Axle Service

Gdetrailer wrote:

Man, I am glad I don't live where you do.

You can buy complete brake/backing plate assy's in left and right pairs for $95 HERE

Two axles takes two sets of the above so $190 plus shipping for all four wheels.

About $100 per drum (which gives you brand new bearings and seals) so four drums = $400 plus shipping..

So, to fully refresh all brakes, bearings and drums we are talking $600 plus shipping..

To replace all parts should take no more than 15 minutes per wheel just removing and slapping on all new parts..

Say 1 hr of labor at $150 per hr..

Most places do not "double" the cost of materials, more like adding about 25% on top of materials so call it $750 in materials and $150 in labor or $900 for all four wheels out the door cost..

However, I seriously doubt that full on replacement of brakes and drums will be needed.. Myself, I had to replace the backing plates a few yrs ago on a 30+ yr old TT and they WERE the ORIGINAL BRAKES!

I suspect it will be more like just check and adjust the brakes and clean and repack the bearings so in reality, the only "parts" would be needed is maybe $40 in new seals and a few scoops of grease.. maybe 1-2 hrs of labor (2hrs if they are padding the bill)..

Many auto repair shops typically charge less than $100 per wheel to "service" the brakes and sometimes you can catch a deal at $40 per wheel if you shop around..

Myself, it is an easy thing to do so I pull, check and adjust as needed instead of paying a mechanic..

You're right, prices are steep on most stuff around here.
But you're right, I was off by a factor of 2 on the brake assemblies. $100/pr not $100/ea if you get them on line.
Speaking of prices, I needed 1 set of brake shoes last week to get me by on my snowmachine trailer. Typical 3500lb manual adjust Dexters.
Trailer place nearby was $40.....$$$$40 for one set of shoes. 2 shoes, 1 wheel!

Every shop I've been around recently has about a 100% markup on the "average" parts price. Buddy is a mechanic at a small local shop. Same there too. And not specific to this area, had to pay someone to put a new clutch in my truck in AK. Shop owner was a solid, honest guy. Said, buy your own parts if you want, other wise I'll charge you double...
Anyway, yes it could be done for less than $500 in "dealer" parts provided drums/hubs are fine. Or under $300 in the driveway.

I'm a pretty good wrench, but it's still an hour a wheel all in if you're replacing bearings, brake assemblies.
But, yeah $1500 is also HIGH, even at Seattle prices.
Like you said, depends what it needs.