Is it OK to replace rotors that pulsate and leave the pads as is? The pads have a lot of meat on them still.
Replace rotors and leave pads?
- Thread starter lancerplayer
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I have done it. Be warned that the brakes won't work too well untill the high spots wear off the used pads
Please renew new the pads. Seems like putting one new sock on one foot
and a old one on the other. Pads are inexpensive,do it right
and a old one on the other. Pads are inexpensive,do it right
All the time. Just sand the pads with 80 grit.
I have done it. When you are a dealer tech and a vehicle comes in with a brake pulsation that is covered under warranty you machine the rotors and use the same pads. Of course if the pads were in bad shape replacement would be recommended. I found the pads were in good shape 99.9 percent of the time.
When I bought my car it had a pulsation, car had 95k on it, pads were Toyota pads put on at 60k. I am 135k now with no issues and it's looking like I might make it to 160k on same pads.
I found no reason to replace them, they have functioned perfectly and continue to do so. Of course I'm the type that takes everything apart every year or two and cleans and lubes everything.
I still have the new pads in the box I didn't use.
If pads are grooved, starting to delaminate from the backing or are rusty I would replace them.
When I bought my car it had a pulsation, car had 95k on it, pads were Toyota pads put on at 60k. I am 135k now with no issues and it's looking like I might make it to 160k on same pads.
I found no reason to replace them, they have functioned perfectly and continue to do so. Of course I'm the type that takes everything apart every year or two and cleans and lubes everything.
I still have the new pads in the box I didn't use.
If pads are grooved, starting to delaminate from the backing or are rusty I would replace them.
I read this after my shower and put my old underwear back on.
I turned mine inside out first.
Key words that apply to an answer to your question... ok? can? should? Anything is ok if you rationalize it... you can in fact reuse the brake pad... you'd be better off matching new brake pads to new rotors.
Unless the pads are nearly new, I have a policy that if I can afford it and the work exceeds the cost/value of the used high-wear parts, I'd replace the parts. Brake jobs are an expensive hassle and the pads are a very small expense in the job. And bad pads might screw up the rotors or the rest of the job. I'd opt to replace the pads.
Brakes are a hassle; jack up the car, pull off the wheel, unpack the brake pads, maybe bleed the systems, etc. I don't want to have to re-do it.
If it's a simple job or an expensive non-wear part, I'd just leave it on. Let's say you have to remove a old but good working $100 battery to get to something else to repair it. I'd reinstall the used battery since it's expensive and still has a lot of life. It's simple to replace it as needed.
Brakes are a hassle; jack up the car, pull off the wheel, unpack the brake pads, maybe bleed the systems, etc. I don't want to have to re-do it.
If it's a simple job or an expensive non-wear part, I'd just leave it on. Let's say you have to remove a old but good working $100 battery to get to something else to repair it. I'd reinstall the used battery since it's expensive and still has a lot of life. It's simple to replace it as needed.
Are they worn evenly? Compare inner and outer pad. Compare each pad top to bottom as well.
If they are OK, I imagine you could reuse them; I never have.
If they are OK, I imagine you could reuse them; I never have.
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I just got rotors for the Escape. Replaced the pads last year with the calipers then the rotors warped so they pulsate now. I’m not going to put new brake pads on just do the rotors and sand the pads slightly.
Replace both. It's not worth the money and time to because brake pads are cheap. Let the new ones wear together evenly.
But they’re not. $50+ per set is common now. Many OE pads are at/above $100.
If the pads only have a few thousand miles on them, I'd do it. It depends on how much "meat" is left. I have a friend who did front brakes on his wife's car, and said the rotors "looked good." About 6k miles later she was complaining of the brakes pulsating after he did rear brakes and rotors, which were shot. He asked if I would have a look and help him this time. I had a look at the front brakes and rotors and suggested replacing the rotors, we salvaged the pads, pulsation is gone. I cleaned the pads and gave them a very light sanding. This was done over a year ago.
If I have to replace the rotors, I will always replace the pads.
Im also in the mind set that if you are that deep into a brake job, replace the pads.. BUT I've reused pads on new rotors in a pinch and younger, and got 10's of thousands of miles out of them.
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