I took my 1993 Explorer in to have a "four wheel full friction reline" and returned later to look at the estimate which was well over $1000.
It covered shock absorbers ("weak and causing the tires to wear unevenly"), bearings ("dangerously worn that could cause the front wheel to fall off"), rear wheel cylinders ("rusty and not functioning correctly"), front caliper pistons ("about to fall apart"), one complete rotor (obviously was badly scored) and various other small items such as disk hardware and return springs.
I was in shock and started to franticly look for things to cut from the bill. The shock absorbers worked fine, so they went, I doubted there was anything wrong with the cylinders, they were next. Next door was an "Advanced Auto Parts" store, they provided the bearings at about one third the price of Just Brakes "superior quality" items and also had brake calipers at $12 each against $49 for Just Brakes "superior quality" items, however I was told that in the 10 minutes I was gone, the calipers had already been reconditioned, and I therefore had to return the others.
At this stage I just wanted out of there, and when the bill arrived I was somewhat relieved to get out with $405 plus tax.
At home however, sanity returned, and I examined the bill, not only had they charged $49 each for reconditioning the calipers, there was a further $43 each for the "superior quality" pistons, making $92 each for an item that was next door for $12. Then they had hit me for $40 for return springs, $40 for disc hardware and $30 for shims, all these items are available for just a few $.
All my protests were met with the same responce "it's the superior quality of the items".
No, it's a strong desire to rip people off!
John
Indian Shores, Florida
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