I’m not a mechanic but this is not always true. Once again I found that my VW needs special everything and costs more, even just to go to Valvoline or someplace and get an oil change. It needs special coolant and some other things too.
This probably wouldn’t apply to the OP though. I think Ford and GM cars and such would be pretty standard.
After I replace them, I use a tape measure to try and measure that it’s toed in a just a little. Then I drive it directly to a shop and have a real alignment done.
I go to a tire place at get it aligned for about $40 to $50. It’s usually the most expensive part of the job.
Crafter_Man, glad to hear it. I used to use one of those spring loaded, adjustable curtain rods. I scribed some measurement lines on it, mainly for VWs. It worked surprisingly well.
unfortunately it is easy to chew up a set of rotors if you wear your brake pads into the rivets. You could do the brakes and rotors yourself and save the labor. Find someone with basic tools and get a repair manual for the car. If you’re on a tight budget you can get junkyard rotors but it isn’t something I would recommend. You can buy a 1-man bleeder kit for $5 at an auto store.
Don’t buy metalic brake pads unless you plan on stopping your car repeatedly at 100 mph. They cost more and won’t give you anything for your money.
If it turns out your rotors are not damaged beyond repair you can take them off and have them resurfaced. A parts store can check them for you.
It’s impossible to accurately judge the work needed on your car via the internet but it is possible for tie rods to come apart. It is pretty rare but you don’t want to be on the receiving end of it.
Sigh.
This is not helpful advice. In fact it’s wrong, and potentially dangerous advice.
Do not try to choose between metallic and organic pads. The engineers who designed the car already made that decision. Different pad types have different effective heat ranges, which the engineers factor in when designing a car. Using organic pads where metallic are called for, or vice versa, can result in substandard braking performance.
You want the type of pads that came on the car from the factory.