Brake Pad/Rotor replacement intervals

[muddpuppy]

I was talking with a guy in the office, a self proclaimed auto know it all….lol great guy anyways. I was telling him I was replacing the wheel bearings , Brake rotors and pads. He asked why I have to do a brake job every year. I drive a good 50-60k every year. I told him they are due and I would rather have new rotors then have them turned. He seems to think I should get 80-100k out of pads and never replace rotors just get them turned?

I think he is nuts but what do I know. Wondering your thoughts on this

[jeffreyd]

i think 50k is pretty good, heat, cooling, heat, cooling takes its toll on both the pad and rotor. I do mine at 50 k regardless. It is cheap insurance that your brakes are in good condition. Others will have thoughts on this but my choice i guess. i dont think it is out of line.

[Big Buck Buster]

Most of the time, when the pads have worn down to next to nothing, there isn't enough left of the rotor to resurface. Now, if the rotors are warped, but the pads are still in good condition, you can turn them if there is enough rotor left. There are specs that we have to use when turning rotors(minimum machining, and discard at/under). With the materials of today's pads, by the time the pads are worn down to nothing, rotors have to be replaced at the same time.

[Dozer]

Ive had 105,000 on all the pads and rotors on my 01 1/2ton Silverado a couple weeks ago when one of the pads on the back delaminated from the steel backer and fell off. All but the one that the pad fell off had 50% left! There is something to be said for buying good quality pads! If you are replacing them every year/50,000 I think there is something wrong with that. If they really need to be replaced that often most places sell lifetime warranty ones.

[mjhowe]

Are you towing a lot? Stop and go driving? Way too many variables for vehicle use and driving style to even remotely suggest you should get this or that for mileage, IMO. Nowadays, it is almost cheaper/easier to replace rotors rather than turn. So many of todays vehicles do not have enough material to be able to turn them and get the correct runout. Old vehicles had plenty of material, but everything is lighter these days in the interest of fuel economy. Also, as you get into the material, heat and cool takes a toll on the materials effectiveness, so if you tow lot (I do) and deal with bad roads, snow, ice, etc, (I do) dont take chances. Replaceing pads and rotors every 50-60K ensures you have the optimum braking performance at all times. Also, if you dont have vibration, pulsing of the pedal etc, you probably dont need to turn/replace the rotors, but while you're in there...why not?

[Gus]

Way to many variables. All vehicles eat brakes at a different appetite. Pads also wear at different rates. Example, OEM pads on my old silverado went 95K before needing to be replaced. OEM pads on my wifes minivan barely made 30K. I'm at 30K now on the minivan with some premium pads from Napa, and they look like thay have about 25% left. That is without even turning or replacing the OEM rotors. My point is, there are just a ton of variables from vehicles, to quality of parts, to driving style, that makeup how long one can expect from a set of pads. Best bet is to ask others what life they have gotten out of the same vehicle, and if you are not satisfied, try switching parts.

[ricqik]

i let the pad n rotor tell me when to replace, not the mileage. rotor turning is a band-aid, replace as needed if $$$ isn't an issue. early n uneven pad wear has many contributors, scoured rotors, bad pistons, corroded pins, driving behavior...