I'm replacing the brake pads again, BUT do I need to do the rotors?

[paitken76]

A couple years ago, heck maybe it was more like 4, I took my car into my shop as usual for a brake service. Freaked out over the price I had decided that I would do them myself like most everything else from that point on. (Of course most of my tech advice cam from this Pelican BBS and you friendly follks) To make a long story short, I'm in need of changing the pads again but am wondering if I need to do the rotors as well. Back then when I was pricing out brakes services everyone included new rotors in their prices, and I thought "Why? Mine look just fine" So do any of you know: 1. How long do rotors typically last? 2. How do you know when you need new rotors? Warning signs, things to look for. 3. Should I replace them as well when performing a brake service? And finally, 4. Advantages of using cross drilled over the OEM standard 944 NA rotors?

As always, Thank you all kindly for the advice!

[SoCal Driver]

If you just have normal street travel and wear; NO.

If the brakes start pulsing bad then yes.

Had a set that looked like ripples on a pond after a big rock. Just kept replacing the pads. Took a while for the pads to seat but beat the price of rotors. Only replace them cause the part car I bought had better ones on it.

[Wolf1]

Originally posted by paitken76

1. How long do rotors typically last?
2. How do you know when you need new rotors? Warning signs, things to look for.
3. Should I replace them as well when performing a brake service? And finally,
4. Advantages of using cross drilled over the OEM standard 944 NA rotors?

1. rotor life is not a "fixed" time or mileage. It depends on your driving habits, type of pads used, etc..
2. Typical warning signs are: grinding noise, pulsating when applying brakes, etc...
3. If the rotors are still within specifications, resurfacing them is fine.
4. Cross drilled rotors cool a little better and allow the hot gases that are formed between the pads and rotors to escape, this helps to reduce brake fade. However, it also helps to reduce the life expectancy of your brake pads. There is always a trade-off..

[Moneyguy1]

The standard brakes are more than adequate to do nearly anything you may ask of them. If the rotor thickness is still within tolerance, they can be resurfaced and save you a bunch of money. Please do not use an air compressor to "clean the dust" off your system while repairing, the dust is nasty to the lungs. Use the spray brake cleaner and CLEAN rags.

[MrPants]

if i were to upgrade the type of rotors id go with slotted. ive seen pictures of cross drilled rotors that have cracked because of the cross drilling. they also have less usable rotor surface which is, in principle, worse.
if you want to stop faster (and as long as you are replacing pads) investing in better pads would be the most cost effective route i think.

[adrian jaye]

in words of one syllabul.
"no"

but down to cost, there is no harm in doing so.

I would say the OEM parts are probably better (depending on your application) than non OEM.

make sure the pads have the anti-squeel shims built in (which the OEM ones do)

otherwsie go OEM for both

[CJFusco]

"4. Advantages of using cross drilled over the OEM standard 944 NA rotors?"

I have noticed a HUGE improvement in stopping power since installing cross-drilled rotors... of course, that may have to do with the fact that the old rotors were original items and very, very worn.

Sort of like how when you replace your original, 20 year-old plug wires and notice a huge improvement, it's probably due more to just having new wires in there than actually having "performance wires"

[adrian jaye]

thats mind point CJ

had you replaced with new OEM parts

I think you'd still have noticed the same improovement