4-WHEEL BRAKE JOB

Dealership quote? Or some independent? Big difference

 

What miles and condition on the car? Past maintenance?

I'm not sure I would ever do a "4-wheel brake job" on a car. I inspect my brakes every time I rotate tires, and just attend to whatever is needed at that time. Most inspections go by with nothing to replace. Now and then I'll need to change a fitting kit (around $16), usually on the rears. Last time, I did also change pads and rotors, on the rear. That was at close to 160,000 miles. Fronts were still in quite good condition for the time being..

Did this shop show you that all four wheels need that work at this time?

 

If pads are fused to the rotors the wheels won't turn.

More likely something like the caliper slide pins (which hold the caliper while allowing it shift shift side-to-side) are corroded, not sliding properly.

Some repair manual info attached.

 

Knowing new jersey and how far money doesn't go in that state it seems about right. Its about $450 in the south which will probably be your cheapest prices. But i guarantee every bolt and pin is welded in place lol. Its gonna be a tough brake job. I've worked on cars from the north before and it took a hot wrench, 6' steel pipe, and a scissor jack to break some bolts loose. It might even take a 10ton press to get your sliding pins out!
Thats what scares me about working on other peoples cars half the time. Once you go above the mason dixon line the cars fall apart lol. The ironic part is the rust holds them together if im using irony right.
Just go get 3 quotes locally. Tell them you want new centric painted rotors and some akebono ceramic pad kits put on and everything greased and lubed.

 

its because you probably don't keep the brakes lubed so now you know for future reference. Have the brakes cleaned and lubed every 2-3 years like toyota intended and you should be good for the entire life of the car on the original brake pads

 

mmmm all this was discussed in your other discussion section.....

 

take a picture of your struts near the lower portion of the shiny rod part where the plastic bellows are. If its leaking thats kinda how you would know its bad besides bouncing off pot holes and having a bouncy ride. But the struts are pretty good on these cars. Mine are fine at 200k+. I doubt they are bad but its possible. I would take a picture of the endlinks. I don't replace them typically unless they are making noise. Right axle boot is probably leaking and not broken. Don't replace the axle for a piece of crap aftermarket replacement. If it needs it replace the boot with a toyota boot and add more grease.
Centric and akebono like i said are just good price and good quality. The painted rotors will help with not rusting so fast.
It does sound like they are hungry mechanics trying to do too much work on a cheap car.

 

How about a mobile mechanic who will come to you and do the brake job? A mechanic who needs work may do it for a cheaper price.

Did you check craigslist website in the NJ area? Type "mobile mechanic" in the search box. My two cents. Good luck.