faq - Brakes

  
 
 
A couple of things to consider when shopping prices from brake place to brake place are what type of pads will they be putting on your vehicle and what kind of service will you be getting.

At My Car Doc, we like to use ceramic pads. This is because ceramic pads perform better, last longer, leave MUCH less brake dust on your rims and resist thermal breakdown much better due to the material of the pads. Most places use a semi-metallic pad that doesn't last as long, perform as well, and leaves your wheels constantly dirty. However, the choice of pads is always up to you. If you're planning on trading or selling the vehicle in the next year or so, then it would make sense to use the less expensive semi-metallic pads and we can do that for you as well. There's no difference in the labor cost of replacing your current pads with semi-metallics or ceramics. It's kind of like putting on a blue hat or a red hat, the same amount of work is involved, it's just a matter of preference. Of course, if you choose the semi-metallics the parts cost would be reduced by approximately $20. Every make and model of car is priced a little bit differently, but overall there is an average cost increase of only $20 for the better ceramic pads.
 
As far as the service you'll get, My Car Doc goes the extra mile for you. We lubricate your  hardware (caliper pins and lugstuds) with an anti-seize lubricant. This prevents your bolts from ever rusting into the caliper housing so that you never have to worry about them breaking off or rusting shut. This helps prevent potential costly repairs in the future of having the caliper housing drilled out or replacing the caliper. We also use the same anti-seize lubricant on your lugstuds so that your lugnuts won't rust to your studs, helping prevent crossthreading. Another way that we prevent crossthreading is by removing and replacing your lugnuts by hand instead of over-powering them back on with an impact. Finally, My Car Doc uses an anti-squeal agent on the back of the pads to prevent any direct metal-on-metal contact. This is help prevent minor squealing from the pad/caliper contact. After the brake job is complete, we make sure that your lugnuts are properly torqued, usually to 100 foot-pounds. These are all small, simple steps that most other shops don't even offer that can go a long way toward making sure that all of your brake jobs are simple brake jobs.
 
Typically, as long as your pads are not so far gone that they're eating into the rotors or unless the rotors are warped, there's no need to replace or resurface (or turn) the rotors. If the vehicle shudders when you apply the brakes, that's a sure sign that the rotors have a slight warp and need to be turned. However, if the rotors haven't been damaged or warped in any way, I've found that most of the time the rotors don't even need to be resurfaced.
 
Not only do you get all of this service, but you never even have to leave the office to get it! All you have to do is let me know the year, make, model of your vehicle and if you have Anti-lock brakes (ABS) on your vehicle. After that, we'll take care of the rest!
Are there any hidden fees or charges?

When My Car Doc quotes you a price, it includes parts AND labor. Brake jobs are no different. The general cost of a brake job is approximately $125. It could be $10 more or $10 less, depending upon the exact price of the parts or if there are any major difficulties in the service. However, I've never had a simple pad replacement cost more than $140.
Also, just like any mechanic worth his salt, I guarantee my work. If you're not completely satisfied, just let me know. I'll do whatever I can to make sure you're happy with the work I do. I stand behind my name and behind my work.

What kind of pads are the other guys using?

I visited a dealership recently when I took a gentleman's vehicle in for a warranty service as part of a customer service/valet service for that customer. I was shocked to see that their price on brake jobs was $179.99 + tax!! When I inquired what all the service included I was told just the pads and turning rotors if necessary. I asked what type of pads they used and was further shocked to find out that they use inexpensive semi-metallic pads.

My Car Doc uses better pads, installs the anti-squealing agent to the pads, lubricates the bolts with an anti-seize lubricant and still has a MUCH LOWER PRICE.

Whether you have us come to you to do the work or if you go somewhere else, ask about the service, the types of parts used versus the kinds of parts that are available. Get the facts and be an informed consumer. I've always felt that an informed customer was a happy customer.



   
 
     
   
   
 

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I finally found someone I can trust who tells me honestly what needs to be done." --J.O.

"John came to my workplace to perform an oil change. I also thought I needed an air filter. It was very convenient. I gave him my keys and he performed an oil change. He also said that I did not need an air filter at this time. But, he will change it for me when I do need it. That was very appreciated. The other oil change places told me that I needed it, which was obviously not true." --J.O.

"John is great! He comes to you and if very professional and friendly!" --Lauren K.

"He was great, and this service is the best. I don't need to go wait for hours in some dirty shop for my oil to be changed. He came to my work, I gave him my keys and he did it right there in the parking lot. He was professional, gave me a discount, and is very flexible. He also gives you recommendations if he sees that your air filters, etc, may need updating. I'm using him from now on!" --B.G.

"Cannon is a godsend for people with busy lives and car trouble. He makes "house calls" and comes to your car with his rolling service station. He's also exceptionally honest. I once asked him to replace a broken fan and he pointed out there was a recall on that fan. I could get the work free if I had it done at my dealership. He talked himself out of an easy $200 with that. I would never have known about the recall if he hadn't told me. But thanks to that, he's got a customer for life. When something goes wrong with my Kia, he's my first and usually only call. " --Paul P.

"I am very happy with the service My Car DOC provides! The technicians were courteous and helpful. I feel like I can trust your whole team." --Jackie O.

"They did a very nice job. It was also extremely quick. Less than an hour from pickup to drop off." -- Tom G.

"Thanks for sending Lee out today, he was very pleasant and helpful!" -- JimS.

"Hey John, you are a good guy...I wish you great success! You deserve it!" -- Eric A.

"John, loved your company’s service on our two cars and I recommended you to B. T. who was also very pleased. I posted a positive referral for you on my website, hope you get more business than you know what to do with!" -- Tom B

"I am constantly busy and things such as oil changes and tire rotations for my vehicle tend to be put off and put off again. At least until I called My Car Doc. One call, they showed up while I was at work and took care of everything. Walking out after work and not having to worry about car maintenance is an awesome feeling. "Truly a great EXPERIENCE!"--Johnnie F

"I have had the opportunity to work with John (My Car Doc) and what really stands out is John's willingness and enthusiasm for improving his business and the service that he can provide his clients. John referred one of his clients to me and in my opinion she gave him the strongest compliment possible. She stated, "I thought I should come talk to you, because if John recommends you, I know I can trust you." That tells me that John runs his company with integrity and his customers recognize his honesty and trust his commitment to their needs." --Scott D.
 

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