$250 for replacement of the front pads and machining...DAMN !!!! I guess I did ok considering that I got just under 20,000 miles out of them...heard some people were having to replace at 12,000. I always downshift too. FYI...I tried a couple sources looking for the EBC Greenstuff pads since those Brembos make so much damn dust...but everywhere said they didn't have them and that lead-times were back anywhere from October to December...anyone heard anything different...? If EBC has made the Greenstuff pads...has anyone replace their Brembos with them...? Anyone replaced their Brembos with any other pads...?

"Operator, give me the number for 911!"
- Homer Simpson

 

You had to machine your discs? Were they warped or grooved?


03.5 Coupe - Black/Willow, 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, Sat

 

Not that I know of...he was telling me that it was standard for them to machine the rotors when replacing the pads (although I've never had to on old cars of mine unless they were warped)...but I guess I just assumed it was recommended because of the Brembo setup...guess I got screwed...???

"Operator, give me the number for 911!"
- Homer Simpson

 

Naw, you didn't get screwed, he was right. It's standard practice to machine the rotors when changing the pads - it cleans up the surface and evens it out so the new pads can groove themselves smoothly. If you don't do it, you risk seriously shortening the life if the new pads - and it only takes a few thousanths off the rotors, no biggie.
Most "shadetree" mechanics don't machine the rotors when changing pads, but that's because of a few things:
1) Extra work - You've gotta take the rotors off and have them machined.
2) Extra cost - obviously, they don't machine them for free.

But that's what makes them "shadetree" mechanics, rather than certified. It's ALWAYS good practice to machine the rotors when changing the pads. Anyone who tells you otherwise is full of it.

2003 G35 Coupe 6MT Leather
Premium, Aero
"There is no spoon"

 

It is not neccessary to resurface the rotors if the old pads have not damaged them. BTW, resurfacing the rotors can lead to later warping. I am a shadetree. If the rotors are bad, replace them. If you take care of her, she will take care of you.

G35 Coupe 5AT, DP, Tire and Wheel Pkg., Aluminum Pedals, Clear Corners, missing turbo

 

Conquie,

It's not always a good idea to machine rotors, regardless if you're a shadtree mechanic or an ASE Master Tech. The more you machine a rotor, the less mass it has to dissapate heat, which can lead to rotor warpage later on.

That said, if your rotors are in good condition (and true), then there is really no reason to machine them when changing pads.

Another point-- a freshly machined rotor will take more "life" out of a new set of pads than an unmachined rotor. Think about it- it takes a while for a machined rotor to get that reflective look to it. And what do you think is smoothing it out? That's right, the new pads.

Oh, by the way, I'm not shadetree, I'm certified.

 

Sorry, but there is absolutely NO reason to machine rotors every time you change your pads. The purpose of machining them is to make them flat and true within operating specifications. If they already are within those specs, machining them will only decrease the number of times you can machine them in the future.

Conquie, do you have data that shows machining an already in-spec rotor is essential, or even beneficial?


03.5 Coupe - Black/Willow, 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, Sat

 

I'm just a lowly shadetree mechanic, but I thought the only thing you needed to do when replacing pads on true rotors was scuff them up a bit with sandpaper, to help seat the new pads. I'll look at one of the braking sites to be sure, but I see no reason to cut metal off a true, ungrooved rotor.

-- mike

2003 G35C 6MT Leather, BS, Prem

 

This is totally a matter of opinion... I personally believe that whenever you rub two metals together there is not 100% smooth contact between the two metals. If you look at it on a microscopic level, it would be like contacting two pieces of sandpaper... This being the case, it is better to machine your rotor so that you have a really smooth surface in contact with a sandpaper like contact (brake pads).... Your brakes will last longer because the friction is less stressful (in terms of micro-crack generation which can be exploited over time and temperature)....

The stipulation is that you have to replace the rotors more frequently so that the thermal mass of the rotor is sufficient to dissipate the heat generatred at the brake interface. That sucks, but that is why it is a matter of opinion. If money was not object, then I would always machine the rotors and replace the brakes before necessary as not to get excessive wear...

Here's to alcohol : The cause of ... and answer to all of life's problems.

- Homer Simpson