Getting jacked by the dealer...

[cueball]

Well, I got caught. I must admit, I feel like a bit of a fool.

I went in to get winter tires installed, and like a good little naive consumer, I just went the safe route, and went to the dealer.

There is a long story to this, but I am a) too embarassed to tell all, and b) it's long. So the short story is:

They say I need to replace my front calipers because my caliper boots are torn.

I just did a quick search on this, and I got: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?p=186306&mode=linear#post186306

They apparently found some rebuilt calipers, so they're putting that on, but when they called I was at work and wasn't able to consult you friendly people.

Now that I've done that search, I guess it's a warranty-able issue? I purchased the extended warranty on this puppy, so I'm assuming I should be able to claim warranty.

Can you guys help me out with the problem of a "torn caliper boot"?

Am I justified in asking for at to be a warranty job?


Thanks a lot!!


EDIT: They initially quoted me something like 1300 for the job (with new brake pads, cuz they are at 30%), but now with the rebuilt calipers, it'll be like 700.

[BOOSTR]

You need to read the terms and conditions of the extended warranty. Unless items such as brakes and all hardware are specifically excluded, then its covered.

$1300/$700 is ridiculous to install 2 loaded calipers.

[livelyjay]

Calipers "should" be covered under an extended warranty, but they may put it under the wearable item category like brake pads and rotors. No way should that job cost that much. With simple hand tools I could do that entire job

AutoZone
Loaded pair of front calipers = $123 + $63 refundable core
Brake fluid = $4

It would take like 1 hour to install everything, and that's with a few beer breaks. Where the hell are they getting that retarded high amount from? You could buy a big brake kit for that much (EDIT: sorry, I read $1700, not $700, so no big brake kit)! If they don't cover it under warranty, have someone tow your shit home and do it yourself. Brakes are easy.

[livelyjay]

Also, my bad .... the loaded caliper in my price list above is for the 626 4-cylinder, while ours are from the 626 6-cylinder. Either way, it's under $200 for both calipers and pads.

[cueball]

Well, got my car back...

The short story of what ended up happening is that the extended warranty covered the caliper with the torn boot.

However, shop recommended I have the other one replaced as well... this seems to make sense to me.

However, the caliper they quoted me (is there a special one for our mazdaspeeds?) was ridiculously expensive.

So they recommended rebuilding the other one to save on costs. I told them that I'd do that on my own.


So my questions are:


Should I replace the other one, or should I rebuild it?
Or do I just leave it so I have one new caliper and the other just the factory one?
The part that livelyjay recommended being $200 for a pair of calipers, is that the correct part for our msp? Is is a DIY?
Any other recommendations?



Thanks for any help... sorry for the dumb questions

[fr0st]

the front are suposed to be normal calipers.. the back is another story..

i got one replaced under warranty by mazda and it costs 450$ can. !

[livelyjay]

Should I replace the other one, or should I rebuild it?
Or do I just leave it so I have one new caliper and the other just the factory one?
The part that livelyjay recommended being $200 for a pair of calipers, is that the correct part for our msp? Is is a DIY?
Any other recommendations?


I have been doing some searching online and have very different results from the online parts stores concerning calipers for the MSP. Some of the sites list special calipers for the MSP, some say all Proteges have the same calipers. In the end, I don't think you will have a problem just leaving the other caliper alone. I had one seize up on my old Civic and had only that one replaced (this was before I knew how to do work myself) and never had a problem after that.

[peajay]

a torn boot doesnt really mean anything honestly. depends on how bad but a small tear will eventually let dirt and gunk in there and then you risk it seizing on you. but unless it is leaking id say take some time and really do some research, if you can get a part number off the new caliper the dealer put on and search for the other side that way then do that.