filter being clogged up and nothing else more serious.

I've got an MOT on 9th January - the braking capabilities seem fine atm so shouldn't the brakes pass no probs?

rizla01

Up To You.

I tend to agree with italiastar but if you get someone else to do it then you will never know will you.

Incidentally pattern pads (Non Nissan) will cost approx £15.00. (Don't go to Halfords) thereby saving £45.00.

If you don't have a garage (Warm) then pay the man to do it.

tomstickland

£60 is a crap price.
You can buy pads from motor factors for £15-20 and they're a simple task to change. If you don't feel like DIY then find a back street garage who will probably charge £30-£40 for doing it. Supply the pads yourself. Total then is around £55.

rizla01

Must admit Crazychemist, I just had a long soak in the bath thinking about you changing these pads yourself and the picture of an inexperienced motorist squatting alongside the front wheels with the car perched on a side jack(As supplied with car) filled me with some consternation.

Those of us that do these types of jobs invariably have invested in a 2Ton trolley jack or if not, know where to place further support under the car should the side jack fail.

As mentioned the job shouldn't cost more than £40.00 and for the saving it simply ain't worth you being troubled by this. I would do it as a matter of course, not just for the savings but for the convenience, but for you I would advise against it.

Still get the Haynes manual though (£15 - £16) as questions like 'How to change the Air Filter, Plugs' Etc are covered by this fine manual and also tell you which jobs an amatuer can easily tackle. They also tell you exactly how to approach the more difficult tasks with safety in mind.

tomstickland

Yes, find a decent back street garage, they will be much cheaper than Krap Fit.

ohreally

The job time for removal and replacement for the front set of pads on a '97 Almera is 0.60hrs (36mins). That would suggest the job should be fairly straight forward to try yourself (with appropriate guidance if you are unsure of procedure).