BrandonC

So I just replaced my front rotors but left the old brake pads because it looked like they still have some life to them.

Should I also replace the brake pads too?

My fear is that the grooves on the old pads will transfer over to the new rotors, is a legitimate worry?

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

That's what I hear. Pads are cheap bro!

langjaykev

iTrader: (1)

you shoulda just done both at the same time!
front pads on sewell is like around 60 for both i think

allst4r

iTrader: (7)

rotors should be switch out every other brake pad change. Well that is how long mine has lasted and i use it as a daily driver to work. is350.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

Rotors should be switched out when you need rotors. Period.


That might be about every other pad change.

It might not be.

One has literally nothing to do with the other besides a bit of overlapping labor.

If the rotor isn't below spec, and doesn't have deep grooving, just replace the pads, bed properly, and go.

Defender46

iTrader: (2)

Rotors should be cut/turned when replacing pads but only replaced when below spec which like previously posted is about every other pad replacement on the front, rarely on the back.

Defender46

iTrader: (2)

And if the pads are good you can sand them back flat, just don't inhale too much dust.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

No they shouldn't... unless there's something otherwise wrong with them all that does is waste good rotor metal and get you closer to falling below minimum spec.

"rotors should always be cut" is something a shop tells you to sell you work you don't need.


Even GM has gotten over trying to screw owners out of rotor life with unneeded machining...In technical bulletin #00-05-22-002 to its dealers, GM says, "Brake rotors should only be turned when one of the following rotor surface conditions exist: severe scoring with depth in excess of 1.5 mm or 0.060 inch, pulsation from excessive lateral runout of more than .080 mm or .003 inch, thickness variation in excess of 0.025 mm or 0.001 inch, or excessive corrosion on rotor braking surfaces."

In other words, GM frowns on rotor resurfacing during what it calls "normal" pad replacement.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Neither of these are good suggestions. Rotors should never be cut unless there is damage. Sanding pads just removes useful service life. They will not wear your new rotors, they will flatten themselves out in time. There is no need to do anything but put the pads in, bed them, and call it a day.

Everyone being told they need to turn their rotors needs to watch this video. It completely debunks the theory of turned rotors being as good or better than rotors that have not been turned.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Why skimp on what stops your car, examine pads every 15k and replace as needed.

Defender46

iTrader: (2)

Well especially with the is350 your rotors develop huge lips that will cause noise and abnormal wear on the new pads, these lips are worse than what gm calls scoring or grooves, all about preference at the end of the day like anything else I suppose.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Hogwash. The lip does nothing of the sort - this is one of the biggest myths about rotors I've ever heard. Would you like to see the pics of the rotors on my IS-F right now? Full 0.5mm lip on the edge. Pads make no noise. Neither did the track pads once they got warm. I swap pads from track to street and back all the time.

My Supra has nearly a full millimeter of lip on the front rotors. No noise at all.

Turning rotors is BAD - see the video I linked. There is nothing good from turning a rotor unless it is deeply scored, in which case you ought to just replace it.

Defender46

iTrader: (2)

Ok, you're obviously more experienced than I am.

ecr527

Good, informational video. I personally would never turn my rotors, because A) I usually do all the (minor) work myself, and don't have the equipment to turn them, and B) nowadays rotors are relatively inexpensive and can just easily be replaced if need be.

CCJ22

iTrader: (26)

I'm curious. What causes my car to "jolt" when I come to a stop?
My pads or my rotors?