Specs=New rotors on 1st brake job???

[quote:5ef457342a="JCGram"]
Bought truck new 2006 as left-over with 0 miles on it.
Took it in for inspection & was told brakes are 85% worn and I would need new rotors too. WHAT???

At 33,000 and being a truck, I don't think thats too bad. Seen better and worse, but that's about right.
I would put rotors on.



Questions:
1. What is the deal with the "spec" issue? How can I need new rotors?

As far as the spec, it is stamped on the rotor for minimum thickness. The rotor meat has been reduced substantially over the last decade or so in an effort to meet federal mandates for fuel economy. the lighter the vehicle, the better the economy. This was an area that has reduced the life of a rotor. I have seen folks just slam pads on the old rotors. I don't and I won't. One for liability reasons as lawyers can make the innocent pay dearly for negligence.

Lawyer: Mr. Mechanic, would you just put pads on your vehicle knowing the rotors were not truley flat?
Mechanic: No, sir I would not.
Lawyer: And knowing this, you did this on Mr. Jones vehicle?
Mechanic: Yes I did, he asked me to do this, even though I explained to him that the braking distance would not be what it should. But the accident had nothing to do with the brakes.
Lawyer: Aren't you the professional?
Judge: Off with his head!

Anyways, the rotor will not be truley flat, and the pads will be. Thus you will not get complete pad to rotor contact. If one side has more than the other there is potential for a pull, your braking distance is reduced. Now if you machine them, your making them thinner. In the unlikley event, they still meet spec., the potential for warpage increases dramatically as they can't handle the heat. Especially like on your big boy.


2. What pads do you guys recommend? I was going to try EBC.

I like Bendix. There are many quality brands however. I like Wearever Rotors.


3. If rotors are smooth, do I REALLY need new rotors? Smooth, but not flat.

Would they fail a state inspection or something?

Don't confuse State inspection, Safety or common sense to mean the same thing. Here in NY you can have ball joints ready to fall out and pass, but you better have a fuel restrictor on your tank filler neck! If the rotor is scored bad enough or heavily pitted or pulsates bad enough, we would fail you. You can call 2 different State DMV inspectors and get 2 different answers. We use the best logic we can in the gray areas of the rules. It sounds like yours should pass. The pads have to be metal to metal to fail in NY State. OR cracked, delaminated or broken.

I mean we're talking "Specs" not whether they work or not. Sound more like a liabiltiy issue or a money maker for shady mechanics.

That is YES to both.

Thanks alot for the help guys!!!![/quote:5ef457342a]

Your welcome.