Price check on indy maintenance items, please

My rear brake pad warning light is coming on consistently, and after a recharge 3 years ago the A/C is no longer blowing cold. Victim is an '02 C4 cab w/ 55k miles on the clock. My indy quoted $225-250 for the rear pads installed, and $225-250 for the A/C recharge for a total of ~$500. Are either of these jobs easy DIY for the mechanically un-inclined? Pricing seem about right? Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm also thinking of going w/ the Hawk pads from OG Racing -either the HPS or their ceramic pads which are currently on sale.

Not sure about the AC project, but changing your rotors and pads is super simple. I am fairly handy, but a complete novice when it comes to anything having to do with cars. I watched these videos, and did my rear pads and rotors in about 2-ish hours. It really is as simple as it looks. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-tutorial.html

One thing to note, if your pad sensors have activated, you need to replace those as well. Once again, super easy....

If the A/C is blowing hot after just 3 years there's a leak. Brake pads are I suspect easy. I've done my Boxster pads and rotors several times. I've not done the Turbo's pads/rotors yet but expect to when they need doing. For the AC the dealer uses a semi-automated system that purges the refrigerant, flushes out all the oil (and shows how much oil was removed), then holds the system under a low pressure (vacuum) for long enough (some say 30 minutes, more recently I was told 1 hour) to ensure there is no leak, and then refill the system with refrigerant and the proper amount of oil. Given the above I'd not attempt to do the A/C service myself. There's the leak possibility, and then dealing with getting the right amount of refrigerant and oil back into the system.

Thanks Chomper129 and Macster - I think I'll follow your advice and tackle the rear brakes myself and let the indy handle the A/C recharge (and yes, he has the same machine you describe - put dye in last time but couldn't find a leak so it must be very small). Thanks for the video link and the encouragement.

They should be ok, but check the thickness on the rotors as well. Sorry, can't remember the spec off the top of my head, but too thin, and you will crack them or worse.

Have you ever changed pads on a car before?

The Pelican Parts website has a great selection of DIY articles and pictures. I would add +1 for the do your own brakes and let the professionals and handle the AC charge.

Assuming your indy is quoting you new OEM pads and new replacement sensor, and reusing the vibration dampeners, the price for the rear brakes seems reasonable. They're an easy DIY job if you like doing the work yourself, but the parts (using Textar OEM pads) are around $100 by themselves, so you are only paying $125-150 for labor. +1 on having the A/C system properly diagnosed and repaired by a pro.

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No, this will be my first experience attempting this procedure.

all sounds about right to me.. its a Porsche not a chebby

Most anything from parts and accessories to labor for Porsche will include the (Porsche) tax. I bought a can of 134a refrigerant today for $12 to recharge my wife's a/c in her Boxster. It will take me about 15-20 minutes. I bought some front brake pads from an online supplier for my Turbo for under $33 shipped. I know I'll get flamed. I can install them in about 30 miuntes. I have actually done them on my Jeep in 20 minutes, timed with tools put away. OK, so a few dollars in parts, 45 minutes to an hour labor, $500 or so is fair for a P car owner. What do they charge for what they do?

Hi skiracer, we've created a helpful DIY for this project which will walk you through the process step-by-step as well as link you to the catalog page so you can shop for the required parts. Let us know if you have any questions: 996 Brake Pad Replacement Mark/Pelican Parts

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Thanks for the great link, Mark - your site seems very thorough and well laid out. Turn out I also need front pads, and F&R rotors are also in need of replacement - short on time so I'll have a local indy do the work this time.

'racer, I think you could do the A/C recharge. It's simple and you won't even get dirty. You just need a gauge and hose kit, $20-$40 and a can of R134a. If it needs a charge now, it'll probably need one every year this time. 30 minute job the first time.

Pads should take you less than 45 minutes for your first time.

Why did you need AC? Your in Colorado and its a CAB!!!!!!

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I drive the car regularly, including an hour commute to my customer's site - I am often on calls, and driving back last Thursday it was 95 deg as I drove thru downtown Denver. Can't put the top down in heavy traffic, and too hot w/o A/C!