when getting brakes done how do you no if you need the rotors cut as well?

Question

I need new brake pads on my 2000 dodge avenger, i wasnt aware it was time to get done, there was no warning. they have begun grinding. the problem is, right nowi only have enough money to get the pads on. if rotors are needed is it possible to get pads put on now nad the rotors next friday when i get paid? will that week be ok? i dont drive anywhere but to work and back 4x a week 5mi each way

Answer 1

I would say that if the brakes were grinding you should have the rotors turned, the rotors and pads should be done at the same time.

Answer 2

Your car's manual or a repair manual will tell you how thick the rotors should be, but normally, they're ok. You may be able to get them "cut" which is essentially taking off a bit of the contact-surface metal, and creating a brand new braking surface on the rotor. This is why you need to measure rotors first though in case they were cut before...they have to be a certain thickness to work properly. Cutting is usually only about $5-10 a rotor.

The mechanic may not put the new pads on scored rotors though, so you may want to check.

If you're doing this yourself, then make sure that the rotors aren't "pitted" like someone else said. In other words, you'll see where the pads touch the rotor's surface, but there shouldn't be any grooves in the rotor. If that's the case, then find some calipers (thickness-mearsuring tool) and look up what thickness they're required to be. If there's room, take them to Pep Boys or a machine shop to have them cut.

If they're not grooved, then just go and grab some Emory Cloth (sand paper for metal) and in a circular pattern, scrub the old rotors (again, only if they're not pitted from the worn out pads) and they should be fine.

As for leaving it for a week? A week is a long time in the life of brakes IMO, especially new ones. You'll have broken them in on old rotors with a funky pattern that won't match new or cut rotors. I don't think it's life threatening, but in all honesty, I'd do it all in one shot if I could. Remember too...sometimes there's a core deposit on certain things, and rotors might be one...you may be able to save some money that way.

Besides...once you leave it for a week, it makes it tougher to get back around too, especially if it rains the next weekend, then it'll just get worse.

Answer 3

You know you need to replace the rotors if the rotors aren't smooth. Dont touch them right after the car has been turned off, they will be hot. Most of the time they can be machined down for about 15 a peice, and you won't need to buy new ones. You can just replace the pads, and not the rotors if the rotors are bad, but it will drastically reduce the amount of time you will get out of the pads. Also it will cause jumping in the brakes when you depress them. If you are easy for a week, you should be fine.

Answer 4

if you went down to metal and have no pad left the rotors are probably shot.I work in a part store and see it every day.you might get lucky and be able to get them turned but dont count on it. Car companies give you jus enough metal on the rotors to get you to the first brake job. In most cases turning rotors are a thing of the past. you should turn the rotors or replace them every brake job so the pads can seat right.As for putting new pads against your rotor, yea you can so it for a week or so but my guess is your rotor is rough from the grinding and it will be like sandpaper and will mess up the pads.You might want to get another set of pads on friday because the ones you put on may be worn out by then from the rotor chewing them up. Also if the pads on one side are worn and the other still have pad left you may want to replace the caliper on the worn side. Its either sticking or the piston is lock up. Use caliper grease on the slides and pins but dont put any on the pad surface. If you get new rotors spray them with brake cleaner to get ti grease off that they use for storing them.Keep the brake surface free of grease and oil and u should stop on a dime and get 9 cents back

Answer 5

Rotors will need to be replaced only if :
A. They are down to the discard thickness. The minimum thickness is cast into the rotor on the back.
B. They require resurfacing, and the resurfacing cannot be done without going under the minimum thickness after resurfacing number cast into the rotor.
Rotors only require resurfacing if you have thickness variation that causes pulsation, excessive corrosion, or grooving that exceeds .060"

P.S. If you brakes are grinding, you are damaging the rotors at every stop.

Answer 6

if the pads have just started grinding there is a chance you won't need rotors at all... but the longer you let the grinding the go the worse the rotors are going to be.

Answer 7

if you do have a metal to metal grinding problem then you must~~for safty's sake~~get the rotors turned
it could be that the pads are soooo hard that they are making the grinding sound
if there is no damage to the rotors then you CAN get by just putting on pads.

Answer 8

It would not be a major problem to do that, but most mechanic shops will not do it that way due to safety and liablity concerns. The rotors will have deep groves (or scratches) in them, which is the easiest way to tell they need replacing. In the future, just have your breaks checked every time you do a balance and rotation on your tires. You should do this at least twice a year. Good luck.

Answer 9

no you better get it all done the same time as it will cost you more to do it your way and will ruin the new brake shoes, sounds like you are ruining the rotors right now if you hear grinding.

Answer 10

Do not ever put new pad's on scored rotors. You probably need new rotors and the caliper sliders serviced.