Brakes & Rotors

[jmike.miller]

Went to the dealer and he said the front brakes are almost ready to be replaced and they they don't just replace the brakes, but the rotors as well. Is this necessary? Couldn't you just change the pads if the rotors aren't in too bad of shape? Thinking about doing it myself. Is there anything else besides the pads and rotors to buy? Like wear sensors or something?

[TopGun2000]

Went to the dealer and he said the front brakes are almost ready to be replaced and they they don't just replace the brakes, but the rotors as well. Is this necessary? Couldn't you just change the pads if the rotors aren't in too bad of shape? Thinking about doing it myself. Is there anything else besides the pads and rotors to buy? Like wear sensors or something?

front rotors get worn out pretty quick. you can measure the thickness of them to make sure if they are still safe to use

also need sensors + hardware kits

[eVoMotion]

I have seen my rotors and they definitely need replacing. Why sensors as well though? How do they wear out?

[DDiggler69]

The rotors only allow 2mm between new and bad. You have to buy a rotor measurement tool to see if they are still within spec. What I found was that one set of pads shaves off about 1.5mm of the rotor so you don't have enough rotor left for another set of pads. You have to replace the pads, rotors, and sensors when you do a brake job (you can't remove the sensor clips from the pads without them breaking). Dealers also replace the pad springs and bolt but I don't find this necessary. I posted links to where you can buy all this stuff online and save yourself several hundred dollars (search me). If you are replacing the rears, you will also need to buy a special tool to replace the rotors.

[eVoMotion]

AH... the sensors are part of the pads. thanks!

[TopGun2000]

sensors are good if they are not shot, causing the warning light to show up

here is a link for cheap OEM rotor/pads sets

pads + rotors

[DDiggler69]

The sensors are not part of the pads, they are seperate. They "clip into the pads". Basically the plastic is very brittle and once you snap them into the pad, I've never gotten one out without breaking it. Once you break it, and you don't have a spare, you have to put in a broken one into the new pads to complete the brake job. this makes me concerned that it will fall out and I'll never know. Buy the sensors, if you get one out witout breaking it, go return it. I don't think you will get it out without breaking it though.