OK, so as my car comes close to its second birthday and 30k on the clock, I am wondering how long before I need to do the brakes. Also, in general, do you have to replace the rotors when the brakes are done, or can you get away with using the old rotors?
What has been the general experience here for brake longevity?

 

I generally do my brake pads when necessary, turn the wheel and you can see the front calipers and how much break pad is left. Also I tend to replace my brake fluid every 60,000km or every 3 years.

You can keep the old rotors but it might be wise to invest in performance slotted or drilled rotors. And maybe new brake pads. I personally couldn't take how much brake I had to apply to bring our 4000lbs TL's to a stop.

 

It really depends. I pulled 45k out of my first brakes all the way around. The pads were still at 5/32..but the rotors were beyond warped. However, they had been shaved at 22k and I am the second owner. Bought the car at 22k. I would second the rotor change, absolutely.

 

Man, I feel like a broken record on this topic so I will be brief.
The most important thing (mho) is to do some research into how the disc brake system is designed and the functionality of each component. If you understand the parts and how they work you can avoid a lot of wasted money on brake jobs.
The rotors can easily last the lifetime of the car IFF the system is maintained regularly. The pads can last a very long (50,000 km) time IFF the system is maintained regularly. Unfortunately, that's not how most drivers approach it. Most people do not have any maintenance done, they just use the brake parts for a year or two or three until they start to hear weird noises or feel strange sensations in the brake pedal or the car starts to pull to one side and steers unpredictably. By that point the pads are stuck and worn out and exhibit metal to metal contact, the rotors are scored and rusted onto the hubs, and you're looking at a $1,000 brake job. Duh.


Here's my most recent results:
My wife's 94 Camry. 300,000 plus km on original rotors.
My wife's current 2002 Camry. Over 204,000 km, still on original rotors. No issues.
My '86 Mazda pickup. Over 300,000 km on original rotors. No issues.
My '99 Integra. Over 225,000 km on original rotors. Two sets of brake pads over 13 years.
My current '10 TL has 75,000 km. Original rotors look like new. Original front pads still on the car. Rear pads changed when I bought the car used because they were sized and destroyed by rust.
I maintain my brakes at least once a year. We live in a region where they use tonnes of salt and sand on the roads in the winter. Our vehicles are driven all year round.
Let me know if you want to know how to service your brakes and save yourself thousands of dollars.

 

if you want your brake pads to last longer.. dont ride on them when trying to come at a stop.. if you have your foot on the brake while your 100ft away from your stopping point, then you are riding your brakes.

im at 42k and i still have about 50% left on my pads.. but then i usually tend to engine brake by downshifting.. or i pulsate my brakes when i want to stop..

 

I was of the same camp and one of my pet peeves is people braking way too early. Not to mention my dad used to be an old school mechanic who told me the same when I was a kid learning to drive. Then I was hit with the following from another forum and it seems to make sense. Altho I will say I am no physicist and am not sure if the statement is true or not but it did make me think twice.

"Heat is what degrades the brake material faster and causes wear. The person applying lighter pressure will give more opportunity for heat dissipation and the braking will occur at a more constant and sustained temperature. The person who applies the brakes rapidly, will build up the heat much faster with no opportunity for dissipation which will increase wear."

 

very impressive, and I most definitely do want to know how to service my brakes and save thousands of dollars.

 

sure if you are making your car jerk back and forth with your brakes like a maniac.. im sure you are well aware that riding your brakes is the number one cause of brake pads being changed so often.. also it takes a lot of heat to make your brake pads wear down. under normal driving conditions it is ok to pulsate your brakes as you slow down, just dont stomp on your brakes like your about to rear end someone

 

Agree 100 percent. I have never had to replace rotors on a car I've owned. I had my 2G Legend Coupe for 18 years. Our son's Accord has 186K on it with original rotors.

 

I will post some tips at some point and describe how to do disc brake maintenance. I am not talking about replacing old parts with new. I am talking about servicing the pads and rotors on a regular basis so they last a long time and function properly throughout. What I do is remove the pads and clean and lubricate everything once a year. I remove and service the rotors every two years. The main reason that pads wear out and rotors get ruined is because the pads get seized in the holders (torque plate) or the calipers get stuck on the pins. The system is called a floating caliper design. The calipers move laterally and the pads move in and out when the brakes are applied then released. At least they are supposed to. It is very common that brand new pads do not fit properly in their holders. If they are not installed properly by a knowledgeable person they will seize and wear out in short order. It is very common for people to replace pads with new but if the calipers are stuck on the pins they will not function correctly. Stuck calipers is a very commonly overlooked defect. More later...

 

Of course riding the brakes will cause premature wear.
My favourite is watching people riding the brakes going uphill!

 

How do you service your rotors and how do you install your pads correctly...?
Thanks.

 

Anything to do with silicone paste and anti seize?

 

Yea I'm interested..I just got a 2012 awd advance, and need to educate myself on these brakes

 

Going to take a shot in the dark here but I am thinking he may be referring to this...

 

Good thread.

Jim_c, any advice on my brakes? I'm at 46k miles. To be honest no brake service done on pads/rotors other than changing brake fluid per manual.

 

I started another thread but I need to resize my pics first.
Will work on that very soon.