Do You Have to Replace Rotors When Replacing Brake Pads?

Choosing the right brake service for your car can be overwhelming-and that’s before you consider the price! When you are considering having your brakes serviced, there several questions you should ask:

• When you replace the brake pads, do you need to change your rotors as well? What’s the difference between resurfacing and replacing your rotors?
• Do you have to get both axles done at the same time?
• Why can’t you go just a little bit longer before getting the brakes replaced?

We’ll discuss the different options and find out what’s most suitable for your vehicle. 

First things first – Safety. The most important consideration before discussing anything else is your and others safety on the road. If you can’t stop or slow down when you need to, you put yourself and others at severe risk. Therefore, it is never a good idea to wait until your brake system needs to be repaired or replaced.

When Do I Need New Brakes?

When it comes to car maintenance items, services such as oil changes and tire rotations are fairly straightforward to determine when they should be performed. Brake repair, however, is a bit tricky since there isn’t a standard mileage for service.

Industry experts recommend that you replace your brakes every 20,000–60,000 miles. That’s a big gap! So how are you supposed to know when your brakes need to be replaced and what will be the brake pad and rotor replacement costs?

Two of the most common signs your vehicle needs brake work are squealing noises and steering wheel vibrations. You should also look out for grinding sounds, a spongy brake pedal, pulling to one side when braking, and longer stopping distances.

What Are the Brake Pad and Rotor Replacement Costs?

Depending on the type, make and model of your car, you can generally expect to pay between $500-$1200 for brake pads and rotors, including labor. However, you should always get an estimate from a reputable auto repair shop to get an accurate estimate. It’s important to get your brakes checked promptly if you notice any signs of wear. It will save you from unnecessary replacement costs and ensure your safety on the road.

Understanding these signs can help you assess the condition of your brakes and estimate the brake pad and rotor replacement costs that might be involved.

Read: How Do I Know When I Need New Brakes?

Once you know your brakes need attention, it’s time to get a brake inspection and figure out which brake parts need to be replaced.

Types of Brake Services

For most brake systems, there are three main brake replacement options. We’ll walk you through the differences between the three and why you would choose one over another.

1. Brake Pad Replacement

It is common for customers to come across an advertisement that offers an extremely cheap brake service when comparing brake pricing and services. While this might seem like a lucky find, proceed with caution. There is a possibility that the auto repair shop is performing what the automotive industry calls “pad slaps.” Performing a pad slap is not the same as performing a complete brake job and may not be the best option in the long run.

The service involves replacing brake pads and reusing the old brake hardware and brake rotors (brake discs). A stand-alone replacement of a brake pad is the bare minimum brake service available, and it’s not something we recommend or perform at Virginia Tire & Auto.

Brake pads and rotors work together to bring your vehicle to a halt. As the rotors age, they can develop a hardened surface known as “glaze” along with distinctive wear patterns. Installing new pads on old rotors that don’t match can lead to brake noises, vibrations, and early deterioration of the new pads, which usually requires a return trip to the shop.

At Virginia Tire & Auto, we don’t recommend just getting the brake pads replaced. It’s our goal to get you back on the road safely, and putting a Band-Aid or quick fix on your brakes isn’t the solution.

2. Brake Pad Replacement & Rotor Resurfacing

Resurfacing the brake rotors and replacing the brake pads are middle-of-the-road brake replacement options.

Resurfacing (also called “turning “or “machining”) involves removing a thin, microscopic layer from the front and rear surfaces of your rotors. As a result, the brake pads are pressed against a nice, smooth surface.

A resurfacing job eliminates any grooves, pits, or hotspots that may cause problems in the future. Additionally, it allows the brake pads to wear evenly and optimally.

Keep in mind, however, that resurfacing decreases the thickness of the rotors. Heat builds up faster and wears down faster on thinner rotors, resulting in warped rotors, which is something we definitely do not want. In most cases, rotors can only be resurfaced once before they need to be replaced.

Ultimately, resurfacing rotors when you install new brake pads is a middle price point and a good compromise if you don’t want to spend more money on new rotors.

3. Brake Pad Replacement & Rotor Replacement

The most complete brake service includes fully replacing brake pads and rotors, which gives you better stopping power and more fade resistance.

Like brake pads, brake rotors wear out over time. Brake rotors must meet a certain thickness requirement to be considered safe. If they are thinner than the manufacturer’s recommended thickness, then you need to replace your brake rotors immediately.

Some vehicles always require new pads and rotors due to the warped rotors and therefore cannot be resurfaced. In fact, 99% of German cars are this way. The rotors on German cars are made from a softer metal, so by the time their pads wear down, the warped rotors are already below what we call the “discard thickness.” This means that the rotor has already reached the minimum acceptable thickness and must be fully replaced.

However, if you’re on a tight budget, as long as your brake rotors are above the minimum recommended level and the vehicle manufacturer does not require that the rotors be replaced when new brake pads are installed, resurfacing the rotors might be an acceptable approach.

But for optimum brake performance and safety, always choose to replace your brake rotors when replacing your brake pads.

Read: How Long Do Brake Rotors Last?

Need a Brake Replacement?

Bring your vehicle to Virginia Tire & Auto for all your brake repair and replacement needs. We’ll inspect your brakes and help you figure out what brake service is best for your car—and your budget! Schedule a visit at one of our convenient locations today!