Do I always need to replace rotors with brake pads?
Posted by StarsAndSweaters@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 64 comments
Took my 2005 dodge neon into Midas to have the brake pads replaced (it’s been about 3 years since i had new pads and new front rotors put on.) Brake light turned on, and they are much slower to break. However the pedal does NOT vibrate and there’s not really a noticeable grinding or squeaking sound- it hasn’t even been 30,000 miles since I put new rotors on. It only squeaks a tiny bit of it heavily rains and has been sitting.
I haven’t seen what the rotors physically look like so idk if they’re severely warped or have deep grooves.
Should I ask for a picture of the rotors before they do anything? or just take his advice?
I’m told he’s probably trying to upsell but idk not much of a car person and I’m REALLY not trying to spend a lot on this clunker. we’re moving overseas in 8 months so I genuinely just need it to last about that long and Just be functional -enough- without being a major safety hazard. If I sell it for scraps then fine idc lol just need it to be safe and last in the meantime. Any advice helps, thanks!
TheJumpyBean@reddit
Nope, this is a super common thing shops don’t squeeze more money out of people. My friend has had her rotors replaced 4 times in 3 years because she keeps agreeing to it 🥲 I would deny repairs on the rotors, and look up a quick YouTube video on how to tell if they need replacement when it gets back. Also could be worth finding a new place to take the car in the future
87turbogn@reddit
If one foot on the brake and one on the gas is good enough for Sammy Hagar, it's good enough for her.
Tallguystrongman@reddit
How…how is she going through 4 sets of pads in 3 years?? I know auto trans go through more but gddm. I’m at least 100,000k per set.
Equivalent_Thievery@reddit
Probably a 2 foot driver who rests their foot on brake while driving.
TheJumpyBean@reddit
Because she’s just agreeing to whatever bootleg shop/jiffy lube says she needs and gets ripped
Tallguystrongman@reddit
Ahh, yeah, that sucks. I just assumed that they were actual worn out.
This-Fisherman-7422@reddit
If the general public wasn't fucking delusional we could still pad slap. However after non stop crying about every little squeak we only do pads and rotors as a set now.
87turbogn@reddit
If one foot on the brake and one on the gas is good enough for Sammy Hagar, it's good enough for her.
Substantial_Team6751@reddit
I've slipped in new pads on old rotors many times - way more times than I ever replaced rotors.
Shops don't like to do this because they don't want to hear complaints about squeaks or little vibrations.
This is an easy DIY project. Tire off, take out old pads, retract pistons, slip in new pads. Done.
No_Geologist_3690@reddit
What you do in your back yard isn’t what professionals do. They need resurfaced at minimum, replacement is usually preferred. The pads need a flat mating surface to bed in.
chef-keef@reddit
Bull. Shit.
No_Geologist_3690@reddit
Is this askshittymechanics? Not one of you guys have no idea what you’re talking about.
chef-keef@reddit
You probably believe in lifetime fluids too.
No_Geologist_3690@reddit
No, I don’t.
AwarenessGreat282@reddit
It used to be the way back in the day. Then it turned into always have the rotors turned, then it became just replace them. It's not the end of the world and the brakes will still function perfectly fine as long as the rotors are still thick enough.
Shiny-Kektus@reddit
I can't comprehend how no one here understands that. Its like saying you can change your engine oil without replacing the filter. Yes you can, but thats not how it should be done at all.
No_Geologist_3690@reddit
The problem with these subs is that people have no idea how to do things properly and everything needs to be done cheap as humanly possible. I didn’t even say the rotors have to be replaced. Resurface at minimum.
ProfessionalGoat6199@reddit
Its called self clearancing unless there way worn they be fine
No_Geologist_3690@reddit
That’s not how that works.
bad_bitch_energy@reddit
Bro what it's absolutely acceptable to only replace pads if there's nothing wrong with the rotors, there's a process called being the brakes that you do after your install new pads
NHRADeuce@reddit
Be the brakes... na na na na na na na na.
Gixxer_King@reddit
Being the brakes? Is that some weirdo metaphysical hippie philosophy or something?
bad_bitch_energy@reddit
Sorry typo obviously, bedding the brakes
Gixxer_King@reddit
Being the brakes sounds way more fun lol
bad_bitch_energy@reddit
Sounds kinda hot but not in a good way
Substantial_Team6751@reddit
Like I said, shops don't want to do it for a reason but just replacing pads is 100% valid.
No_Geologist_3690@reddit
It’s 100% half assing a repair. Rotors are cheap. Get off your wallet and do it properly.
sharkdingo@reddit
More change than brains right here.
They really dont need to be changed often. Oit of the dozens of brake jobs ive done, only 2 of them needed rotors, and it wasnt because wear on the rotor on either of them. One was because the parking brake got stuck engaged and locked the rotor which had to be hammered off. The other was because i drove way too aggressively as a kid and left brake pad material on the rotor itself.
If properly maintained rotors will last for many many pad replacements. Do they wear? Yes. Is it enough that most people should have to replace or resurface them in the normal 5 year ownership period? Absolutely not.
tk8398@reddit
It's better to replace or surface the rotors, but yeah no harm if everything else is in good shape.
Equivalent_Thievery@reddit
I usually run a set of new pads on old rotors and watch the rotors.
I've never had warped rotors, so I've never needed to outright replace them until they were getting thin.
lpg975@reddit
NectarineDesigner408@reddit
Short answer, Depends. Easiest answer, Yes. Best bet, yes. Don't care about ride quality or long-term brake life, no.
LettuceTomatoOnion@reddit
Brake light? Am I the only one confused by that statement?
Sarkonix@reddit
For as cheap as they are why not replace while your in there.
thenew3@reddit
Change the brake fluid if you haven't done it in 3-4 years.
DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit
Rotors always with pads is an upsell for people who don't know any better, I'm convinced. I've got a pair of calipers in the barn, I've checked a few times on the JK Wrangler in the 8 years I had it. Every time at 2x pad life, the rotors were just getting to the limit of manufacturer spec.
Guarantee no shop is pulling out the Mitutoyos lol
Equivalent_Boss6613@reddit
Not always but as cheap as rotors are why not
keirken@reddit
While there is a limit to their life span, they're certainly recommended to be replaced way more often than they need to be
Cynyr36@reddit
My $0.02, as a driveway mechanic, resurfacing is going to cost me more than new so thats out. Most of the time I've let the pads go far enough i have some ridges or dips in the rotors, so it's new rotor time. It's 2 extra bolts in order to swap the rotors adds maybe 15 minutes to the whole job. So i usually just buy the whole set.
Transmorgrafier_2024@reddit
Yes
Gixxer_King@reddit
Here's the deal, a shop will want to replace or at the very least resurface the rotors so that the brand new flat pads have a nice fresh flat surface to mate to. This is to insure the best possible outcome for the repair. It also saves them the hassle of customers only wanting to do half the repair and coming back and complaining that their brakes aren't right even though it is their fault for not authorizing a complete repair. It's a cover your ass situation for the shops.
transmission612@reddit
Do the pads and rotors its not that much more like an extra $150.
LimeDry7124@reddit
Yes. The rotors are paper thin to begin with, prone to getting warped. Rotors have been a throw away part since the 90s especially on the domestic brands.
curi0us_carniv0re@reddit
No they aren't. Lol wtf are you talking about?
LimeDry7124@reddit
Brake rotors. On cars. I don't know about trucks.
curi0us_carniv0re@reddit
Yeah I get that part. But what you're saying isn't true.
LimeDry7124@reddit
I tried have rotors turned once on a GM fwd car. It had a warp, so I just bought new ones. Less expensive back then. I haven't checked now.
curi0us_carniv0re@reddit
Ok but that doesn't mean they're "paper thin" like you said.
Most shops do push to replace rotors because it is generally cheaper for the customer and / or they don't have the equipment (lathe, etc) to do the job. It's also less of a liability. IE: customer develops brake noise or manages to warp their rotors and comes back blaming the shop.
thePhoenixEatery@reddit
Wow a 2005 neon...still kicking eh?
Loveschocolate1978@reddit
I don't. I just look at what my shop manual says. It gives the specs for the maximum and minimum thickness of the rotors and I go by that measurement. Shops typically just replace it because of many reasons. The cost of labor is so high compared to the parts, it is way cheaper to just do it while they are in there. Also, it is way cheaper than a lawsuit to just replace all the parts then people can't try to come after them for doing supposedly bad work if the driver gets in a crash. Also, new rotors will provide the best braking performance. New vs used for me is about 100% vs ~80-90% braking performance. Also, as a final note, many people don't check their brakes checked regularly, so if the mechanic doesn't replace the pads and rotors when the car is in the shop when the car still has, let's say for example, 7,000 miles left of use, and the person only comes in every 10,000 miles for an oil change, they would be driving around with clapped out brakes for 3,000 miles which will cause a bunch of damage to their car and then they will blame the mechanic for not warning them about changing the brakes out sooner. If mechanics try to help their customers out by saving them money, they can get sued or yelled at for not doing a complete job. If mechanics do all the work to 100% they still get hatred and yelled at for charging too much. It's a lose-lose scenario, but typically it's cheaper to replace everything than get sued so mechanics often suggest full replacements. This is one of the many reasons why DIY auto repair saves so much money.
Mondaycomestoosoon@reddit
No
curi0us_carniv0re@reddit
Is it always needed? No.
Is it possible your pads became too worn and damaged the rotor? Yes.
Are rotors for a Dodge neon probably really cheap? Also yes.
Junebug35@reddit
If your brake light is on in your dash, and the pedal is going down farther than before, has your brake system been checked for leaks? Is your fluid low? Leaking brake fluid will cause your brakes to be slower to react.
Also, you mentioned not hearing anything when you press on the brakes. Please check your brake fluid level before spending money on a pad slap (replacing pads without replacing rotors).
IndicationCurrent869@reddit
New rotors are better than resurfacing though cost about more. Just replacing pads is iffy. Rotors could be worn or warped, maybe squeal a lot.
stchman@reddit
No, as long as the rotors have enough thickness, not too rusty, and show no signs of having deep grooves, they are good to go.
And if you do have to replace the rotors, go with OEM, not cheap Chinese Autozone rotors.
Addison_Clark_1964@reddit
You can't replace rotors with brake pads. You must replace rotors with rotors.
maybach320@reddit
No, it’s often referred to as a pad slap.
Chainsawsas70@reddit
It All depends on how much wear is on the Rotors,if it has a large lip at the top (outside edge) of the rotors it's best to replace them If you can't get it turned... Most shops WON'T turn the rotors because they are often out of spec once they clean it up and just replacing them is faster and more time efficient.
reidft@reddit
Unless they're warped and shake on braking or are damaged, there's no need. Rotors don't need to be replaced that often at all.
Ejmct@reddit
Whenever I question new rotors they always claim that rotors are a lot softer these days than they used to me. Not sure if the is BS or not but a brake job is relatively inexpensive but replacing rotors is not.
IOI-65536@reddit
I have no idea why rotors would be softer. Nearly all of them have been cast iron forever. They're cheaper and thinner. I don't bother to have them turned on newer cars because only a couple places still turn them and they've gotten so cheap it's way slower but only a little cheaper to turn than replace. I have just swapped pads if the rotors look fine, though.
MeyersonAdam@reddit
Years ago when I worked at a Chevy Dealership (1996?) I remember a training video where the guy took a dime and put it in the groves on a rotor and said if Eisenhower’s head wasn’t in the grove, there was no need to resurface or replace the rotor. Wild! Resurfacing used to be common. At the end of me working on cars (2015) most places just put new rotors on because they were cheap enough and you wouldn’t have come backs for pulsation. Pulsation seems much more common on newer cars. If the rotors are above minimum thickness, there’s really no safety reasons to change them, but you are probably more likely to get some pulsation at least eventually.
Blu_yello_husky@reddit
No
Sol_7640@reddit
It depends on how much material is left on the rotor. All rotors have a discard limit. If it is below that limit or it is close enough that resurfacing the rotor will put it below the limit, it needs to be replaced. Ask them to measure the rotor thickness and tell you the number. Look up the discard limit for your vehicle. A standard resurface will take of about 60 thousandths of an inch. If there are grooves or hot spots usually more needs to be taken off. You don’t want a rotor that is right above the discard limit either because it will continue to wear and will go below the limit potentially causing issues with your calipers.