Rear pads and rotor resurfacing?
#1
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Rear pads and rotor resurfacing?
Hey guys, I just rotated my tires and checked the rear pads and they appear a bit low, so I guess i'll have to replace them soon (first time). I just use the rx8 as a daily driver.. don't need anything special.. should I replace them with the stock pads or go with an aftermarket one that are just as good for less money?
Also, as far as I can recall, I don't notice any vibrations when braking.. should I still have the rear rotors resurfaced?
Thanks.
Also, as far as I can recall, I don't notice any vibrations when braking.. should I still have the rear rotors resurfaced?
Thanks.
Last edited by maverick02; 03-24-2010 at 11:17 PM.
#3
I agree with kingaaron. Stay with the stock pads. No need to resurface the rear rotors. BTW, I have over 150,000 miles on my 2004 RX8 and I'm on my 4th set of front pads (i.e., replaced 3 times) and 2nd set of rear pads (replaced 1 time). I've stayed with stock pads. Never resurfaced the rotors, not even the front rotors. In general, no vibrations. Bleeded my brake lines once.
Don't listen to Mazda techs or other mechanics, who just want to help their industry make more money. Don't need to resurface until there are vibrations.
Don't listen to Mazda techs or other mechanics, who just want to help their industry make more money. Don't need to resurface until there are vibrations.
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I agree with kingaaron. Stay with the stock pads. No need to resurface the rear rotors. BTW, I have over 150,000 miles on my 2004 RX8 and I'm on my 4th set of front pads (i.e., replaced 3 times) and 2nd set of rear pads (replaced 1 time). I've stayed with stock pads. Never resurfaced the rotors, not even the front rotors. In general, no vibrations. Bleeded my brake lines once.
Don't listen to Mazda techs or other mechanics, who just want to help their industry make more money. Don't need to resurface until there are vibrations.
Don't listen to Mazda techs or other mechanics, who just want to help their industry make more money. Don't need to resurface until there are vibrations.
Last edited by maverick02; 03-25-2010 at 12:34 AM.
#5
FYI, each of my front brake pads lasted 44,000 to 49,000 miles.
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Hey guys, I just rotated my tires and checked the rear pads and they appear a bit low, so I guess i'll have to replace them soon (first time). I just use the rx8 as a daily driver.. don't need anything special.. should I replace them with the stock pads or go with an aftermarket one that are just as good for less money?
Also, as far as I can recall, I don't notice any vibrations when braking.. should I still have the rear rotors resurfaced?
Thanks.
Also, as far as I can recall, I don't notice any vibrations when braking.. should I still have the rear rotors resurfaced?
Thanks.
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^^
what nubo said. but a minimum thickness is stamped on the rotors, and a tech won't cut the rotors if its within that range.
its as simple as putting a micrometer to it. and as cutting the rotors during a brake job is simply to make sure the rotors are true when new pads are installed. because sometimes... just sometimes a backyard diy will put on new pads when rotors are too thin, and rotor warping sets in and kills the new pads with it.
what nubo said. but a minimum thickness is stamped on the rotors, and a tech won't cut the rotors if its within that range.
its as simple as putting a micrometer to it. and as cutting the rotors during a brake job is simply to make sure the rotors are true when new pads are installed. because sometimes... just sometimes a backyard diy will put on new pads when rotors are too thin, and rotor warping sets in and kills the new pads with it.
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^^
what nubo said. but a minimum thickness is stamped on the rotors, and a tech won't cut the rotors if its within that range.
its as simple as putting a micrometer to it. and as cutting the rotors during a brake job is simply to make sure the rotors are true when new pads are installed. because sometimes... just sometimes a backyard diy will put on new pads when rotors are too thin, and rotor warping sets in and kills the new pads with it.
what nubo said. but a minimum thickness is stamped on the rotors, and a tech won't cut the rotors if its within that range.
its as simple as putting a micrometer to it. and as cutting the rotors during a brake job is simply to make sure the rotors are true when new pads are installed. because sometimes... just sometimes a backyard diy will put on new pads when rotors are too thin, and rotor warping sets in and kills the new pads with it.
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Hey guys, when you slap on new pads using the existing rotor, do you still bed-in the pads? What about old brake pad residue still being on the rotor?
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And again, I'd reiterate that the decision on whether resurfacing is needed should be driven by the specifications set forth by Mazda. It's just as silly to say that rotors never need resurfacing as it is to say that they always need resurfacing. Some do, some dont. You find out by measuring things such as runout, thickness, and depth of grooves.
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I put some miles on them first so that the and rotors mate (take the same shape). Otherwise, some spots contact first and you won't really be laying down a consistent layer of transfer material and the heating will be uneven. If the rotors were resurfaced the break-in period won't be too long. If you replaced the pads without resurfacing it will take longer.
And again, I'd reiterate that the decision on whether resurfacing is needed should be driven by the specifications set forth by Mazda. It's just as silly to say that rotors never need resurfacing as it is to say that they always need resurfacing. Some do, some dont. You find out by measuring things such as runout, thickness, and depth of grooves.
And again, I'd reiterate that the decision on whether resurfacing is needed should be driven by the specifications set forth by Mazda. It's just as silly to say that rotors never need resurfacing as it is to say that they always need resurfacing. Some do, some dont. You find out by measuring things such as runout, thickness, and depth of grooves.
#18
In addition, aren't you changing the REAR brake pads for the FIRST time? As you know, the brake force distribution is biased way way way way in favor of the front brakes. In other words, the rear pads/rotors are used relatively lightly. So, I would imagine chances are very low that you'll experience anything weird with the rear brakes. Slap the rear pads on and go!
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Bingo. You're thinking exactly how I think now. Slap the brake pads on and see how they work. If you have vibrations or a lot of squeal, then worry about the next step at that point, right? Don't make things more complicated than necessary, because believe me, I tend to do that myself. And even I have learned to relax a bit about the brake pad and brake rotor stuff.
In addition, aren't you changing the REAR brake pads for the FIRST time? As you know, the brake force distribution is biased way way way way in favor of the front brakes. In other words, the rear pads/rotors are used relatively lightly. So, I would imagine chances are very low that you'll experience anything weird with the rear brakes. Slap the rear pads on and go!
In addition, aren't you changing the REAR brake pads for the FIRST time? As you know, the brake force distribution is biased way way way way in favor of the front brakes. In other words, the rear pads/rotors are used relatively lightly. So, I would imagine chances are very low that you'll experience anything weird with the rear brakes. Slap the rear pads on and go!
Last edited by maverick02; 04-09-2010 at 08:17 AM.
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