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Does everyone have to get new rotors?

T

the_dude

SM 2004
Full Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2002
Messages
938
Location
VA & KY
I've got 45,000 miles on my 02 AV and I was wondering if I would HAVE to get new rotors or are they something that can last a long while if propperly cared for? What are the visual signs that I can look for to see if I need them? I'm thinking with 45k I could atleast stand some new brake pads in the rear since it seems the stopping distance and ability is starting to decrease. Any recomendations on brand brake pads to use?
 
Rotors do not neccessarily need replacing...

things to look for:
deep grooving
uneven surface
warpage
Thin material

I think GM reccommends not even turning them when changing pads....but if they need turning then get new ones...or something like that....Sperry posted something in here somewhere..

good luck
 
My uncle is a certified mechanic specializing in preventive maintenance and he told me that rotating the rotors would eventually come to me purchasing new ones. If you keep your brakes up by changing them when you have to there is no need to rotate the rotor. Rotating the rotor shortens the life of it. I think the dealership was trying to make some money off me.
 
I have an 02 Av with 32000 miles on it. I noticed that I was having a squeel from the right rear brake. After taking it to the shop they told me I needed new rotors in the rear, as well as the front. I didn't believe them, so I took a look myself and sure enough they were rusted very badly. The fronts were not only rusted, but they were pretty unevenly worn.

I have driven silverados prev to the Av and not had this problem even after 45000 miles. I purchased all new rotors and pads to do this job myself, but it has turned out to be a real pain in the but. The rears were not so bad, but when I took them off I noticed that my ebrake shoes were basically missing. The dealership took care of that one for me.

I just spent 4 hours changing one front rotor since it was basically rusted solid onto the hub and I had to pound it off with a large hammer. I still have to change the last front rotor out, but that will have to wait till tomorrow. I cannot belive how bad the brakes are on this truck!
 
If you take care of them, ie, change the brake pads as soon as the wear sensors start to squeal, you probably won't ever have to change rotors. I've put over 150,000 miles on them before with no problems.
 
Talking to my friend that owns an autoparts store, there have been lots of problems with the stock rear rotors on the Av. He suspects the truck needs a better braking system, and he said it's not unusual to need new rotors between 30-40K miles. Don't replace the GM rotors with more of the same, he's recommending the Wagner rotors, they're getting much better mileage, and cost quite a bit less.

I'm used to getting 75K on the rear pads of both my prior Fords and Chevys, so this is somewhat annoying.
 
I don't use my brakes so they last a long time. I get rid of the vehicle before the brakes ever get close to needing repair. How many miles you get out of them depends on how they are used.
 
tnbezel said:
My uncle is a certified mechanic specializing in preventive maintenance and he told me that rotating the rotors would eventually come to me purchasing new ones. If you keep your brakes up by changing them when you have to there is no need to rotate the rotor. Rotating the rotor shortens the life of it. I think the dealership was trying to make some money off me.
Click to expand...

ROFLMAO...I almost spit coffee on my monitor when I read this...
After 20 years in the Automotive Service Industry I will certify to
you there is NO SUCH THING as "rotor rotation"...

I am not flaming on you tnbezel...folks get taken every day by scandalous repair shops...

Specifically on the Av...you cannot rotate the rotors front to rear...the fronts are different from the rears and this is true for most vehicles as well...even side to side rotation is scandalous...and uncalled for...EVER...Please don't fall for this...

As for the rear rotors on the Av...the most common issue is not the rotor itself...the rear rotor on the Av uses pads for braking and the inner "shell" of the rotor is similar to a drum and uses shoes for the park brake system...it is the park brake shoes that historically have caused issues with the rear rotor...they go "metal to metal" and create the need for replacement of the
damaged rotor...this premature failure is uncalled for and should always be covered under warranty as long as it is brought to the attention of the dealer within the warranty period...it is not a wear and tear item as some dealers would try to tell you since in general we don't drive around with our park brakes set...so there should be no wear out within reason...within reason in my opinion means that the park brake shoes should not wear out in a maintenance related way within the warranty period unless one left the park brake engaged while driving...
As a preventative measure...I would have them inspected prior to the expiration of your basic warranty and stand tall for warranty repair if they are found to be worn out or "metal to metal"...
There are many threads that discuss this in further detail...
 
I CHNGE said:
ROFLMAO...I almost spit coffee on my monitor when I read this...
After 20 years in the Automotive Service Industry I will certify to
you there is NO SUCH THING as "rotor rotation"...
Click to expand...

I CHNGE, I think when he was referring to rotating the rotors, he meant turning them to take out any wear marks or warpage. I agree with you that there is no way you should actually try to rotate rotors like you would with a set of tires.

Just my .02

Vetman
 
Fitzie Sensei (formerly said:
Rangerfan said:
I don't use my brakes so they last a long time. .
Click to expand...

Yes, but HOW HIGH is your insurance bill ???
Click to expand...

When they taught me to hit the brakes, I thought they said bricks, so now I just look for a wall to run into whenever I need to stop.
 
Fitzie Sensei (formerly said:
Yes, but HOW HIGH is your insurance bill ???
Click to expand...

Brakes are for amateurs, practice your driving skills and you'll rarely have to use them. Most American drivers are either hard on the accellerator, or hard on the brakes all the time. I spent some time in Germany and learned quite a bit about driving. They take driving much more seriously there.
 
Excellent post Rangerfan. Most people around here only look as far ahead as the car/truck in front of them. Hence the large number of rear enders. As an old racer, I can tell you that if you focus your eyes as far down the road as possible, everything between there and your eyes will be visable. By watching what is happening 500 yards or so ahead, you avoid sudden manuvers and heavy brake use. Like you, I rarely use the brakes except to disengage the cruise. I've got 67K on this set of pads and still have some room before the wear sensors will start to squeal.

BTW...does Rangerfan refer to baseball or hockey?
 
Rangerfan said:
I don't use my brakes so they last a long time. I get rid of the vehicle before the brakes ever get close to needing repair. How many miles you get out of them depends on how they are used.
Click to expand...

And here I am using my brakes like a sucker :rolleyes:

If only I can find a way not to use my gas in the tank while I drive :love:
 
ygmn said:
I think GM reccommends not even turning them when changing pads....but if they need turning then get new ones...or something like that....Sperry posted something in here somewhere..
Click to expand...

Anyone have info on this?  (not turning rotors)

Dealership just turned my rotors and sanded my pads due to pulsation.  All done under warranty.  I have 22,000 mi on my '03 Z-71.
 
The reason I say not to turn rotors...is this...

When manufactured the rotors are machined such that the swept area surfaces are parallel, flat  and of uniform thickness to some tolerance...

When rotors get out of whack...that is the surface is not flat and they have waves in them....turning each side to remove the waves and make it flat and parallel again....will cause there to be thin spots in funky places...

this will likely cause the rotor to continue to warp again as it goes thru its heat and cool cycles since the rate of expansion and contraction wil not be uniform due to thickness....

this difference in thickness also effects heat transfer and ultimatley the temperature in the rotor to be somewhat different ..hotter in thin areas then thick areas..which again increase the likelyhood of the rotors warping again....


in the past..rotors were made very thick and sometimes solid....so machining was not a big deal...but as manufacturers strive to lower costs and weight...the rotor becomes thinner and vented....etc etc...and sometimes..manufacturers do not want them turned but replaced ....

I am not sure what Chevy says on the Avy rotors....but it should nbe easy to check by finding what the rotor minimum thickness spec is and measuring versus what ya have now....

HTH
 
YGMN - Thanks for the reply, I understand.
 
Hey, just jumping in here out of turn but...  here's what happened to me...

I have an '02 AV.  I just turned 90,000 miles on it.  A 2 weeks ago I put carbon metallic pads on the front because bigger tires/rims needed stopping power, had the rotors turned and they were well within spec and not warped at all.  I had the rear pads but didn't put them on because it got dark on me.  1 week ago I heard a huge bang and a lot of clanging and crap flying out from under the truck.  The rear rotor on the passenger side collapsed on the inside face.  The pad got pushed into the rotor, destroying the pad, then the caliper's pistons extended into the tore up rotor and destroyed them.

NOTE...  if one of the calipers leaks, you have no breaks!!  PLUS, the E Brake burns up REALLY fast when you're going 70, down a hill, headed into the city. 

It was about $50 per rotor, $45 ber e-brake drum, $75 for a rebuilt caliper, $60 for carb metallic pads..

When I was at napa auto parts, the guy at the front counter mentioned that his truck did the same thing at 95,000.  I would STRONGLY suggest paying close attention to the rear rotors and getting them replaced.  They're VERY easy to change.  I did both in less then 2 hours.
 
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