Seeking advice on Brakes

[sarah_warhurst@hotmail.com]

I had my car serviced last week - and they picked up that my brake shoes where put around the wrong way. I looked back through my receipts and it was done six years ago ( I have only owned the car for one year). Anyway, I have been told that it is a mess and needs to be repaired...I have brake fluid leaking everywhere, I need two new cylinders, four new brake shoes, and the drums need to be grinded down. This person offered to do all of this for $600- I have no idea what is involved, or where to go and get another quote. Or if I am better sourcing the parts myself??? I am located in Adelaide. Any advice on what to do would be much appreciated. Thankyou Sarah

[bryan]

HI SARAH,THIS IS VERY TYPICAL WHEN YOU GET YOUR CAR SERVICED THAT THE BRAKES ARE CHECKED.IS YOUR CAR A FC HOLDEN?THE QUOTE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOUNDS REASONABLE FOR THAT TYPE OF WORK.THE THING YOU SHOULD ASK IS THAT ARE THE CYLINDERS PRICED NEW OR RECONDITIONED,A REPUTABLE SHOP WILL HONE THE CYLINDERS FIRST TO SEE IF THIS CAN BE DONE.LOOK UP BRAKE SPEACIALISTS IN YOUR AREA TO GET ESTIMATES,THIS COULD SAVE YOU MONEY AND FURTHER GRIEF! AS YOU WILL KNOW IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE GOOD BRAKES FOR PEACE OF MIND.IF YOU NEED ANY HELP LET ME KNOW AS I AM AMECHANIC AND BRAKE SPEACIALIST. RE BRAYN.

[sarah_warhurst@hotmail.com]

Brian, Are you in Adelaide. If so, I would really like to take you up on your offer, and bring my car in for you to look at. Yes it is an FC. Thankyou. Sarah

[Glenn (Adelaide)]

PBR in Norwood are a good place to try for that second quote. If you or someone you know is at all mechanically minded you can do all of the work at home with parts from Roccas or Sprint, the drums will have to be machined at the brake shop though.
Have you considered going to discs? If so, now might be the time to bite the bullet.

[bryan]

I'M SORRY SARAH I ACTUALLY LIVE IN NEW ZEALAND,I'M A HOLDEN ENTHUSIAST AND VISIT THIS SITE REGUALARY.I DO OWN A FC AND HT PREMIER.

[sarah_warhurst@hotmail.com]

Thanks Glenn. I will give them a go. I have considered going to disc's, but once again don't know what's involved and who to trust the job with. It is so frustrating. I also have trouble with the whole "ORIGINAL" aspect of the car. There are so many things that I would love to do with it, but keep getting held back by comments like: "OH, THE CAR WONT BE ORIGINAL ANYMORE, YOU WILL DE-VALUE IT" When does this end? Can I see PBR in Norwood about Disc brakes too?? Regards Sarah

[Richard]

Sarah,
An FE or FC is worth only what someone will pay for it, like any used car.  Whilst it is probably true that the car might be worth less with disc brakes, it has to be something you are happy with.  You're the owner, after all.  These "devaluing" arguments are only relevant if you are likely to sell the car in the short to medium term.
In any case, there can be little doubt that discs are safer than drums, and I would respectfully point out to the "devaluers" that a disc-brake conversion is a bolt-on/bolt-off modification.  In other words, it's a reversible procedure that requires no cutting or welding on the car.
hope that helps, RET