Sunrise Express Auto Repair (Express Services)
**Rating:** 1/5 stars I had a highly disappointing experience at Sunrise Car Care in Lake Bluff and cannot recommend them. First, their pricing is significantly inflated compared to other local shops for the exact same services. To make matters worse, they recommended expensive, entirely unnecessary repairs. I was told I needed to completely replace the caliper and hose on one of my rear wheels. Because the diagnosis seemed off, I took my car to a couple of other reputable shops for a second opinion. Both confirmed that a caliper replacement was absolutely not required—it simply needed a basic cleaning at best. Be careful bringing your vehicle here, and definitely get a second opinion before approving any major work they recommend. They will overcharge you and push for parts you don't actually need.
This repair wasn’t based on a guess. Rear pads and rotors were replaced, along with the right rear caliper and hose. The remaining side was advised to protect the service life of the new brake job, not because anyone claimed it had already failed. “Recommended” doesn’t mean we claimed a part was guaranteed to fail tomorrow. It means we identified a legitimate risk that deserves to be understood, then the decision is with the vehicle owner. A basic cleaning can free the slides and hardware. It CANNOT show what heat or corrosion may have done inside the caliper. The piston and internal seal are not visible during a cleaning, and a brake hose can restrict fluid return internally while looking completely normal outside. The brake may release today, then drag later and destroy your new pads and rotors. Another shop may choose to clean it, but that doesn’t erase the risk. It simply accepts it. This exact story just happened at our other location. Same advice, client declined replacing his calipers...... 6months later he took it to the dealer because he thought we were trying to upsell him on his last visit and when the dealer showed him the seized caliper and the new pads & rotors destroyed. He came back, apologized, and once he truly understood the internal risk, DEMANDED we replace both calipers not just the seized one. Paying for brakes twice is the education nobody wants. Seeking another opinion is fair. Calling a documented risk “pushing unnecessary parts” isn’t the full story. We document what failed, explain what can’t be guaranteed, and let the owner decide. We’d rather explain an uncomfortable risk once than stay silent and sell the same brake job twice. ~ Maricela, Owner 😇🚗✨
- Sunrise Express Auto Repair (Express Services)