diomedes

I let the 8 sit in Canadian weather changes from March to June, rotors took a hit, even though they were brand new after market with new pads. They accumulated some rust but it has worn off, they look rather worn visually.

Mazda dealers said change them but I've had other places lie to me about pads needing changes and I drove it just fine for 2 years after that claim... So I guess I have trust issues, especially if the dealer wants to bank on me... Or do they

They are warped since you get those bumps passed through the brake pedal but no weakness on the breaks as I use them now.

I get that it's taboo so I'm ready to get flamed but I drive very little and on small roads never highways obviously, break early in case and know how to clutch break if need be. But I'm still insecure.
​​​​​​Went to order new rotors but that's 250$ plus 200$ install at a smaller garage.

Should I change them immediately or how do you know if it's a very serious issue. I had to swallow deflood costs caused by a faulty battery terminal with the storage etc

What's the verdict from people who know better, thanks

2009 r3

Loki

iTrader: (1)

If they weren't warped before storage they're not warped now. It takes heat cycles to warp a rotor. You may just need to give them a nice a work out with repeat aggressive braking from 80mph or so to 10 and back. Try to avoid full stops when doing that.

The pulsation you feel isn't necessarily the metal of the rotor warping, more often it's an uneven transfer layer of pad material.

If you're handy you could pull the pads and give them a cleaning with compressed air and lube the caliper pins at the same time. Lubing pins is supposed to be done regularly but the last time your pads were it was disregarded, you might not know.

Also are you sure it's the brakes pulsating and not tires that have flatspotted from sitting all winter? Did you leave the handbrake set for storage? You want to store with handbrake off and chocks at the wheels to save the handbrake springs and pad to rotor rust welding.

Either way, it's not a safety issue, you can continue to drive on it and see if they bed in.

Do you know what pads are on there?

diomedes

Man I really luck out on your presence and willingness to share information. I did the hard breaking thing for about 15 stops down to 10, and they break is considerably smoother. It's really hot, sunny and dry so eventually you could smell it a bit.
I owe you beer.

I didn't store it properly, by that I used the hand brake, but I did that before with no consequence in the past, I'll keep it in mind in the future. The pads were from a new kit from Max brakes, very inexpensive.

Also I'm going to nuke that dealership, the place is a snakes nest.

ASH8

Loki is correct OP.

Brake Rotors or Disks DO NOT get warped because of storage, it is impossible, perhaps a better use of the word.

I have stored my S2 for years and never has warped Rotor.
Yes corrosion or rust happens if a lot of moisture is in the air over winter or car was wet when put into storage.

Rotors are clean and naked steel which will rust, but this is only surface and will disappear after a few brake applications.

Take car for a drive and use brakes a few times.