Les Schwab for brake service?

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Has anybody had brake work done at Les Schwab? They want about $500 (includes tax) for complete front and rear brake service. Here is what is included: turn rotors and drums, new front pads and rear shoes, remanufactured front calipers, remanufactured rear wheel cylinders, system flush and bleed. Sound about right?

After seeing how easy the rear drums came off (see emergency brake post) I'm thinking I might tackle the brake job myself. The rear shoes look ok (anybody have the specs?) so I might just turn the drums. The front rotors need to be turned, and the pads replaced, as I know they are marginal. When I hit the brakes, the whole truck shudders! How hard is it to get the front rotors off? I remember seeing in a recent TDR issue that Dodge recommends turning the rotors on the truck. Is that absolutely necessary?

Any help would be appreciated... ...


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Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins.
Renton, WA

[This message has been edited by Scollins (edited 11-23-2000). ]

 

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I just happened to talk to Les Schwab in my area recently. I wanted my rotors turned on the vehicle, which they can do, but not on my 4x4 Dodge, because of the hubs. The amount of material that they said they take off when they turn rotors, is to much, unless they are in real bad shape. I haven't been to impressed with Schwab, this is in regards to many things, so I left. I have a parts house that turns rotors and the person doing it is very good, he takes only what is needed to do the job. This way they will last longer before needing to be replaced and will less likely warp. I would be real carefull, where you take them to be turned.

Rodney

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92 2500 Reg. Cab LE
Dark Spectrum Blue and Silver 4x4 Auto
PW Injectors, 230,000 miles
16cm2 housing, Isspro guages.

 

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I have never been that impressed with the LS products overall. HOWEVER, they stand behind the products and services they provide better than anyone. Their whole business is built on the customer, they don't always sell the best product (MHO), or perform the service correct (again MHO), but I have never had a problem with them trying to make you happy and with a smile I might add.

Their brake jobs are very complete, you are definitely getting more than pads or shoes for the price. I believe that on drums they replace the wheel cylinders and all hardware as well as the shoes. They must of found that overall that this results in less redo than just slapping on a set of shoes. Of course OTOH maybe this generates more revenue, who knows.

I have had brakes done on my car, and then the fronts redone for free when the pads wore out in under 25000 miles. Likewise I had a set of rear drums replaced for free that were out of balance. A few sets of struts and shocks for free, etc. I have even had tires rotated and balanced for free and flats fixed for free with a smile and come see us when you need tires. These tires were purchased elsewhere! At least you know with LS that you will be getting service, even if the products aren't always the best. I do believe that some of their products are very good too. The Toyo tires they sell are hard to beat, and the M55 light truck tires are very good at standing up to abuse in rocks.

I just spent $8000 with their fabrication department to build a custom aluminum bed for my new Ram. They did a beautiful job. Anyone in the NW who wants a bed built would do well to check out this part of the organization. They build all of the service truck bodies for their fleet of trucks at the some 300 stores they operate.

I in no way mean to malign the LS products or services by my opinions in this post, just relating my 20-25 years of experience with using them.

Happy Thanksgiving

Shelby

 

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Check out Midas for your brakes,lifetime warranty. Better yet do it yourself. Do your rotors really need turning?Most don't.
I've had bad luck with LS,I don't even trust them with a flat. Been told by other tire shops that LS is a great source of trained employees, most all leave after learning the trade,LS is left with the newbies.

 

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I had brakes done at schwab and they did a good job for me they had a 25k warranty and i had to use it once.

Sky

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2001 QuadCab,SWB,Auto, 4X4,4" Flowmaster Exhaust, Bosch 275 Injectors... ... ...

 

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Had a brake job by LS on my old 72 Ferd. started out at $275. 00 and ended up being just a few cents shy of a grand. I think there are less expensive and just as good or better shops around for a lot less.

Dewdo in the other Washington

 

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60 minutes did a spot on them. Was not very encouraging. I guess the more there people sell to you the more they make. They took cars to several of the LS type national chains that were inspected by master tech's and did not need any work. The chains found hundreds of dollars of work needed to be done. I would find a local person that you can trust.

 

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I have never had a brake job at Les Schwab, but I have bought a lot of tires from them and can speak to their customer service. First, I live in Southern California where Les Schwab doesn't have any tire stores. Because I have spent a lot of time in the Pacific Northwest traveling through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. On one trip I lost a trailer tire in Oregon and went into one of their stores ten minutes before they were to close. I ended up having them put four brand new tires on my boat trailer and one new rim damaged by the flat. I continued on my trip and in Bellingham, Wash. I was making a U-turn and the storm drain cover was missing. I blew one of my new tires. I went to LS and they warrantied it. I recently needed six new tires on my 3500 Dodge. Guess what, I drove to Sacramento, CA. (350 miles north) the closet LS dealer and bad them put on the tires. I did this because I have had real good luck with their tires over the years and especially their warranty. I've had tire problems on several trips with tires obtained locally, and usually I couldn't find a match on the road. Tire manufactures tend to change their tread patterns. I hope this information is of some value.

Buckaroo2Bob@msn.com

'97 Dodge 4X4 SLT

 

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I have delt with and been familiar with the Les Schwab stores for at least 25 years.

Any organization involving sales, where the salesperson stands to profit from a sale will have some overzealous people, and any large organization will have some below standard employess, but I would bet on LS being more reliable and more hones than most.

They really shouldnt have a turnover problem as ALL employes after about 6 mo participate in a profit sharing plan.

No I do not work for them, never have and have no relatives or close friends who do--just familiar with their standing.

Vaughn

 

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Well, I had them do my brakes yesterday, and I felt they treated me very fairly. I told them that it probably needed the "full meal deal" (front and rear. )

After inspection, they said the rear brakes should be fine for quite some time, but the front pads were very close. They did say the rear drums needed machining, and they did that for free! The front rotors were turned, calipers replaced with remanufactured units and new pads put on. Also, the system was flushed and filled with new fluid.

They also noted that the left rear axle seal was blown, and should be replaced. Cost per side was $25 parts and labor. What the heck, go for it, both sides! My total bill came to $340.

The right rear parking brake cable is going to be replaced, as it could not be repaired satisfactorily. Probably cost me another $100 (mostly for the cable. ) Overall, I'm very satisfied with Les Schwab so far. We'll see how the brakes hold up.

I'm just glad the truck doesn't buck like a crazy bull when I touch the brakes anymore! #ad


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Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins.
Renton, WA

[This message has been edited by Scollins (edited 11-26-2000). ]