Need brakes: do pads, or pads & rotors?

[Bftfan]

Normally on some of the crap I use to drive I end up changing pads & rotors whenever I do my brakes. Today I pulled the wheels on my '08 T4R and at 61k miles the pads are just about shot but the rotors looked perfect! Mind you I didn't mic them but there no grooves and they all look evenly worn. So I ask you this... at 61k miles is it reasonable to just change the pads and at the next brake job then do the pads & rotors or am I just being a cheap #$% and I should spend the extra $250 and do all 4 rotors right now too?

 

[foxtrot]

i would never do rotors unless it is needed. maybe get them turned but if they don't need replaced why spend the extra money.

 

[ChaosStarter]

Normally on some of the crap I use to drive I end up changing pads & rotors whenever I do my brakes. Today I pulled the wheels on my '08 T4R and at 61k miles the pads are just about shot but the rotors looked perfect! Mind you I didn't mic them but there no grooves and they all look evenly worn. So I ask you this... at 61k miles is it reasonable to just change the pads and at the next brake job then do the pads & rotors or am I just being a cheap #$% and I should spend the extra $250 and do all 4 rotors right now too?

I machine my rotors (when possible) every time I do a brake job (it's easy when you have access to the pro-cut). Sure you're taking away physical width from the rotor, but sometimes it needs it anyway due to a bit of warpage.

btw. minimum width spec on those rotors is 26mm. So take that into account if you're having them machined.

 

[xxaarraa]

For me, its a time and hassle driven decision. To have the whole thing apart is pain enough that I toss in new rotors each time (40-50k miles). Rotors are so cheap these days ($120-130 for a pair) so why bother getting them turned ($50-60?).

 

[cabowally]

For me, its a time and hassle driven decision. To have the whole thing apart is pain enough that I toss in new rotors each time (40-50k miles). Rotors are so cheap these days ($120-130 for a pair) so why bother getting them turned ($50-60?).

I'm not anything close to an environut but this sure seems wasteful. I currently have:

A 2008 4R with 75k miles that still has the original rotors
A 2000 Tundra with 199k that has had rotors turned 2x and 1 replaced
A 2001 325xi with 54k on it that still has the original rotors.
And sold a 2003 4R with 130k last year that had had one replaced.

Four cars and 458,000 miles and a total of 2 new rotors.

No buddy's business how you want to spend your money but your local landfill might be taking a beating.







.

 

[boondoggle]

I'd probably just turn them at the very least since they're still low miles and you didn't say you felt any warping or anything. I think autozone etc will turn rotors for about $15 each.

If you do buy rotors I'd skip the slotted/drilled type for an SUV application. Often more risk of a cracked rotor on drilled rotors.

 

[Presta24]

i would get the rotors looked at if you dont know what your looking for, get em turned if needed, or replace. if your rotors are grooved or warped just a little bit doing just a pad slap will cause you to go through pads faster and might vibrate/pulse. my .02

 

[<<<<]

While rotors on the car check runoff by using dial indicator. If off more than specs turn or replace.

 

[xxaarraa]

I'm not anything close to an environut but this sure seems wasteful. I currently have:

A 2008 4R with 75k miles that still has the original rotors
A 2000 Tundra with 199k that has had rotors turned 2x and 1 replaced
A 2001 325xi with 54k on it that still has the original rotors.
And sold a 2003 4R with 130k last year that had had one replaced.

Four cars and 458,000 miles and a total of 2 new rotors.

No buddy's business how you want to spend your money but your local landfill might be taking a beating.







.

Your miles and driving history are of little relevance actually. Everyone's driving style/commute/load and breaking behavior is entirely different. I have had cars that have had brakes last a long time, others needing it at 40-45k miles. Really depends. Your point is akin to saying "I pay $x for insurance, so why are you paying more?"

Regarding impact on the environment, I won't even touch that as we each have no idea what kind of lifestyle we lead.

 

[xxaarraa]

I'm not anything close to an environut but this sure seems wasteful. I currently have:

A 2008 4R with 75k miles that still has the original rotors
A 2000 Tundra with 199k that has had rotors turned 2x and 1 replaced
A 2001 325xi with 54k on it that still has the original rotors.
And sold a 2003 4R with 130k last year that had had one replaced.

Four cars and 458,000 miles and a total of 2 new rotors.

No buddy's business how you want to spend your money but your local landfill might be taking a beating.







.

Your miles and driving history are of little relevance actually. Everyone's driving style/commute/load and breaking behavior is entirely different. I have had cars that have had brakes last a long time, others needing it at 40-45k miles. Really depends.

Your point is akin to saying "I pay $x for insurance, so why are you paying more?"

 

[zonianbrat]

I agree with X on this one. It depends on your driving style and the terrain where you live. I am somewhat up in the mountains of Colorado and drive over Rabbit Ears pass and Cameron pass about every two to three weeks. The grades on these pass's are around 7%. It doesnt take long to go through a set of rotors coming down those pass's. I down shift as much as possible but there are quite a few bends and I still have to use my brakes. Before my t4R I had a heavy tahoe with drums in the back and discs up front. I would be lucky to get 30k miles out of a set of rotors before they needed turned/replaced. So far the t4R is at about 40k on these rotors and I am starting to get some pulsing action.

 

[cabowally]

I agree with X on this one. It depends on your driving style and the terrain where you live. I am somewhat up in the mountains of Colorado and drive over Rabbit Ears pass and Cameron pass about every two to three weeks.

The guy said:

"For me, it’s a time and hassle driven decision. To have the whole thing apart is pain enough that I toss in new rotors each time "

He said nothing about the stuff you said. He tosses IN new rotors each time...That means he tosses out the old ones EVERY TIME. Whether or not there is anything wrong...P.S. he doesn't even check...

His comment has no reference to the NEED to replace. Purely a way to avoid some hassle.

I don't get it.

p.s. the 1 rotor that I replaced on the 2003 4R was as a result of braking on the back side of Vail Pass with a 12 foot trailer attached to the back end. In a snow storm.

 

[cabowally]

Your miles and driving history are of little relevance actually. Everyone's driving style/commute/load and breaking behavior is entirely different. I have had cars that have had brakes last a long time, others needing it at 40-45k miles. Really depends. Your point is akin to saying "I pay $x for insurance, so why are you paying more?"

Regarding impact on the environment, I won't even touch that as we each have no idea what kind of lifestyle we lead.

You are silly but God bless you...

My driving miles are actually totally relevant in your world because...If I thought as you do, I would have "tossed" somewhere around 40+ rotors vs. the 2 that I actually have.

However, since you skillfully redirected the response away from your "its a time and hassle driven decision. To have the whole thing apart is pain enough that I toss in new rotors each time (40-50k miles). Rotors are so cheap these days ($120-130 for a pair) so why bother getting them turned ($50-60?)." to this:

"Everyone's driving style/commute/load and breaking behavior is entirely different. I have had cars that have had brakes last a long time, others needing it at 40-45k miles. Really depends.

Your point is akin to saying "I pay $x for insurance, so why are you paying more?"


Dude: It's simple. You made a "I-toss-rotors-every-40-50k comment." You said it...It was your words. Don't attempt to argue some other driving style/commute/load and breaking behavior BS.








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[zonianbrat]

The guy said:

"For me, it’s a time and hassle driven decision. To have the whole thing apart is pain enough that I toss in new rotors each time "

He said nothing about the stuff you said. He tosses IN new rotors each time...That means he tosses out the old ones EVERY TIME. Whether or not there is anything wrong...P.S. he doesn't even check...

His comment has no reference to the NEED to replace. Purely a way to avoid some hassle.

I don't get it.

p.s. the 1 rotor that I replaced on the 2003 4R was as a result of braking on the back side of Vail Pass with a 12 foot trailer attached to the back end. In a snow storm.

I see your point to an extent. Many people are wasteful. Heck, my own father and I got into an argument because he owns a older Lincoln Towncar that he loves. Well the AC compressor started squealing like a bearing was going out then it siezed. Well he had the stealership not only replace the compressor but the entire AC system short of the fan motor. Why? because he didnt want to have to start replacing other parts that were older than the compressor. Yeah I thought it was dumb but it's his money and he is an American so he spends it how he chooses. So maybe we are all reading into this post a little too far. Some people change synthetic oil every 3000 miles. If it is disposed of correctly it will be recycled and ironically probably sold for more than originally priced. If in fact he is changing his rotors every time he changes pads then maybe he is buying cheap rotors to begin with..In some instances you do get what you pay for and cheap rotors dont go very far. I also understand you may not be an environut. If you think a couple of rotors that may even be recycled and reused is filling our landfills...well why dont we analyze our own refuse and our habits. Ever notice all the plastic non bio-degradable bottles in the laundry detergent isle at Wal-Mart? Where do all those go? How many bottles of it do we buy a year? Look at drinking water bottles. I read somewhere that we drink and throw away enough water bottles every year that they could be layed out end to end and go around the world a couple of times. Ever notice all the trucks that come over the border from Canada? Probably not but, a little known fact is that we bring trash from Canada to put into our own landfills! They pay us so they dont have to destroy/pollute their own environment (pretty smart) Least of my worries is a couple of rotors that more than likely are seperated into a metal bin that then are melted down and re-used. I am not trying to start a fight/post-war with you and I sincerely hope you dont take this that way. I am simply rambling because I dont like what is going on in our landfills either. And it is also 2:18 a.m. and I am getting delerious.:jump:

 

[xxaarraa]

You are silly but God bless you...

My driving miles are actually totally relevant in your world because...If I thought as you do, I would have "tossed" somewhere around 40+ rotors vs. the 2 that I actually have.

However, since you skillfully redirected the response away from your "its a time and hassle driven decision. To have the whole thing apart is pain enough that I toss in new rotors each time (40-50k miles). Rotors are so cheap these days ($120-130 for a pair) so why bother getting them turned ($50-60?)." to this:

"Everyone's driving style/commute/load and breaking behavior is entirely different. I have had cars that have had brakes last a long time, others needing it at 40-45k miles. Really depends.

Your point is akin to saying "I pay $x for insurance, so why are you paying more?"


Dude: It's simple. You made a "I-toss-rotors-every-40-50k comment." You said it...It was your words. Don't attempt to argue some other driving style/commute/load and breaking behavior BS.








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I find it really funny that a guy on an SUV forum is arguing about environmental effects and landfills.

Math may not be your strong suit. 450k miles divided by 50k miles per rotor = 9 pairs of rotors. Not 40+ rotors.

I am glad you are keeping the landfills clean, because I going to continue sending my 45k rotors over there!

 

[KidVermicious]

I am glad you are keeping the landfills clean, because I going to continue sending my 45k rotors over there!

I have a better idea - how about waiting to turn or replace your rotors until it's actually necessary, and sending me the money you saved? That way we'll all three be happy. You still get to waste money, dudeman gets less rotors in the landfill, and I get more beer. It's perfect.

 

[cabowally]

Math may not be your strong suit. 450k miles divided by 50k miles per rotor = 9 pairs of rotors. Not 40+ rotors.

Last I checked there are 4 rotors on a car.