Passat Rotors

We take my wife's Passat to the local VW dealership for service, and
they claim that whenever they replace the brake pads they have to
replace the rotors too (NB: there is no wa-wa-wa to imply any warping
or other problems), and also that in any case the rotors can't be
turned and always have to be replaced. Both claims sound bogus to me,
but I thought I'd get the opinion of the group since I have zero
experience with VWs (maybe there's some funky German engineering going
on?).

rotor maybe worn under size, pitted, flaking, or worn uneven due to normal
pad wear. How many miles on your present rotors. Also you haven't said if
it's the front or rear rotors or what year the car is?

> wrote in message
ps.com...
> We take my wife's Passat to the local VW dealership for service, and
> they claim that whenever they replace the brake pads they have to
> replace the rotors too (NB: there is no wa-wa-wa to imply any warping
> or other problems), and also that in any case the rotors can't be
> turned and always have to be replaced. Both claims sound bogus to me,
> but I thought I'd get the opinion of the group since I have zero
> experience with VWs (maybe there's some funky German engineering going
> on?).
>

Just have your old parts returned to you so you can measure the thickness of
the rotors. ;-)
I would not want to worry about brakes again for another 30-40,000 miles or
longer.

"Madesio" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 01 Jul 2007 04:04:32 -0000, wrote:
>
>>We take my wife's Passat to the local VW dealership for service, and
>>they claim that whenever they replace the brake pads they have to
>>replace the rotors too (NB: there is no wa-wa-wa to imply any warping
>>or other problems), and also that in any case the rotors can't be
>>turned and always have to be replaced. Both claims sound bogus to me,
>>but I thought I'd get the opinion of the group since I have zero
>>experience with VWs (maybe there's some funky German engineering going
>>on?).
>
> Volkswagen usually uses solid granulated lining bonded to a metal
> backing plate for their brake pads. The friction materials are made of
> ceramic compounds and copper or bronze fibers instead of the typical
> steel fibers. This kind of composition is convenient as it can manage
> higher temperatures with less heat fade, allowing the pads to recover
> quickly after a stop, not to mention it lowers the amounts of dust
> and wear. These metallic pads will last longer, but they are more
> abrasive to the brake rotors, which is why the rotors usually have to
> be replaced during a brake service. Some brake pads are made with
> non-metallic, organic resins and fillers which wear quicker, but are
> less abrasive to the rotors.

"Lost In Space/Woodchuck" > wrote in message
...
> rotor maybe worn under size, pitted, flaking, or worn uneven due to normal
> pad wear. How many miles on your present rotors. Also you haven't said if
> it's the front or rear rotors or what year the car is?
>
> > wrote in message
> ps.com...
>> We take my wife's Passat to the local VW dealership for service, and
>> they claim that whenever they replace the brake pads they have to
>> replace the rotors too (NB: there is no wa-wa-wa to imply any warping
>> or other problems), and also that in any case the rotors can't be
>> turned and always have to be replaced. Both claims sound bogus to me,
>> but I thought I'd get the opinion of the group since I have zero
>> experience with VWs (maybe there's some funky German engineering going
>> on?).
>>
>
>>>They don't sound out of line. Because they probably don't want you to
>>>return complaining about a pulsating pedal from a improperly turned
>>>rotor. Or one that overheats. The rears have problems with brake dust .
>>>And corrosion, pitting caused by normal atmospheric air and humidity
>>>pitting the rotors. If you don't want any problems. New is the way to go.
>>>If you want to save some bucks, Go elsewhere or DIY and get them turned.