It's almost as though they're trying to irritate their parents. Back when it debuted, gearheads regularly referred to the Impala in reverent tones as "the SS," or "the 409." Later "enthusiasts," though, came to think of the Impala's chrome emblem as depicting a leaping donkey, and the "Donk" was born. And so it was that heathens world-wide devised a whole new way to irritate Mom and Dad.
As of 2013, you're looking at about $15 for the cheapest front pads, and the same for the rear. Add in $15 for ancillary items like brake fluid, anti-squeal lubricant and brake cleaner, and you can expect to spend about $45 minimum in parts to replace the pads on all four wheels. some of the better pads can run upward of $50 per set, for a total of about $115 for the best brake pad replacement possible.
The cheapest front rotors are about $37 a piece, and the upgraded "severe duty" name-brand front rotors are about $50; dimensionally and in terms of materials, the two are identical, and the cheaper rotor is actually a bit lighter. The cheapest rear rotors are about $25 a piece, and 5 pounds lighter each than the $40 slotted rotor, which will last longer and run cooler. The most expensive rear rotor is about $55, but doesn't offer any real advantages over the $25 rotor. So, add between $124 and $210 for four new rotors, depending on the units you choose.
Shops typically determine labor by "book time," or the number of hours the shop manual says the job should take. They multiply those "book hours" by the shop's per-hour labor rate, which as of 2013 is about $40 to $65 for a decent independent mechanic. Book time for the front pads is 1.2 for both sides, and 1.6 hours for the rear; which means $50 to $80 for the front pads, and $64 to $104 for the rear. That's about $115 to $184 for labor. Suggestion: If you've got a floor jack and basic hand tools, just save yourself the money and do this simple, DIY job yourself.
