I had my breaks checked at 74,000 mi on my 2000 Born Free E450. Was told I needed new pads and a right front caliper.The rotors were also turned.$600 later I picked it up and on my first trip I felt a shimmy in the wheel and tire on the right side.There was also a burnt plastic odor which I thought might be the new break pad.I took it back to the shop after 400mi to recheck.They told me I now had a warped rotor suggesting I must have been riding the breaks and overheated the rotor.This time they replaced both rotors and the other caliper costing another thousand dollars for a total of $1600. I guess I should have taken it right back to have them to redo the repair but I was 60 mi into my trip and figured it might be the new pads adjusting. What do I know,I'm not a mechanic. I'm wondering if they contributed to the problem by not doing the job correctly in the first place.I'm interested in other opinions as to the cost and whether they should have eaten some of the 2nd repair.

it was warped before they turned them you got scamed

newman fulltimer wrote:it was warped before they turned them you got scamedX2

The breaks were fine before I had them check for wear.What's a reasonable cost for the work I had done?

X3 find a new shop. take it in for a brake check up ,tell them your story,and you just want it right, have them inspect the rears while your there.

http://ebcrotors.com/c-82-ebc-brake-kits.aspxE450 Pads and rotors $600Basically they are just bolt-on parts so maybe $200 labor?+ some for the caliper (if needed) and bleeding the brakes.Yes it seems like a bit much to me but I do my own work mostly. I have long since quit turning rotors. Slap on the pads and let them wear in a bit or just put on new.

Feeling ripped off on the cost of a front break job ?

tboss
Explorer
Aug 02, 2015
Rip off I say yes,, for turnin the rotors including new clean ,inspect and repack the bearings and new pads ,,for 200.00 and some change,,done the work myself grt brakes and
no wobble in steering wheel..
RonMay
Explorer
Aug 01, 2015
WOW, that shop should be ashamed of themselves. On our 2004 Class C (E450) I just replaced all 4 calipers as well as new pads front and back. The parts cost me about $450 and I did the work myself. I can't imagine why labor costs would add THAT much to the tab.
j-d
Explorer II
Aug 01, 2015
$600? Not bad at all for Fronts.

Simply Amazingly Stunning if "all" and "the rotors" means Front and Rear!

Seems they treated you like other customers, farmers, contractors, deliveries etc. that run Ford Trucks, not a cash cow in an RV.
Oldme
Explorer
Aug 01, 2015
Local independent truck center replaced two calipers, all pads, turned the rotors and repacked the bearings last year for $600.00 on E450 chassis.
j-d
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2015
The job is done now, and billing/warranty will work out however it works out. But I'd like to offer:

1. A job like this should include BOTH calipers and the hoses.

2. If there's any planning time/down time, a whole replacement front axle setup, with complete brakes, new bearings, new axles (including ball joints and bushings) and new radius arms is available from firms that make Ford E-Series chassis into 4x4. Replacing these components on 2007 or earlier chassis upgrades brakes to the latest 2008+ design which is a much larger, much better, brake.

3. Item 2. above is really good if the chassis has enough miles on it that ball joint wear has become an issue. Several of us on this forum have made this swap or had it done at a shop and we're pleased.
JesseJ1826
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
I just had the brakes done on my 2001 E450. Couldn't find a Ford dealer within 100 miles to do it so I took it to a heavy truck shop recommended by local RV dealer who sends them all their RV chassis work. On the front they installed new calipers, (one old one was seized), new rotors and pads. All parts used were from Ford. Rears were inspected and determined to be OK. Cost was $1930.00 (Can.) including 13% tax. Reasonable in my opinion considering everything up here in the great white north is much more expensive.
Bordercollie
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
Expect to get overcharged when away from home on a trip. You might get better quality/reliable service from a Ford Truck dealer but expect to pay dealer service prices for parts and labor.
behengold
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
I'm going to try to have a calm conversation with these folks and have them explain how my brake pad replacement evolved into a $1600'brake job. If they don't adjust the bill I'll dispute the charge and we can work it out in court. I do have honest mechanics working on my other vehicles.typical story , they don't want to work on my RV. . I'll be picking it up today. Hopefully at least they'll have got it right on the repair so I don't have to have another shop get involved. Thanks for everyone's input.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2015
I know a great shop in new castle PA . they did a brake repair in the fair grounds lot. on a holiday week end.
Dakzuki
Explorer
Jul 31, 2015
behengold wrote:
I'm going to at least try to get them to adjust the bill . I believe they overcharged me for a problem they created. I've had few good experiences when it comes to auto repairs.

You need to find a good tame mechanic and stick with them. If you have friends or people you trust that have long term relationships with a mechanic try them out.

I used to work at an independent, honest shop. They are out there. When you find one, give them your love and business.

Sounds to me like they screwed up the brake job and are soaking you to make it right rather than eating it.