brake question

[TheSparo]

i just read that if you replace your brakes, as in just getting your STOCK rotors resurfaced/turned and use metallic or carbon pads, it wil make them wear much more, is this true? b/c i am needing to do this (1st timer)
thanks
-Jeff

[Bill Roberts]

Nothing to worry about Jeff. I opted to buy new rotors from autozone for 50 per pair. That is all it cost and then I got the oem pads. No different from the stock feel and braking and the wear is on par with totally stock. Under hard conditions, these are inadaquate. If you can afford to take the plunge to 5 lug, go for the Q45 Rotors and calipers. your total investment is around 260 give or take.

One thing I do not recommend anymore. turning the rotors. You need as much meat as possible up there and last time I had rotors turned down, they butchered them to death. Since then, If I could not afford new rotors, I would check the surface for smoothness and just install new pads. I actually never had a problem doing it this way as the pad will wear down to fit the old rotor shape.

You will need a large "c" clamp to compress the pistons and do this with your master cylinder cap..off. Some spillage may occur so I just take a clean rag, and dip it into the MS and extract some of the fluid with a coffee can nearby to catch the rag..messy yea, you could also open the bleeder and run the fluid down to half tank and then compress the calipers..anyway you do it, they must be compressed to make the brakes fit. Another way is to put one side on and use a crow bar in the top slot to press them back against the rotor.

I bought new rotors (actually I buy them quite alot) because if I am running a course where 100MPH and above speeds are maintained and then hairpins at 45MPH, well, the rotors will warp. I actually ruined a set of rotors on the street braking down a few times in a row..on the turnpike.

1. Best deal is the retrofit to Q45. 250-300 bucks (front)
2. Next best, new stock rotors and pads (easy 45 min job both sides)75 dollars
3. New pads only. 25 bucks or less
4. Turning the rotors if the technician does not take too much off and new pads.
50 bucks

[TheSparo]

Bill your the man, your always there haha, but im kinda just looking for a cheaper solution then buying new rotors... thats why i am prolly just getting the rotors turned, main reason is i am saving as much as possible for the front lcip im abuot to buy :D i hope i didnt come off like an *** but, i was just gonna do the stock rotors w/ KVR pads, and i saw that they have extra wear w/ stock rotors? but ehh
thanks again Bill :bow:
but once i have the clip i will get new rotors and all the other good stuff ;)

[Bill Roberts]

How bad are your rotors?? If they are not grooved up to bad, or crystallized or blued, I would sKip the rotor turning. More money saved. I never had a problem putting new pads on an unturned rotor if it was fairly smooth.

After putting over 400K on a Mazda truck..I know about everything their is to know about disc brakes...I have tried it all. One time I went to a junk yard and got me some free pads until payday. Worked fine.

Another thing to.. You can almost always get a good battery from a junk yard for free or 5 bucks...I know I am sounding like a cheapskate..but really, when you are saving for something..all that does matter.

And to you... :bow:

[TheSparo]

i havent looked at them by themselves yet (i have teardrop wheels so i can barely see behind the wheel) but today i heard the dreaded brake "scratch" you know when its an interementent "brushing"? i hope you know what i mean, it sounds like a rotor is maybe a little warped... so im just gonna try the free inspection and see what they say, and take a look myself, but if i do need new pads i willl do it myself hopefully :D
thanx again
:bow: :bow: :p

[Bill Roberts]

Their is a wear indicator that scrapes the rotors and warns of 3/4th of the brakes life is gone. You can bend it back some and not worry..

Jack it up, put some jackstands under your car and do it yourself. Last time I had anyone put a wheel back on my car, I had to break 3 lug studs getting it back off because they used 5 million foot pounds of air wrench when 60 foot pounds would be enough.

Hand tighten is fine with a lug wrench. I HATE air wrenches improperly used. It took a touque wrench and a long pipe to get them off, they broke off.

Do it yourself and learn. It is easy.

:bow: :bow: :bow: