BARGAINS : GET YOUR TOOLS AND BRAKE FOR SAVINGS AT SOL'S.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

Whether you do it to save dollars, or because you love tinkering with autos, you can save plenty of money on name-brand, under-car parts - axles, brake pads, clutches, shocks, struts, calipers, rack-and-pinion mechanisms, master cylinders, etc. - at Sol's Brake Supply.

For example, if you were to have the brake pads replaced on a 1998 four-cylinder Honda Accord, it would run $160 (pad replacement only, no machining of the rotors) at a local Honda dealership. If you do the job yourself, Raybestos brake pads (guaranteed for the life of the vehicle) will cost you $28 for a set of four. If you don't need a lifetime guarantee, other top-quality brake pads are $18 for a set of four.

Family owned and operated, Sol's Brake Supply has been selling first-quality domestic and imported under-car parts to local mechanics (independent and franchise) and the public since 1982. You won't find a fancy showroom, just a service counter fronting a warehouse with inventory that includes 1997 and 1998 parts not yet stocked by most auto parts stores. If it's not in stock, special orders are no problem.

Sol's Brake Supply doesn't play games with prices. This is a pet peeve of our mechanically inclined friends. At some chain stores, each person who answers the phone offers a different price. If you require a price for a specific part, not only will you be quoted the same price by any member of Sol's knowledgeable and courteous staff, customers may also get the quote in Armenian, Farsi, Spanish and English. Also, if you present a current print ad, Sol's will match prices of other auto parts stores.

If you don't have a talent for working on cars, you might want to ask your regular mechanic if you can provide your own parts. If this is acceptable to your mechanic, savings usually start at about 30 percent for parts only.

Sol's Brake Supply is at 7951 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood; [phone]. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Cash, American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Inside info

In your home or business, the Ground Floor restores marble, travertine and terrazzo stone that is dull, scratched, stained or broken. Restoring your stone, instead of purchasing new, can save you thousands of dollars. The Ground Floor offers free estimates and will provide you with a free stain remover guide for all types of stone. The company also does high-pressure steam cleaning of garages, pool decks, shopping centers and driveways, and it sells do-it-yourself maintenance products as well. Call the Ground Floor to schedule an appointment, or for a free stain-remover guide, [phone] or [phone]. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Please Be Seated stocks more than 600 used seats for automobiles, trucks, vans, RVs and jeeps at savings of up to 50 percent off dealer prices. For example, a 1997-98 Chevy pickup truck bench seat costs $1,250 used instead of $2,500 new. Prices start at $65 for seats. You'll find seats for models dating back to 1937. If you can't make it to Palmdale, call with the type of vehicle and seat; if it's in stock, they generally will deliver at no cost. Please Be Seated is at 37167 Sierra Highway, Palmdale; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

A note to our readers: If you are looking for a past Bargains column, try your local public library. Many branches keep back issues of the Daily News either in hard copy or on microfilm and may be able to assist you.