Ok, here’s a quick question… what’s an easy way to save yourself $300? My answer last night was, “Change my own brakes!”

I couldn’t believe it when I called a local auto service center for a quote on a brake job on my ‘01 Alero. “Well, bring it in and we’ll take it for a test drive, then give you a quote.” “That’s all good and well,” I said, “But the reason I want a quote is to decide if it’s worth my time to even bring it over to you.”

“Oh, ok.. well for blah, blah and blah it will run $360.”

Talking about putting the brakes on.

“Errr….. thanks.” I said. Click.

A quick trip to Advanced Auto parts and $60 out of my pocket got me everything I needed to complete the job. It took me about 2 hours to change all the brakes and put a spanking shine on my aluminum alloy wheels.

I have to say, it was quite a treat turning a wrench again… it’s been a long time, and was long overdue… I forgot how good it actually feels to bang my knuckle on the underside of a car and get grease underneath my fingernails. Since my trade involves working at a computer all day coding award-winning websites[grin], it was very refreshing to build something physically tangible again. I need to do this more often!