Can the same pads fit different size rotors?

[A_User55555]

A few days ago I was browsing Amazon Warehouse for parts for my 2011 DTS.

Eventually I encountered an OEM rear brake rotor for $11. However the description said it did not fit my car.

I did a little digging and discovered that the rotor I found was meant for 2006-2008 DTS Models.

From what I know, the brakes did not change from the 2006-2011 Model year. So I wanted to find out the difference.

I went on AC Delco's part catalog and found out that the 2006-2011 years used the same rear brake pads, rear brake calipers, wheel hub. The part numbers for the AC Delco advantage rotors were the same. So it seems nothing changed in terms of size.

The part number for this rotor is AC Delco 177-1002
The part number for the rotor that officially fits my car is 177-1123

The only change I know of was that in 2008, GM started using a newer coating on their rotors.

Can rotors differ in size between model years, but be compatible with the same pads/equipment? I don't think its possible to change the dimensions of a rotor without having to change the size of brake pads its paired with.

That means the only difference with these $10 rotors is the coating on them. It may not be the latest technology, but it must be wayy better than the coatings used on the Advantage line or a rotor without any coating on them.

 

[Dave9]

Yes the same pad dimension could be reused with a little larger or smaller rotor. They aren't quite THAT custom fit. It's more about if the caliper stayed the same piston size and #. I only mean it's technically possible to make that work, to their benefit with a lower parts count needed, not whether that's what they did. It IS GM!

The Advantage line is a crapshoot of where they got the lowest bit to make them. I wouldn't base anything off that.

Then again it comes off like you want a legion of help to save very few dollars to keep driving a Cadillac DTS.

Maybe it was the wrong car for your budget? It's only going to get more expensive as time ticks by... just sayin', if saving a couple dozen dollars on a rotor matters now, I'd get rid of it before something more substantial fails.

If you want a premium ride, you're not putting ACDelco Advantage on it.

On the other hand, parts listings are subject to human error, even if you have all the technical data possible that risk is not ruled out. It comes back to amount of gamble vs time spent if it's a losing bet.

 

[demarpaint]

In the case of my 2008 Liberty and 2016 Rubicon they can. They take different rotors and use the same pads on the front and rear of the vehicles.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Originally Posted by A_User55555

Can rotors differ in size between model years, but be compatible with the same pads/equipment? I don't think its possible to change the dimensions of a rotor without having to change the size of brake pads its paired with.


Sure, why not. A slightly larger or smaller rotor may not require a design mod of the caliper position relative to the hub, so long as the overall change to rotor diameter isn't extreme. There will certainly be (physical) limits to doing this though, notwithstanding a modification.

 

[DuckRyder]

Typically the caliper carrier is different to move the caliper in and out in cases where the rotor size changed.

 

[Hall]

Yes, the same pad can be used on different sized rotors. The pads are mostly in line with the outer diameter so that will simply leave more unswept rotor surface towards the inner diameter.

 

[Pelican]

Originally Posted by Dave9
Then again it comes off like you want a legion of help to save very few dollars to keep driving a Cadillac DTS.
Maybe it was the wrong car for your budget? It's only going to get more expensive as time ticks by... just sayin', if saving a couple dozen dollars on a rotor matters now, I'd get rid of it before something more substantial fails.


I see this a lot, people who drive cars they can't afford to maintain. I remember when The Subaru WRX STI came on the market and people found out how much a brake job was, so they sold it as they couldn't/wouldn't spend that much on it.

 

[doitmyself]

Originally Posted by Pelican
Originally Posted by Dave9
Then again it comes off like you want a legion of help to save very few dollars to keep driving a Cadillac DTS.
Maybe it was the wrong car for your budget? It's only going to get more expensive as time ticks by... just sayin', if saving a couple dozen dollars on a rotor matters now, I'd get rid of it before something more substantial fails.

I see this a lot, people who drive cars they can't afford to maintain. I remember when The Subaru WRX STI came on the market and people found out how much a brake job was, so they sold it as they couldn't/wouldn't spend that much on it.


What does any of this have to do with the OP's question? What facts do you guys have to form these assumptions?

Overkill was SO right in a recent thread. The self righteous here cannot resist a chance to spout off and move a thread off topic.

If you can't hold back, start your own threads.

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted by doitmyself
Overkill was SO right in a recent thread. The self righteous here cannot resist a chance to spout off and move a thread off topic.

"Like"

 

[benjy]

Amazon fitment info is POOR at best! check manufacturers sites etc. bought rotors that amazon said did not fit but manufacturer said yes + of course they fit. at least amazon has free returns, fine if not in a hurry!

 

[Pelican]

Originally Posted by doitmyself
Originally Posted by Pelican
Originally Posted by Dave9
Then again it comes off like you want a legion of help to save very few dollars to keep driving a Cadillac DTS.
Maybe it was the wrong car for your budget? It's only going to get more expensive as time ticks by... just sayin', if saving a couple dozen dollars on a rotor matters now, I'd get rid of it before something more substantial fails.

I see this a lot, people who drive cars they can't afford to maintain. I remember when The Subaru WRX STI came on the market and people found out how much a brake job was, so they sold it as they couldn't/wouldn't spend that much on it.


What does any of this have to do with the OP's question? What facts do you guys have to form these assumptions?

Overkill was SO right in a recent thread. The self righteous here cannot resist a chance to spout off and move a thread off topic.

If you can't hold back, start your own threads.


Perhaps all the work he's doing to save $10 on a cadillac. That would be my 1st cue, what's yours?

 

[A_User55555]

Originally Posted by Dave9


Then again it comes off like you want a legion of help to save very few dollars to keep driving a Cadillac DTS.

Maybe it was the wrong car for your budget? It's only going to get more expensive as time ticks by... just sayin', if saving a couple dozen dollars on a rotor matters now, I'd get rid of it before something more substantial fails.




What's wrong with trying to save money? First off,The 177-1002 rotors I'm looking at each cost ~$70 online and $100+ at the dealer. It would be a steal if I get them for $10.

The DTS does not have an exclusive brake setup. The average price of a quality rotor is $30 and a set of pads is $30. A lot of the brake components were shared in other GM models. The brakes on this model aren't expensive to begin with.

A lot of people have also used the advantage brake parts on this car with no issues. They are always recommended on cadillacforums. I would have probably bought this brand at some point.

If this rotor is physically compatible, that means I can get OEM quality rotors for less than the price of one economy rotor.

 

[bdcardinal]

Not the same application, but the front calipers I have on my 95 Mustang which are off of a 2000 Cobra R use the same pads as a Dodge Viper which has a larger diameter rotor.