My rear brake pads were replaced only about 2 years ago and i'd say about 90% of the pad thickness remains, but the rotors have become warped. I was wondering if it's ok to replace just the rotors and keep using the same pads or do I have to replace it all at the same time? Thanks
Do i have to replace pads with rotors
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Rears can be changed without pads, but I never suggest it for fronts
I replace both at the same time, but that is just me. I always prefer to have new pads breaking in on new rotors.
Originally Posted By: xxch4osxx
I replace both at the same time, but that is just me. I always prefer to have new pads breaking in on new rotors.
Ditto on that. I aleays put new pads on with new rotors.
I replace both at the same time, but that is just me. I always prefer to have new pads breaking in on new rotors.
Ditto on that. I aleays put new pads on with new rotors.
I do to, but it's not required for the rears. lets just say i won't do it for a customer.
I would have them turned. Rears don't take the grunt of stopping or the heat. save that money and put new pads on then
I would have them turned. Rears don't take the grunt of stopping or the heat. save that money and put new pads on then
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of course the proper answer is to replace the pads also. but... 80% of your braking is done by the fronts - so there probably isn't any harm
Well, in that case I'll probably just replace the pads with rotors. The pads are cheap, I just didn't want to be wasteful in the event that it didn't matter at all. If the proper answer is to replace both then I will do that since I don't cheap out when it comes to brakes.
For your own vehicle, if the pads are not worn much, as you describe, just scuff the friction surface of the pads on some 60-100 grit which is laying on a flat surface. This will allow the slightly used pads to break in with the new rotor surface together. Done it several times, no problem. Some of these newer vehicles tend to warp the rotors well before time to discard the pads, which are perfectly usable yet. Found it to occur often on 2002-2003 Expeditions. Or you can just throw away perfectly good pads and buy some more...
If the old rotors can be resurfaced and still used, why not go that route? Here I can get machined for $7 each and some places are $10 each. Unless you have the kind that cannot be resurfaced.
If the old rotors can be resurfaced and still used, why not go that route? Here I can get machined for $7 each and some places are $10 each. Unless you have the kind that cannot be resurfaced.
Or, as an option, buy that new set of rotors and still have the old ones machined, then set them aside to be ready for the next time they begin to pulse. May want to spray the new surfaces down with WD-40 to them keep from rusting, while waiting to be installed later.
Just some ideas and options.
Just some ideas and options.
JHZR2
Staff member
I see little point in tring to save $25 versus doing the job right for another 50k. What kind of car? If it is one prone to poor design and warped rotors in general (some honda products for example), then I might think differently, as it may just be a matter of when until the next time.
Originally Posted By: bmwtechguy
For your own vehicle, if the pads are not worn much, as you describe, just scuff the friction surface of the pads on some 60-100 grit which is laying on a flat surface. This will allow the slightly used pads to break in with the new rotor surface together. Done it several times, no problem.
I have done this in the past when it's a seldom used vehicle, or if I wanted to be cheap and did not have the money.
For your own vehicle, if the pads are not worn much, as you describe, just scuff the friction surface of the pads on some 60-100 grit which is laying on a flat surface. This will allow the slightly used pads to break in with the new rotor surface together. Done it several times, no problem.
I have done this in the past when it's a seldom used vehicle, or if I wanted to be cheap and did not have the money.
Get new cheap rotors and new good pads.
Yes, you can use the old pads, but they are not going to seat in quickly, and they can hot spot the rotor until they do. These hot spots cause pedal pulsation and maybe even warping over time.
like JHZR2 says, do both - really.
Yes, you can use the old pads, but they are not going to seat in quickly, and they can hot spot the rotor until they do. These hot spots cause pedal pulsation and maybe even warping over time.
like JHZR2 says, do both - really.
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