Hey guys I've had 102k on my stock rotors from the factory, it's always been resurfaced with brake jobs (I've had 2-3 brake jobs since I've owned it.. All highway miles) and at the stealership they are saying I need new rotors.

Besides the usual rust on the outer edges and the inside hub, there's no actual rust on the surface of the rotor itself. I felt the surface, and it's smooth. There are lines running in circles, but I expected that from the braking and it's smooth as well. No cracks either. They are telling me it cannot be machined anymore, and needs to be replaced. Does this sound right or am I getting hosed?

 

Rotors can only be resurfaced so many times. With 102k and 3 resurfacings, I'm surprised they are warped. Get new rotors all the way around.

 

Wow, you had them resurfaced 3 times? I'm surprised they lasted this long.

To answer your question, rotors have a minimum thickness specification. As rotors wear, or get resurfaced, they get thinner and thinner. Evebtually, they are too thick to be deemed safe (and effective since rotor mass does play a role in heat disappation) and need to be replaced no matter how pretty they look.

At 102K miles and 3 resurfacing, I would venture to say the dealership is right and they are too thin to resurface

 

Rotors can only be resurfaced so many times then they become a liability, my guess is you passed that point some while ago! Replace all four rotors and invest in quality pads! Both can be found on our Marketplace under vendor brakes. Good Luck & Enjoy the Ride...Gary

 

Wow I guess 102k miles isn't bad then. Thanks for the clarification guys,!

 

So when I got home, I looked at all my service records... I found something interesting. It seems the rear pads wear out faster than the fronts. Is this normal? Here's what I have:

Front rotors were resurfaced 3 times, pads were replaced 2 times at 28k and 71k. Still on factory rotor.

Rear pads was resurfaced and replaced 3 times prior to today at 23k, 46k, 78k. Today I had it replaced for the 4th time WITH the rotor at 102k.

So it seems like the rears go like clockwork at 23k or so, while the front is good for twice as long? Are these cars made to have more wear in the rear, or did I have a bad rotor and brakes all this time till it was replaced today? What do u guys think?

 

Unless you can guarantee that your pads were down to nothing when they were replaced, it's hard to get a feel for true wear issues.

For example, I have 160K on my G35x. I just did front and rear brakes (new pads and rotors) and i'm on my 4th set up front, and 3rd set out back. So I got about 53K miles from each set of front brakes, and 80K out of the rears.

BTW I do a lot of highway miles.

 

I mostly highway miles or so. So how many times did you have your rotors replaced?

 

I DIY my own brake work, and I always replace rotors. Not against resurfacing, but I like brand spanking new rotors and pads each time....just how I am.