Do I Need To Replace Rotors With Pads – “Safe Driver” means different things to different people, but regardless of their age or experience, every driver can agree that a car’s braking system is at the heart of that safety. Assuming each part of the system is working properly is what gives us the same confidence to gradually squeeze the brake pedal at the end of a slow roll into an intersection, or step on it to avoid a collision. Like the brake pads, the brake rotor is a critical component of the system; the heaviest and largest single piece on each axle, it is also subject to replacement as it wears.
Every driver should know the indicators that their brakes are nearing the end of their duty cycle, and while it’s fairly easy to determine when brake pads are starting to wear, knowing the warning signs of worn rotors can be a little tricky.
Do I Need To Replace Rotors With Pads
Knowing what the indicators are that a rotor is worn or damaged is influenced by various conditions and causes, and how those elements combine over the life of the vehicle.
Do I Need To Replace These Pads And Rotors?
In its simplest form, the brake rotor is squeezed by the brake pad to slow and stop the vehicle, but it’s not really that basic. Let’s see how the full system works together, step by step.
In modern cars, brake fluid pressure is modulated by ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System), ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation), and ESP (Electronic Stability Program).
Brake rotors are one of the most visible parts of a complete brake system. It is a metal disc shaped like a flying saucer that is attached to the wheel hub, visible behind the hub cap. Usually, they are formed by pouring a solid “blank” in a mold from a special metal alloy that must withstand wear and high temperatures; in most cases, these are cast iron and cast steel. In addition to the holes for the bolts holding them to the axle, they are also molded with internal cooling fins, and, depending on the vehicle and their intended end use, they can then be custom machined to add slots and/or punch holes.
When the brake pads are compressed against the rotor, the resulting friction creates heat and gases that can become trapped in the system. Solid rotors are the cheapest option, but have a tendency to overheat. High-quality rotors, by comparison, are vented in various ways to reduce that heat. Drilling holes and machining slots into the surface that interacts with the brake pads not only allows heat to be absorbed more quickly, it also keeps gas and debris from getting trapped, extending rotor wear life and keeping the brake system stronger for longer. Slotted rotors only are fitted with internal ventilation ducts that direct heat and towards the rear of the vehicle.
Brake Rotors: Resurface Or Replace?
In premium class and racing cars, custom brake rotors made of ceramic or carbon materials are used; this is very expensive, but rarely overheats.
Brake rotors tend to wear out longer than brake pads, usually at a two-to-one rate, but should be checked at every maintenance and service your car receives. The surest way to determine if they are at the end of their life is to measure their physical thickness to determine if they are too thin. The minimum thickness is defined in the vehicle’s service book, and some brake rotor manufacturers even engrave it on the surface of the rotor.
Regardless of the cause of the wear, if even one rotor is worn, it’s best to replace the entire assembly at once, including the front and rear brake rotors AND the front and rear brake pads.
Brake rotors are very influential on driving safety, which is why they need to be replaced with new ones as soon as they are found to be damaged. Brake rotors must be selected according to the car manufacturer’s instructions, and it is best to choose a branded product, ideal cross-drilled and ventilated style, manufactured from good materials and according to high quality standards. Researching known issues with your car make and model may also offer insight into better solutions from the OEM, as some aftermarket manufacturers have identified rotor weight and engineering weaknesses and addressed them in their product offerings.
On Your Vehicle’s Brake Rotors
You know better than anyone what safe braking feels like in your own vehicle. Some of the damage that a rotor can suffer will cause an immediate change in braking ability, and that change requires immediate and immediate attention. As the wear and tear of brake rotors can be gradual over time, however, it is equally important to inspect them at each service and note their thickness, degree of corrosion and surface condition. Also, if you’ve made any upgrades to your car or truck that affect the wheels or overall weight of the vehicle, the way the vehicle is used, or add extra towing or increased payload, it’s time to change brake system components to match.
Replacing your brake pads and rotors with new, high-performance products is the best way to ensure your safety when you’re out on the road! We may earn revenue from products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
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Brake rotors are one of the most important parts of a modern vehicle. Without them, you hit a tree, the mail carrier or Spot the dog Timmy. Too often we overlook brake rotor wear, only to the detriment of other people’s safety, our safety and our bank account. Not today, Satan.
What Is The Cost Of Brake Replacement?
Many people will happily forget about maintaining their brake rotors, or as the author recently discovered on his used Volvo XC90, they will resort to temporary “fixes” that do little to fix the rotors *shakes fist*.
Don’t be one of them. The rotor, has a lifespan and can become misguided in its daily use, so you need to fix it at some point.
Brake rotors are steel or carbon ceramic discs that are attached to your car’s axle. This rotor rotates along with the wheels as the car moves.
A brake pad is a small piece of friction material that fits into the brake caliper and, when brake pressure is applied, clamps onto the brake rotor.
Should You Resurface Or Replace Your Worn Brake Rotors?
How brake rotors work is pretty simple, let’s break it down. As you know by now, the brake rotor rotates along with the wheels of the car as it moves. When brake pressure is applied to the brake pedal, the pressure mechanically or electronically forces the brake pads to clamp down on the brake rotor. This friction then reduces the speed of the vehicle.
Conventional steel brake rotors are designed to last up to 70,000 miles, but depending on how you treat them, they can last for fewer or more miles. Rotors made of carbon ceramic are designed to last the life of the car, although the driver can also affect the durability of the design.
You should now be aware that not all rotors are the same. What is installed in your mother’s Honda Odyssey is not the same as what is installed in a Porsche Cayman GT4 or Ferrari F8 Tributo.
Most brake rotors are steel in construction, however, their shape may vary slightly depending on the application. Daily drivers often look to all-steel construction to save on price, while sports cars and race cars can cross-drill, vent, and slot the rotor structure to increase cooling efficiency and reduce unsprung weight. This means the manufacturer cuts holes, slots or other designs into the rotor.
What Happens With Bad Rotors
Carbon ceramic brake rotors were introduced after supercar manufacturers brought their respective racing technologies into street applications. This is partly due to the appeal of having race car technology, but mostly because increasingly fast supercars require the cooling efficiency and longevity of durable carbon-ceramic rotors.
Rotor wear can be caused by a number of variables, primarily usage. How you treat your brake system will have a big impact on the life of your rotors. Hard stops, putting your left foot on the brake pedal, extreme stops when the brake rotors are still cold, along with environmental factors such as road salt, can all affect the health of your brake rotors.
Just like you take care of the rest of your car, you should also take care of your brake rotors.
, we’ve replaced brake rotors on almost every type of vehicle, not including your fancy super schmancy car. We’re not er, rich enough to try our hand there. However, the basics of brake rotor replacement are the same whether you’re converting from a Ford Focus to a Bugatti Chiron.
Going To Change Front Rotors. Do I Replace Brake Pads, Rear Rotors, Or Anything Else While I’m Down There? Any Recommendations With Parts?
Explanation of Why Your Car Shakes When Braking for our guide on how to replace your brake rotors.
While The Drive’s how-to guide is detailed and easy to follow, no vehicle is created equal, and not all car maintenance or repair tasks are easy to do yourself. That’s why we’ve teamed up with YourMechanic and their network of mobile automotive technicians to offer our readers $10 off service calls of $70 or more when you use a promo code .
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