Brake Rotors.
A brake rotor is the part of a vehicle that comes into contact with the brake pads and creates friction against them. This friction slows down or stops the vehicle. Brake rotors are one of three parts that make up the braking system on a motor vehicle (the other two parts are calipers and pads).
Brake rotors are the metal discs that the brake pads press against when you apply the brakes. They’re usually made of cast iron, though some cars use aluminum or carbon fiber rotors.
When do you need new brake rotors?
Brake rotors are one of the most common parts to wear out on your car. They should be checked regularly as part of your routine maintenance. Brake rotors are more durable than brake pads, however, they do wear out over time and eventually need to be replaced. The thickness of a rotor will decrease due to normal wear and tear from braking activity and from being exposed to heat from driving on hot roads in the summer months. If this happens frequently enough, your brakes may start squealing, grinding, or screeching when you apply. This can be a sign that it’s time for replacements.
Do you need new brake rotors or can they be resurfaced?
Back in the day, the rotors could be resurfaced because vehicles were bigger and heavier and brake rotors were no exception. Those rotors were made much thicker so there was enough material on them to resurface while still staying within the minimum thickness specification. Some larger vehicles like heavier pick-up trucks have larger brake rotors that can still be resurfaced and be cost-effective for the customer.
In current times, in an effort to make vehicles lighter, increase gas mileage, and save money, the rotors are made thin and lightweight. As a result, there is not much material to resurface to make them smooth again. Most of the time, rotors need to be replaced and it is more cost-effective to replace the rotors than resurface them.
The average life expectancy of brake rotors is about 40,000 miles. However, there are many variables that can affect how long they last such as driving style, climate, and condition of the roads where you live or drive through. Brake rotors get thinner with use as they wear down from heat caused by friction between the pads and rotor surface. When they reach a certain thickness they will begin to warp which causes vibration while braking or pulling to one side when braking. This can become dangerous if not addressed immediately because warped rotors will not stop your car properly causing you to lose control at high speeds or cause damage to other parts on your vehicle like calipers or tires.
Brake rotors are made of cast iron, steel, layered steel, aluminum, ceramic, and high carbon. The rotor material on your vehicle greatly depends on your driving style and vehicle. Our technicians at My Mechanic can advise you on the best option for your specific needs.
Brake Pads.
Brake pads are the most important part of your car’s braking system. The purpose of brake pads is to make contact with the rotor and slow down your car by creating friction. They are made up of a combination of steel, iron, and ceramic materials. When pressing on the brake pedal, the pads press against the brake rotor, slowing down or stopping your car.
Brake pads are basically two pieces of metal friction material attached to them. They typically have a metal backing plate with holes in it to allow air to escape as they heat up and wear down during braking. They typically contain a friction material that wears away as you use your brakes. They fit into a caliper that is mounted to the axle. When you push on your brake pedal, the caliper presses against these pads causing them to squeeze on the rotating rotor. This slows the rotation of the rotor, thus slowing down the speed of the vehicle.
Brake pads are what slow your car down. As you may have guessed by now, the pads wear down over time with all the stopping. When your brake pads wear out, it means that there is no longer enough material left on them to create friction, so they can no longer stop or slow down your car.
It is very important to keep an eye on them and replace them when necessary so that you can continue driving safely. You do not want to lose your braking abilities while driving and if you are going too fast for the conditions, it could result in an accident or even death! If you don’t replace your brake pads when needed, it could also result in damage to other parts of your car like wheels, rotors, and calipers — all expensive repairs that could have been avoided if only you had changed out your brake pads when necessary!
Tell Tale Signs You Might Need New Brake Pads or Rotors
- Your car pulls to one side when braking
- Your brakes squeak or squeal when applying brakes
- You feel a pulsation when braking
- You hear grinding or screeching when slowing down
- It feels like your brakes are dragging while driving
- Stopping distance has increased
- If the Rotor has a blue tint to it (a sign of excessive heat)
What if I have ABS, won’t that stop the vehicle for me?
If the rotor is warped or uneven, it can cause the ABS system to misinterpret the wheel speed, leading to incorrect brake modulation and potentially reducing the effectiveness of the ABS system. The ABS light will NOT illuminate for worn-out rotors or pads. These need to be visually inspected by a trusted mechanic.
Brake pads and/or rotor replacements can be very expensive repairs if not done correctly. Luckily it doesn’t have to be, our ASE Certified Mechanics will provide you with the best option to get you back on the road safely. If you’re not sure whether or not it’s time for new brakes or just need some advice on what services need to be done, the pros at My Mechanic have you covered!
