Drilled & Slotted Rotors
Lastly, drilled and slotted rotors are primarily designed for performance vehicles, like sports cars, that need enhanced cooling and heat dispersion. This type of rotor was designed to improve braking at high speeds during racing or track days. Where there is friction there is heat. Over time, the continual force and heat with off road or track driving can sacrifice the integrity of your rotors.
To minimize the negative effects of high performance driving, drilled and slotted rotors have both tiny holes and small trenches etched into the surface, acting as gutters for water and heat.
While great at dissipating heat, these performance rotors also have some setbacks, the largest being durability. Because material has been removed from the surface, the edges can wear away brake pads faster than traditional smooth surfaces. The removed material also decreases the heartiness of the rotor, making them more prone to cracks.
The Brake Pedal Vibrates When Pressed
Does the brake pedal violently shake whenever you step on it? Your brake pads might be causing the problem. Brake pads are typically held together with a kind of binding resin. As each brake pad wears down, this adhesive gets hot and gets smeared across the rotor. Under ideal circumstances, it will form a layer thats evenly spread over the discs surface. But if a brake pad gets overheated, the resin may not be distributed uniformly. Mechanics call this issue glazing and it can cause brake pedals to vibrate.
A pulsating brake pedal isnt a trustworthy one. If this issue goes unchecked, your ability to brake safely could be compromised. When it comes to brake-pad upkeep, stay safe and dont procrastinate.
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Should You Replace All Vehicle Rotors At Once
Because a car or trucks brakes are so important, its good to know how to determine when the parts need to be replaced. Brake rotors or discs wear out over time and many factors determine when they should be replaced.
The front brakes on vehicles are designed to provide about 70% of the total brake capacity. With the engine in the front of most vehicles, the front weighs more and needs extra braking capacity. Because of the weight distribution, the front brake pads and rotors typically wear out before the rear pads.
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When Is It Time To Replace Your Rotors
While many drivers simply replace their rotors and brakes at the same time, there are several ways to tell for certain if your rotors need to be replaced. On vehicles with large enough spaces between the spokes, you may be able to visually inspect the rotors by looking through the wheel. If the rotors appear to have grooves in the surface or a blue discoloration , it’s likely time to replace them.
Other signs that your rotors are bad will reveal themselves while you drive your vehicle. A squealing noise could indicate that your brake pads are worn to the point of needing replacement, while a grinding noise could mean they have worn even further and the metal part of the pads is scraping against your rotors.
Worn rotors can also create vibrations that you can feel while driving. If your rotors are warped or nearing run-out, they may vibrate against the brake pads as you drive. This can result in pulsing vibration in the brake pedal or your steering wheel. You should address this problem immediately, as it will cause both the rotors and pads to wear much more quickly.
A general rule of thumb is that you should replace your brake rotors every 30,000 to 70,000 miles you drive. Your driving habits and the traffic you usually drive in will affect the precise lifespan of your rotors.
Understanding The Braking Process
When you press down on the brake pedal, the pressure is amplified by the aid of a hydraulic fluid, known as brake fluid, to create friction at the wheels making the vehicle stop. Depending on your vehicles set up, when the brake pedal is engaged either a lever system, vacuum, hydraulic or electronic mechanism, pushes the fluid to each wheel. The movement of the pressure drives the brake fluid into the brake lines at each wheel. Many vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking systems include a valve that regulates this pressure created to help prevent the brakes from locking up and forcing the car to spin out. Once the pressure is created the brake calipers, or wheel cylinders, force the brake pads or shoes toward the rotor or drum, increasing pressure and friction that ultimately slow and stop the vehicle.
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How To Find Your Rotor/pad Size And Confirm The Right Fit
More often than not, there are multiple rotor & pad sizes available for a given model. These sizes are not interchangeable, and you must get the right one to fit on your car. Particular rotors size may depend on your trim , vehicles country of origin, sports/performance package, transmission type, engine size, and numerous other options. It can be tricky to confirm the right fit, so we got a few suggestions to help you out.
How to check your rotor size:
- Start by checking the vendors catalog fitment notes. Unfortunately, the parts catalogs are often incomplete and your model/trim may not be listed.
- The bulletproof method is to actually measure the outside diameter of your rotors and then match it with the listed properties of the replacement. A good vendor should have the documentation on their nominal rotor sizes and types, and would commonly provide the values upon request or on their website. Note, that this is a manual check involving some effort, as you need to take off your wheels to measure the rotors edge-to-edge distance through the rotor centre.
- Keep in mind, that vented and solid rotor options are not interchangeable in a majority of cases. For example, if your car has a solid rear rotor, you will not be able to fit a vented rotor without first upgrading your calipers.
How Do Car Brakes Work
Knowing the main components of the braking system, you can begin to understand just how they work. From pressing your foot on the brake to the car slowing down there is a fair amount going on very quickly, so lets review. When you initially step on the brake pedal the first thing engaged is a master cylinder. This is a component is comprised of a reservoir to hold the brake fluid along with pistons to apply pressure and allow for the flow of the fluid. A master cylinder may also be referred to as a vacuum booster. The reason for this name is because of the function it plays on boosting the force generated by your foot. The vacuum booster multiplies the amount of pressure generated by your foot so the brake fluid can move faster to the calipers.
With the brake pedal pushed and the master cylinder engaged, brake fluid is then pushed to each of the brakes on your car via the brake lines. Modern day cars will be equipped with four active brakes, one for each wheel. Having four active brakes not only allows for an additional safety measure if one were to fail, but it also helps to create maximum stopping power. The brake lines running to each wheel are already filled with brake fluid so when the master cylinder is engaged it is pushing that fluid into the calipers. This helps to increase the reaction time and accuracy of the pressure required.
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How Do You Know If Your Brakes Need To Be Replaced
What tells you if your brake pads are worn out?Is your car making a squealing when you apply the brakes? Thats the firstindicator that something needs to be fixed. Rely on your senses to know if yourbrakes need to be adjusted or replaced.
- Sound:You might hear a squealing noise when you apply the brakes. You might hearsomething different than squealing too. You could hear the brakes pumping andworking harder than normal. If the sound is your trigger, you will need to lookat replacing your brake rotors in addition to your pads. Oftentimes, asquealing sound is a trigger that your brake rotor has gone bad.
- Sight: You can lookat the brake pads. Look at them when they are new, so you can see how thickthey are supposed to be. Then, youll have an idea for what they look like whenthey are worn down. As a general rule, if they are under a quarter of an inchthick, they probably need to be replaced.
- Touch/Feel: Doesyour car list to one side more than the other? It could mean that the brakepads on one side are worn down. What does the brake pedal feel like when youpush down with your foot? Are you pushing harder than normal? That could be anindicator as well.
- Smell: Do you smellrubber burning? If you smell something burning, it could mean that at least oneset of your brake pads needs to replaced.
What Are The Signs That I Need New Brake Pads
Wondering how long to change brake pads? The first indication that you need new brake pads is a squealing or grinding noise when you brake. Newer brake pads have a small metal tab that will emerge when the pad endures a certain amount of wear. This small metal piece will contact the rotor and make a squealing noise. It acts as an indicator that youll need to visit your car dealerships or mechanic for brake pad replacement at your earliest opportunity. Clicking sounds could indicate that the brake pad is loose or damaged.
Other signs include:
- Your car pulls to one side when you brake. This indicates uneven wear on your brake pads.
- You need more time to stop than you used to. This is usually subtle, but you may notice your braking system isnt as quick to respond as it once was.
- You feel the brake pedal vibrate when you stop.
If you have any concerns about your brakes, its best to bring your vehicle to our dealership and let our qualified mechanics check your braking system. at our auto service center in San Antonio if you need assistance with brakes.
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Can I Change Brake Rotors Myself
Yes. Changing brake rotors rarely involves specialty tools. But while the process is often simple, its seldom easy. Especially if your rotors havent been changed in a while, prepare to block off some time and muster up some elbow grease.
The first step in replacing your brakes is to ensure you have the correct replacement part for your specific make and model. You may need to check with a local auto parts store if youre unsure what kinds of brakes are installed on your car.
To give you a quick overview, with the vehicle on a level surface, lift one side of the car and support it with a jack stand before removing any parts to access your brakes. On most cars, the process looks something like this:
1. Remove your lug nuts and remove your wheel.
2. Loosen and move your brake caliper.
3. Remove your brake disk.
4. Replace with the new disk.
5. Replace the calipers.
6. Replace the wheel.
7. Remove the jack stands and lower the jack.
Although this removal and replacement is simplified, itâs a relatively easy thing to do if you have any mechanical knowledge and some socket wrenches and torque wrench and maybe a mallet to use on the disk.
Because you already have the caliper exposed, most experts recommend changing your brake pads at the same time. If the calipers themselves are old or worn, its a good time to replace those, too.
How Much Should Brake Repair Cost
Your brake system is made up of several components, all of which need to be maintained and repaired. These parts work together to safely stop your vehicle when you press down on the brake pedal. While there is some variation across different vehicle models, most brake systems include:
- Brake lines: Most cars have a hydraulic system that uses fluid to transfer the pressure applied to the pedal to the brake. Brake fluid is stored in the master cylinder and moves to the calipers through the brake lines.
- Brake pads: Made from steel with friction material attached to the surface, the brake pads press against the rotor and create the friction necessary to slow and stop the car.
- Rotors: The rotor, which is bowl-shaped and attached to the wheel, takes kinetic energy and turns it into thermal energy, which is then absorbed and dissipated.
- Calipers: Calipers squeeze the brake pads against the rotors to slow and stop the car.
All of these parts can wear down over time, making them less effective and making it more difficult for your car to brake safely. Some of the signs that you need brake repair include:
Any of these symptoms can mean its time to take your vehicle in for inspection. Brake problems are a major safety issue, so its important to get these issues checked right away.
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Do You Also Need To Replace The Brake Rotors
If you are replacing your brake pads, you mightfind that you also need to replace your brake rotors. How do you know if youonly need to replace the brake pads or if the brake rotors are bad too?
Chances are you will replace the brake pads morefrequently than you will replace the rotors. Most of your brake maintenancewill involve replacing the brake pads.
If you can get almost 50,000 miles out of yourbrake pads, you might get close to 70,000 out of your brake rotors.
Consider The Driving Conditions
If you regularly commute in stop-and-go traffic conditions, you are putting more wear on the rotors. The brake pads are also going to wear down faster than normal. If possible, consider changing the drive to include more freeway miles, even if it adds a couple of minutes to the commute.
You can also stop braking so much by implementing more coasting. The less often you have to brake, the longer the rotors will last.
In the same respect, if you spend a lot of time driving on mountainous or windy roads, you are probably using your brakes more often. To help prolong the life of the braking system, you might consider implementing more engine braking by downshifting, especially when going downhill. Not only will this prolong the life of the brakes, but it keeps them from fading because of excessive heat.
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Replace The Brake Pads
The brake pads are responsible for working with the rotors to stop the vehicle. Every time you push the brake pedal, the pads make contact with the rotor to stop the tires from spinning. Your brake pads will last between 20,000 and 70,000 miles, depending on what type you purchase and how you drive.
At the first sign that the pads are worn, you should replace them. If you allow all of the brake pad material to wear away, you will create damage to the rotors. The metal of the pads starts to wear against the rotors, not only ruining this vital brake part but also compromising your on-road safety.
It can also lead to other damage, whether to your brake caliper or lines. Trust us you dont want to deal with more expensive brake repairs or require the need for a brake line flaring tool. You can change the brake pads for far less money than doing extensive repairs.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Brake Pads And Rotors
Brake pads need to be replaced on each wheel. Though they may not wear at exactly the same rate, typically youll replace both sides at the same time. The average cost is several hundred dollars for both axles to be replaced it can cost more depending on the model of car you drive. You may also pay more for brake pads constructed from semi-metallic or ceramic materials, which can perform better and be more durable.
Rotors cost more than brake pads. They can be turned, or reshaped, for significantly less than new rotors, but labor costs should be accounted for. Depending on the quality of the replacement rotors, you may find that total replacement is nearly as cost-efficient as turning.
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Lifespan Of Brake Pads And Rotors
The longevity of brakes can depend on several variables. Heavy city traffic with frequent stop and go conditions, worn out suspension system components, vehicle weight and cargo load, steep inclines, brake fluid condition, driving habits, and the brake pads friction material quality impact the duration of the brake systems life.
So, how often should you change your brake pads? Depending on these variables, most brake pads last anywhere between 30,000 and 70,000 miles.
Brake rotors have the potential to last beyond the life of many brake pads, depending on the driver and brake maintenance. Many rotors are able to be machined, or resurfaced, depending on wear which may extend their life. As long as brake rotors have no signs of warping or are otherwise cracked, a technician can resurface the top layer down to a smooth and flat surface within the manufacturers specifications, giving it a like-new life. Depending on the thickness of the material and how much material has to be removed, a rotor can be resurfaced more than once.
A technician will be able to remove your rotors and determine whether they can be machined and reused or if its wise to replace them all together. Rotors should be machined whenever brake services are performed on your vehicle, including when replacing brake pads. This ensures a smoother and more successful braking experience that helps extend the life of the new brake pads. There are drawbacks to resurfacing rotors, however.
