how often should rotors be rotated/replaced?

[blurredvision]

I had my rotors and brake pads replaced almost two years ago to the date, and was having some concerns about their safety now. A couple of weeks ago, I noticed my brakes start to 'squeal', which of course means they need to be replaced, and replaced soon. Well, something else I've noticed that has been getting worse over the past couple of weeks, is when I am just driving down the road, with no brakes applied, there's a sound like something is scraping against something else. I used to could only hear this when driving by a building, and the sound would bounce back to where I could hear it, but now I can hear it just driving through open country. I'm going Monday to have my brake pads replaced (I don't get paid till then). Could this extra sound I hear be another problem, or could it be the brake pads as well? I know this isn't much of a description, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

I drive a 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix SE, front wheel drive.

Also, what kinda of price range should I be looking at to get just my brake pads replaced now-a-days?

 

[Electric Amish]

Rotors should probably never be replaced unless you gouge them badly by not changing pads, or warp them.

I've never replaced mine on my '94 Ford Probe. 100k+ miles.

I do my own brakes and can do it for $20-$30 per axle. I don't know what other places charge.

amish

 

[DDad]

As a general rule- you should check them for wear at ever time you look at the brakes, or feel a unusual vibration (mainly when you hit the brakes, but can get to normal driving). If there are gouges or grooves, they should be at the very least be turned. If the gouge or groove is deeper than the recommended limit, replace them. If the rotor is warped, IMO, replace it, been my experience that even after you turn the rotor it will probably "rewarp",

The noise you are probably hearing is the "squeeller" iof the brake pads- remember , pads stay close to the rotor even when the brakes aren't applied. Also Possible, you may have a stuck Caliper- not nearly as common on GM's as they were on Fords, but still a possibility.

BTW- you might go ahead and check the prices for rotors- several cases that I know of it's about as cheap to buy new ones as to turn the old ones!

 

[ttn1]

It's not really the amount of time, but the mileage and type of driving that you do. If it's mostly highway driving with very little breaking you can go a long time between brake changes. City driving is a lot worse.

I have a small economy care and I change the brake pads about once every 50K miles or so. I've changed the rotors twice in the 175000 miles my car has on it now. The rotors on my car tend to warp, causing a vibration when braking, and this was the main reason for replacement. For best braking performance you should really have the rotors and drums turned, thin layer of metal removed from surface, each time you change the pads.

Changing rotors or drums can also depend on the type of brake pads you use. If you get the most expensive ones, they are usually metallic. These last forever, but eat the rotors to bits. I get the cheap ones and change them more frequently, but save the life of the rotors and drums.

There are thickness standards for when to change rotors and drums, but I don't know them offhand and I'm pretty sure they are different for each specific car.

As for the squeaking all the time, this is probably just the pads sticking against the rotor. Sometimes they will do this when they begin to wear out. Shouldn't be a major concern unless your car seems to have less braking ability.

As far as price, it can vary drastically usually based on the basic labor charge in your area. The pads themselves probably cost about $10 or less per pad.

 

[hoihtah]

as long as you properly treat your brake system...
it should last the lifetime of your car.

 

[iamwiz82]

It depends on how you drive. My first car lasted 65,000 miles on its first set of pads. My new car has 46,000 miles on them with only the back brakes having been changed, because the clip on one of the pads broke off and was rattling horribly.

 

[vi edit]

Uhg. GM.

GM has this serious problem with their cars chewing through rotors like mad. It is not normal to have to replace rotors annually/bianually. GM seems to think that it is.

Bleh.

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: hoihtah
as long as you properly treat your brake system...
it should last the lifetime of your car.

Well, the pads aren't going to last the life of the car.
I've had a few cars that never needed the rotors replaced, though.

 

[blurredvision]

Thanks everyone! Very informative stuff here. When I had my rotors replaced in June of 2000, they were $105 each, so it was $210 plus labor to put them on. Back before I had the rotors and pads changed, I was feeling vibration in the brakes, and still even after getting both replaced. I've pretty much gotten used to the vibration, it was mainly the noise that was worrying me. Atleast now I know it not going to just plain fall apart in the next 5 days I still have to drive it. Thanks a lot.

As for the squeaking all the time, this is probably just the pads sticking against the rotor. Sometimes they will do this when they begin to wear out. Shouldn't be a major concern unless your car seems to have less braking ability.

Braking ability is same as it's always been, just with the noise now.

 

[DougK62]

Here is my advice to you: learn to do your front brakes yourself. On a car like yours they are EXTREMELY easy to do and it will save you a ton of money. People that do brake jobs are the worst money-gougers in the auto industry. Back in the day when I was young and naive (and driving my first Beretta) I had a shop do my brakes because I didn't know how to do them. The bill? $380ish to do front pads and rotors. These days I still drive a Beretta, but I do the brakes myself. I can do both sides on the front in about an hour and a half - this is in my garage with basic hand tools and a 2 ton jack. What does it cost me? I bought rotors (2 year warranty) and Performance Friction metallic pads (lifetime warranty) from AutoZone. The rotors were $15 each and the pads were $30-$40. As long as I do my brakes before the warranty on the rotors is up, I don't pay a dime. I just go to AutoZone with the old parts and they give me new ones - no questions asked. I've been doing this for years. So every year I replace my front pads and rotors and it costs me nothing but a little bit of time The rotors never NEED replacing, but I get them free everytime so why not? Your Grand Prix will have a similar setup as mine.

 

[blurredvision]

Doug, could I find some illustrations or instructions somewhere on the net that would get me started on how to replace the brake pads? I don't know if I'm brave enough to try replacing the rotors, because I'm mostly car illiterate. I know how to change tires, oil, and refill my fluids. That's about it. Thanks for any links anyone can provide.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: WoodchuckCharlie
Doug, could I find some illustrations or instructions somewhere on the net that would get me started on how to replace the brake pads? I don't know if I'm brave enough to try replacing the rotors, because I'm mostly car illiterate. I know how to change tires, oil, and refill my fluids. That's about it. Thanks for any links anyone can provide.

go to your local auto parts store and pick up a chilton or haynes manual on your car. That will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know.