If I take my car to get its brake pads replaced, is it normal to also get

[Little Wing]

new rotors at the same time or are they just trying to upsell me on them? The rotors look okay to me, and I drive the car like a granny...

Thoughts?

[matcom]

1. i went in for brake pads....

$700 later I had a whole new system.

what are you gonna say? my rotors were badly worn (yeah I made them show them to me). that is about all you can do. make sure they SHOW you the parts. I had to have EVERYTHING replaced (70k at the time on the car). don't know if I got ripped or not but *sigh* that is the life of not knowing much about that shit.

good luck

[Little Wing]

2. was that front AND back?

god I hope so, I can't afford 700 bucks until either next week or when my goddamn taxes come back

[matcom]

11. whole truck

not a phone call I enjoyed believe me

[NewJeffCT]

3. It's not uncommon

but, they may be trying to upsell you. It's kind of hard to tell unless you know the seller.

[LynneSin]

4. Sometimes I think it's the model of car you're driving

When I owned a GM it seemed every 2 years I had to get not only the pads replaced by the rotors too. My mom use to kid that it was my driving.

My next car was a Dodge and I think only once during it's life time I had the complete work done (mind you, I keep cars for at least 100k miles).

I've yet to have anything but the pads replaced on the Toyota.

GM cars for some reason are (perhaps were) really hard on breaks and steering columns

[lildreamer316]

5. What kind of car?

If the rotors are warped they need to be replaced; although technically you can get just pads put on warped rotors and drive anyway...it will feel shaky in the car when you stop. But it would be best to replace them if you can.


EDIT: I second matcom on the getting them to show you the parts idea.

[Little Wing]

6. Celica GT

I guess I'll wait for the phone call, and price.

[Joe Fields]

7. Roters last for many years. Chances of needing them replaced? Small

Unless you have worn your brake pads down to the point where you've been grinding metal against metal, every time you apply the brakes.

If you have worn a deep groove into your roters, you may need to replace them. Otherwise, you are being sold on expensive parts you don't need.

[masshole]

8. ask them to show you the rotors

Usually rotors can be machined smooth again, much less than the cost for new rotors. If the rotors are grooved like and old record album and there is sufficient depth they can made smooth again. Unless there is warping and/or the rotors have been previously machined smoothed, chances are they are simply up-selling you.
Was your brake pedal pulsating badly when you applied the brakes? If yes this is an indication of a warped rotor(s) and replacement is recommended.

[Little Wing]

10. no, nothing like that

they seemed okay to me

[Nickster]

9. 9 times out of 10, they try to upsell rotors, calipers, etc.

Only you can really say if it feels like the rotors are warped, or look at them visually like everyone else has been saying. You can usually have them machined smooth and just add pads.

[MissMillie]

12. I don't know what an "okay" rotor looks like

compared to a not-okay rotor.

I know that if you get a vibration when you brake, you need to replace the brake pads. If you get a grinding sound, your rotors will need replacing too.

That's how it has always worked for me.

It would be wise, if you're spending all that money for new pads and rotors, to make sure the brake calipers are working properly.

[catmandu57]

13. NO NO AND NO

They have a boat payment to make, usually when brakes are done the rotors need machined smooth, if you had bad rotors, believe me you'de know it, tell them if they want the brake job just to machine the old rotors, better yet tell them to go to blazes and take your business elsewhere.

[pdx_prog]

14. They can be re-surfaced if they need it...

Did you wait too long to replace your brakes? They can usually re-surface the rotors or drums one time, after that you need new ones.

[CC]

15. I just had my brakes done

and even the last car they never needed to replace the rotors. My mechanic is never allowed to quit or retire. People might riot. Brakes, tires rotated and oil change, $138.00.