GaragePass
BOOK LIFT
DIY JOBS / BRAKES

Do Your Own Brake Job in the Bay Area

Pads, rotors, calipers, and fluid. Brakes are the job shops love to upsell. On a lift with the right tools, it’s an afternoon, and the wheels come off at waist height.

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Car lift, tool carts, and lounge under the loft at GaragePass, a DIY auto shop in the Bay Area
TIME ON A LIFT1 to 3 hours per axle. First-timers, book 3.
SKILL LEVELBeginner to intermediate. Take your time.
YOU BRINGPads, rotors, or calipers for your car. We’ve got the tools.

Every Tool for the Job, Already Here

We keep the shop stocked so you’re not buying a wind-back kit for one job.

See all tools →
Two-post liftsAll four wheels off the ground at waist height. No jack stands.
Impact gunsLug nuts and caliper bracket bolts come off in seconds.
Breaker barsFor the bracket bolt that hasn’t moved since 2011.
Caliper piston toolsCompressors for the front, wind-back tools for rear calipers.
Torque wrenchesLugs and brackets go back to spec. Non-negotiable on brakes.
Brake bleeding gearFor caliper swaps and fluid flushes.

How It Goes at GaragePass

  1. 01Book your lift.Use your hours, or grab some first on the booking page.
  2. 02Bring the right parts.Double-check front vs. rear and fitment for your exact car.
  3. 03Lift it and pull the wheels.Unbolt the caliper, swap pads and rotors, clean and grease the slides.
  4. 04Torque everything to spec.Caliper brackets and lug nuts, every one.
  5. 05Pump the pedal before you roll.Get a firm pedal, then bed in the pads the way the pad maker says.
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Why Do It Yourself?

Skip the upsell“Your rotors need replacing too.” Maybe. On a lift, you can see for yourself.
Pay for parts, not laborLabor is a big chunk of a shop brake bill. Do it yourself and you mostly pay for parts.
Pick your partsQuality pads, the rotors you want, clean slides. You know exactly what’s stopping your car.
AT A SHOP$150–300+ laborPads and rotors take about 1–2 hours of labor per axle at $150+ an hour, before parts markup and upsells.
AT GARAGEPASS$15–901–3 hours of lift time at $15–30 an hour, tools included. Parts at AutoZone pro pricing.

Estimates. Bay Area shop labor often runs $150+ an hour and quotes vary. Membership rates shown before the $10/mo processing fee.

FAQ

Is it safe to do my own brakes?

Brakes are safety-critical, so slow down and torque everything to spec. Pump the pedal until it’s firm before the car moves. Not sure about something? Ask before you drive off.

Can I flush my brake fluid here?

Yes, we’ve got bleeding gear. Bring fresh fluid that matches your car’s spec. It’s usually printed on the reservoir cap.

I’ve never done brakes. Can I learn first?

Yep. Check our classes for the Brakes & Rotors seminar, then come do it yourself.

How much lift time should I book?

Book 2 to 3 hours for your first axle. If you finish early, unused hours get refunded.

More Jobs Members Do Here

All DIY jobs →
Oil ChangesDrain, swap the filter, dump the old oil in our containers.See the job → Spark Plugs & CoilsThe cheapest tune-up there is, with every socket you need.See the job → Engine, Transmission & ClutchEngine hoist, trans jacks, and parking for the long haul.See the job → All DIY JobsSuspension, exhaust, bearings, restorations, and more.See everything →

Ready to Wrench?

Book your lift time and get to work. Never been in? Come see the shop first. Tours are free. Lift time runs $15–30/hr with a membership, or $50/hr with a day pass.

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You do the work. GaragePass is a DIY shop, not a repair shop: we provide the lift, tools, and space. 950 77th Ave, Oakland, CA 94621 · Questions? Email info@garagepass.co