Should You Attempt a DIY Brake Replacement Job?

Posted: Oct 03, 2012
Author: Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center

Due to the economic pinch, many consumers are seeking ways to cut costs by trying to do difficult auto repair jobs themselves instead of leaving it to the pros. So, should you pay for professional brake replacement or should you save money by doing it yourself? Well, you might be surprised to learn that you could actually save money by having the job done professionally.

Before you decide to do a brake replacement job yourself, make a realistic assessment of the time involved and the costs. You’ll probably find that, by the time you’ve priced the parts and tools, ordered them, and then done the job, you will have spent more than having it done at an auto shop.

Unless you have a comprehensive knowledge of vehicle braking systems, you will need someone to tell you how to do the job. Okay, you can look up “brake replacement” on the internet, but how do you know if the person who wrote the instructions actually knew what he/she was doing? The trouble is if you do something incorrectly, you run the risk of causing more damage, not to mention accidents and injuries.

Think about this: If you attempt a brake replacement job yourself and you botch it up, you’re going to have three problems on your hands. The first is that you’ll need more replacement brake parts (which you already purchased once), the second is the extra damage caused by your mess-up, and the third is a potentially very dangerous situation. Brakes are a critical safety feature in your car. When the repairs are done, you could end up spending twice or triple the amount that you budgeted for.

With this is mind, do you still think it’s wise to try a DIY brake replacement?