Necessary to turn the rotors before installing new pads?

WOT Bimmer · 03-20-2013, 04:46 PM

Topic says it all... Is it necessary to turn the rotors before installing new pads? I have OEM pads now and will be replacing them soon (and hopefully eliminating the dust!

) and I will be using my OEM rotors. The rotors are in really good shape (I mean REALLY good shape - less than 60k miles). I would really like to avoid pulling them off if I don't have to.

Suggestions?

robert @ eas · 03-20-2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kd8ksn

Topic says it all... Is it necessary to turn the rotors before installing new pads? I have OEM pads now and will be replacing them soon (and hopefully eliminating the dust!

) and I will be using my OEM rotors. The rotors are in really good shape (I mean REALLY good shape - less than 60k miles). I would really like to avoid pulling them off if I don't have to.

Suggestions?

You can continue to use used rotors if the lip is not too bad on the inside and also outside diameter.

Good idea to file a small chamfer across the top and bottom of the brake pad to clear any lip prior to installation and the pad will bed in much faster.

We recommend Cool Carbon Street Performance pads as better in all categories and without the on/off characteristic of OE pads with initial grabby feeling. Very linear and easy to modulate- Our favorite pad!!

David1 · 03-21-2013, 08:26 AM

Go with Hawk pads. They are a better quality pad. With 60k if the rotors are original they may need to be replaced. If there is a big lip they are done.

#Tee · 03-21-2013, 08:40 AM

If theres no obvious lip/grooves/hair line cracks on the rotor surface then you can reuse them. This was common practice at the dealership.

phillip@bmpdesign · 03-22-2013, 11:35 AM

On most European cars, and new domestics, the rotors are made of a softer material that is designed to wear with the pads giving better braking and less brake fade over the entire life of the pad. Unless you have some very special eyes, there is no way to visually inspect the surface of a rotor unless it is badly warped. If you check the thickness with a micrometer and AFTER machining to a smooth surface it is still above the minimum recommended thickness (stamped on the lip of the rotor) then you do not have to replace them.

10/10 you should replace your rotors with pads on your first brake service. If you do not resurface your rotors, the uneven surface of your rotor will cause your pads to wear faster and may reduce the effectiveness of your brake system.

Popsrcr · 03-22-2013, 11:49 AM

Pretty much everyone now says replace both. I don't know that you have to, but, unless you track the car a lot you probably aren't replacing pads a lot. Might as well replace both.

WOT Bimmer · 03-22-2013, 12:40 PM

Thanks for all the replies! I bought the car last summer with around 40k on it, and I think it had had some previous brake work; however, I don't know when and how much was done.

I checked the rotors last night, and to my surprise there is a fairly large lip on the edges. I have to go into the dealer today to ask them about something else, so I am going to get their opinion on the rotors.

Thanks all!

GoRomeo · 03-22-2013, 01:02 PM

Replace both if you can afford it. In terms of labor, its so easy to remove them. They only have one screw each.

WOT Bimmer · 03-22-2013, 09:47 PM

I was at the dealer today and talked with the tech, and he definitely suggested new rotors, so that's what I'm going with.

I'm thinking about getting these. Any thoughts? I don't think I need the R1 Concepts premium series, so I thought I would go with the Eline series.

I am considering Cool Carbon or Akebono for brake pads, but I'm undecided as to which one to use. Any thoughts there?

romanonj · 03-22-2013, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kd8ksn

I was at the dealer today and talked with the tech, and he definitely suggested new rotors, so that's what I'm going with.

I'm thinking about getting these. Any thoughts? I don't think I need the R1 Concepts premium series, so I thought I would go with the Eline series.

I am considering Cool Carbon or Akebono for brake pads, but I'm undecided as to which one to use. Any thoughts there?

Stay away from eBay rotors. Just purchased a set of calahan rotors for my x3 and cool carbon pads, rotors are out of balance and vibrate at highway speeds. The vendor was nice enough to send me a set or front replacement rotors, but vibration did not go away. So I am either going to get a set of bavauto or ecs rotors. Very aggregating. Nothing worse than having new pads and rotors vibrate.

WOT Bimmer · 03-23-2013, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romanonj

Stay away from eBay rotors. Just purchased a set of calahan rotors for my x3 and cool carbon pads, rotors are out of balance and vibrate at highway speeds. The vendor was nice enough to send me a set or front replacement rotors, but vibration did not go away. So I am either going to get a set of bavauto or ecs rotors. Very aggregating. Nothing worse than having new pads and rotors vibrate.

I agree with what you're saying, but those rotors are coming directly from R1 Concepts, they just have them listed on eBay.

03-20-2013, 04:46 PM	#1
WOT Bimmer Major 1227 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M2 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Columbus Ohio iTrader: (3)	Necessary to turn the rotors before installing new pads? Topic says it all... Is it necessary to turn the rotors before installing new pads? I have OEM pads now and will be replacing them soon (and hopefully eliminating the dust!) and I will be using my OEM rotors. The rotors are in really good shape (I mean REALLY good shape - less than 60k miles). I would really like to avoid pulling them off if I don't have to. Suggestions?
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03-21-2013, 08:26 AM	#3
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,953 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Go with Hawk pads. They are a better quality pad. With 60k if the rotors are original they may need to be replaced. If there is a big lip they are done. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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03-21-2013, 08:40 AM	#4
#Tee Major General 557 Rep 5,367 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Socal iTrader: (2)	If theres no obvious lip/grooves/hair line cracks on the rotor surface then you can reuse them. This was common practice at the dealership. __________________ You can follow my builds on IG: Tee212
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03-22-2013, 11:35 AM	#5
phillip@bmpdesign Private First Class 5 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tyler, TX iTrader: (0)	On most European cars, and new domestics, the rotors are made of a softer material that is designed to wear with the pads giving better braking and less brake fade over the entire life of the pad. Unless you have some very special eyes, there is no way to visually inspect the surface of a rotor unless it is badly warped. If you check the thickness with a micrometer and AFTER machining to a smooth surface it is still above the minimum recommended thickness (stamped on the lip of the rotor) then you do not have to replace them. 10/10 you should replace your rotors with pads on your first brake service. If you do not resurface your rotors, the uneven surface of your rotor will cause your pads to wear faster and may reduce the effectiveness of your brake system.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-22-2013, 11:49 AM	#6
Popsrcr Private 0 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: RVA iTrader: (0)	Pretty much everyone now says replace both. I don't know that you have to, but, unless you track the car a lot you probably aren't replacing pads a lot. Might as well replace both.
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03-22-2013, 12:40 PM	#7
WOT Bimmer Major 1227 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M2 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Columbus Ohio iTrader: (3)	Thanks for all the replies! I bought the car last summer with around 40k on it, and I think it had had some previous brake work; however, I don't know when and how much was done. I checked the rotors last night, and to my surprise there is a fairly large lip on the edges. I have to go into the dealer today to ask them about something else, so I am going to get their opinion on the rotors. Thanks all!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-22-2013, 01:02 PM	#8
GoRomeo Brigadier General 964 Rep 3,854 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Replace both if you can afford it. In terms of labor, its so easy to remove them. They only have one screw each.
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03-22-2013, 09:47 PM	#9
WOT Bimmer Major 1227 Rep 1,126 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW M2 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Columbus Ohio iTrader: (3)	I was at the dealer today and talked with the tech, and he definitely suggested new rotors, so that's what I'm going with. I'm thinking about getting these. Any thoughts? I don't think I need the R1 Concepts premium series, so I thought I would go with the Eline series. I am considering Cool Carbon or Akebono for brake pads, but I'm undecided as to which one to use. Any thoughts there?
	Appreciate 0 Quote