Do New Brake Pads Require a New Rotor

I new new pads for a front brake. Is it necessary, or at least a real good
idea, to replace the rotor too? The car has 80K miles on it. I'd like to
save some $$s but having a safe car is a higher priority.

Thanks, Bob

On Wed, 6 May 2009 10:22:18 -0400, against all advice, something
compelled "eBob.com" >, to say:

> I new new pads for a front brake. Is it necessary, or at least a real good
> idea, to replace the rotor too? The car has 80K miles on it. I'd like to
> save some $$s but having a safe car is a higher priority.

You should have them evaluated for thickness and runout. If they
are within spec, or can be turned true, then go ahead and use
them. If not, they need to be replaced.




--

Real men don't text.

"eBob.com" > wrote in message
...
>I new new pads for a front brake. Is it necessary, or at least a real good
>idea, to replace the rotor too? The car has 80K miles on it. I'd like to
>save some $$s but having a safe car is a higher priority.
>
> Thanks, Bob
>
>

rotors are normally replaced when they reach a minimum thickness as
specified by the manufacturer. If they are worn with uneven surfaces, they
can be skimmed flat and parallel again but the costs to do this sometimes
outways replacing them with new ones. My A4 has covered 95k miles and its
still on the originals.

"eBob.com" > wrote in message
...
|I new new pads for a front brake. Is it necessary, or at least a real good
| idea, to replace the rotor too? The car has 80K miles on it. I'd like to
| save some $$s but having a safe car is a higher priority.
|
| Thanks, Bob
|
My experience with Audis has been that there is rarely enough meat on the
rotor to machine it when the pads are worn out. You use the singular "brake"
but you should definitely replace both sides not just one. Front brakes
including rotors are a fairly easy DIY project. (Rears require a special
tool to get the pistons pushed back into the cylinders - some places like
Autozone will lend the tool for free.)

Front pads and rotors are available at a reasonable price online at places
like http://www.autohausaz.com/. If it's not DIY, an independent Audi
mechanic will charge about $500 for front pads and rotors - at least that's
what I was quoted. I did it myself in about 90 minutes including freeing a
stuck-on rotor. Rotors and Mintex pads cost about $160 total.

Thanks iws, and to the several other guys who have responded.

Why do you say that I "should definitely replace both sides". It is a
safety issue? Or just that the other side will probably have to be done
soon? Or something else?

Thanks, Bob


"iws" > wrote in message
...
> "eBob.com" > wrote in message
> ...
> |I new new pads for a front brake. Is it necessary, or at least a real
> good
> | idea, to replace the rotor too? The car has 80K miles on it. I'd like
> to
> | save some $$s but having a safe car is a higher priority.
> |
> | Thanks, Bob
> |
> My experience with Audis has been that there is rarely enough meat on the
> rotor to machine it when the pads are worn out. You use the singular
> "brake"
> but you should definitely replace both sides not just one. Front brakes
> including rotors are a fairly easy DIY project. (Rears require a special
> tool to get the pistons pushed back into the cylinders - some places like
> Autozone will lend the tool for free.)
>
> Front pads and rotors are available at a reasonable price online at places
> like http://www.autohausaz.com/. If it's not DIY, an independent Audi
> mechanic will charge about $500 for front pads and rotors - at least
> that's
> what I was quoted. I did it myself in about 90 minutes including freeing a
> stuck-on rotor. Rotors and Mintex pads cost about $160 total.
>
>

"eBob.com" > wrote in message
...
| Thanks iws, and to the several other guys who have responded.
|
| Why do you say that I "should definitely replace both sides". It is a
| safety issue? Or just that the other side will probably have to be done
| soon? Or something else?
|
| Thanks, Bob
|

Both. A new set of brand X pads on one side coupled with a used set of Brand
Y pads on the other is almost certainly going to yield uneven - and unsafe -
braking. Plus, almost certainly the other side will have to be done soon
too. If there was a significant difference in wear between both sides, you
probably would have noticed a "pulling" to one side or another - a condition
that would have to be investigated and fixed. Also, in my experience, brake
pads always come as a complete set for right and left.

Front vs rear is a different story - fronts do more of the braking typically
and are sized and designed differently. So it's unlikely that you'd need to
do both front and rear brakes at the same time.

"eBob.com" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks iws, and to the several other guys who have responded.
>
> Why do you say that I "should definitely replace both sides". It is a
> safety issue? Or just that the other side will probably have to be done
> soon? Or something else?
>
> Thanks, Bob
>

It takes a few hours to change the brakes max and that's working slowly,
just do it yourself.

The tool for the rear cost me about £12 the only problem you might have is
undoing the bolts that hold the disc in place, well it doesn't hold the disc
but holds the caliper but needs to be removed to get the disc out.

Set yourself a nice afternoon off

Make sure you do all 4 it's worth it in the long run.
Cannot believe people are still mentioning turning down discs, it costs
approx £120-£140 for 4 x discs and 4 x pads.

Servicing is the same, costs about £60 inc pollen filter and spark plugs.

"Ronny" > wrote in message
...
>
> "eBob.com" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Thanks iws, and to the several other guys who have responded.
>>
>> Why do you say that I "should definitely replace both sides". It is a
>> safety issue? Or just that the other side will probably have to be done
>> soon? Or something else?
>>
>> Thanks, Bob
>>
>
> It takes a few hours to change the brakes max and that's working slowly,
> just do it yourself.
>
> The tool for the rear cost me about £12 the only problem you might have is
> undoing the bolts that hold the disc in place, well it doesn't hold the
> disc but holds the caliper but needs to be removed to get the disc out.
>
> Set yourself a nice afternoon off
>
> Make sure you do all 4 it's worth it in the long run.
> Cannot believe people are still mentioning turning down discs, it costs
> approx £120-£140 for 4 x discs and 4 x pads.
>
> Servicing is the same, costs about £60 inc pollen filter and spark plugs.
>

its probably only tried by those with access to machines (me at one time).
An engineer will always try to use the tools if he has them. Anyway I can
confirm its a pain in the rump. Cast iron discs that have seen many years of
use, surface harden so you have to get under that skin, maybe 2mm or 3mm
before you can get a good cut going. This has to be done both sides so then
you are most probably going under the min thickness for the disc. Or if you
have the machine/adaptor, grinding is another option and only removes a
small amount of material.

new pads dont always need new rotors . u need to look at them or have a
tech look at them and see how bad they are worn.


--
k1e1v1i1n
------------------------------------------------------------------------
k1e1v1i1n's Profile: http://www.audiforum.ca/member.php?userid=1875
View this thread: http://www.audiforum.ca/showthread.php?t=45605

I recall reading something about the rotors have to last a certain
percentage longer than the pads in TUV (?) tests. Something like 25%.
Couldn't find it at the moment.

If that's the case it's best to check the amount of rotor wear during
this set of pads. And you need to make sure that within the next set
of pads the rotors will remain above the minimum allowed thickness.

But friends tend to be able to change rotors every other set of pads.

Does anyone know if these are ATE or Brembo setup?



On May 6, 7:22*am, "eBob.com" > wrote:
> I new new pads for a front brake. *Is it necessary, or at least a real good
> idea, to replace the rotor too? *The car has 80K miles on it. *I'd like to
> save some $$s but having a safe car is a higher priority.
>
> Thanks, *Bob