Home page
SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors!  |  Advertise Here

Topic: Replace rotors with brake pads?

in Forum: Non-Vette Automotive Discussion


Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Replace rotors with brake pads? (1/11)
 8/1/13 5:27pm
Adam WartellLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
C3VR Founder
Send Private Message

Eagleville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79


Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 17609

Do you always need to replace rotors when you replace pads? I'm talking specifically about my 2002 Volvo S60, front brakes.  Is replacing the rotors done each time, or is there a rule that determines if they need replacement or not?

Thanks!



______________

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Our Sponsors help support C3VR
Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (2/11)
 8/1/13 5:37pm
Gunslinger
Former Member

Send Private Message

Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

As long as the rotors can be machined and stay within tolerance there's no need to be replaced.  The minimum thickness of the rotors should be cast into them.
Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (3/11)
 8/1/13 7:40pm
Adam WartellLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
C3VR Founder
Send Private Message

Eagleville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79


Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 17609

What if I have no access to machine them? Is it ok to just slap the new pads on without machining the rotor as long as it isn't terribly grooved and in thick enough?

Thanks!


______________

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (4/11)
 8/1/13 7:44pm
Gunslinger
Former Member

Send Private Message

Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior


Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

There's no reason not to machine the rotors and simply install new pads...but you might get some shimmy when pressing the brake pedal.  If you get no shimmy you're gold...if you do get shimmy it depends on how bad and how long you can live with it.
Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (5/11)
 8/1/13 10:53pm
B Woogie
Limited Member
Send Private Message

Joined: 7/7/2009
Posts: 35

It's usually best to machine the rotors, but not always necessary. Really depends on the condition of the rotors....and how bad you really need the car to stop. If there are no gouges, or deep grooves cut into the rotors, replacing the pads is ok. If the old pads were down to metal/metal contact with the rotors, the rotors really need to be machined, or replaced. You can put new pads on them, but they won't last very long.

______________

Every day I learn I know less than I thought I did.
Every time something is made idiot proof. The world produces a better idiot!

Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (6/11)
 8/2/13 5:29am
apasbigal
Former Member

Send Private Message

goldens bridge, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1972 T-Top 350 auto, matching numbers,Blue, ac


Joined: 11/3/2003
Posts: 498

Our other car, a daily driven VOLVO sx90 came due for brakes and the dealer said that they donot cut rotors so they only replace them , Mine were worn but not gouged nor grooved . I think I got taken . As said in prior post, there is a chance of shimmy . Try it ,you may be lucky Big Al

______________

Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (7/11)
 8/2/13 8:35am
dads2vetteLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Ash Fork, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Red Interior White exterior


Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1052

My daily drivers go for 250,000 miles plus.  I used to have the rotors machined with every pad change.  Way back when it was just a $10 charge to check and machine.  As of 10 or 12 yrs ago I couldn't find anyone who would machine them.  Now I just change the rotors every other pad change.  With the cheap prices on rotors, at least on the cars I have owned, it seems like the cost of getting them turned would probably exceed the cost of the rotor.

______________
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!!      Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"


Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192


Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (8/11)
 8/2/13 8:49am
Adam WartellLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
C3VR Founder
Send Private Message

Eagleville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79


Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 17609

It was just at the Volvo dealer who wanted to put pad on and replace the rotors.
The rotors are certainly not perfectly smooth, but not gouged, either.
Volvos are quite finiky and I wouldn't want to put aftermarket rotors on it. I haven't check, but I'm assuming the Vovlo ones are probably close to $200 for the set.  Rather not do that if I don't have to.
I drove it and they didn't feel bad to me. My wife is the daily driver of it, and she reported them feeling good, and "better" than before.

The one thing I did not do is put any brake caliper grease on the contact points or bolts.  (Didn't know I should).  I bought some yesterday and am thinking about pulling them back of tomorrow to lube everything.

Thanks!


______________

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (9/11)
 8/2/13 10:22am
eboLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4420

Yes grease the slide bolts, all the salt and grime does hold them up some times and with thickness of the new pads they will be in a different position.
Evil Smileebo


______________

Click on image for larger view!

LIFETIME MEMBER 151
Evil Smileebo
Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (10/11)
 8/2/13 12:30pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Most(but not all) vehicles since the mid '90s have throwaway rotors...meaning they are not designed to ever be machined. Car makers are trying to save weight everywhere they can, and rotors are one of those places. They're a lot thinner to start with, so machining them is pretty much out of the question, which is why most places refuse to turn them...they don't want the liability. If the rotors do not have a "Min Thickness" measurement cast into them, they are not meant to be machined. This is one reason new rotors are so much cheaper than they used to be....they are thinner to begin with.
There are some off-shore rotors that are junk, so you gotta be careful replacing them. Cheaper is not always better, especially when talking about brake components.
I bought new rotors for one of the Cadlacks last year....dam things were warped from the git go....Censored Angry  Just trying to save some dough, but it's bitin me on the bo-bo. I'll live with it, since my brake lathe is inaccessible at the time, but next time I put pads on, the rotors will get turned.

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: Replace rotors with brake pads? (11/11)
 8/5/13 4:59pm
Adam WartellLifetime Member
Lifetime Member
C3VR Founder
Send Private Message

Eagleville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79


Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 17609

Pulled the wheels off, pulled the calipers, removed the pads, wire-brushed all the contact points on the caliper, slide bolts and support bracket thingy, lubed it all, reinstalled the pads, and put everything back.   Not sure it feels any different, but nice to know it was done right this time.





______________

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Our Sponsors help support C3VR