Posted on 02/17/2015 11:08:22 AM PST by LouAvul
My wife's Honda Accord has 33,000 miles on it. It's also got "traction control." I was told traction control utilizes the brakes non stop to control traction. The result is that brakes wear out sooner than older vehicles.
I was also told that the OEM rotors are manufactured in such a way as to be light as possible, meaning they're thinner, meaning they aren't designed to be "turned." Replacement rotors are only $40 each.
It's the first brake job on this car. Comments?
Replacement Rotors are generally not that much. Get those replaced too. You just have to check quality. The thicker the better as a rule. Find a real good (probably honda specalist) and discuss it with them. Also there are some forums which go into that stuff in greater detail than you ever want to hear.
I’ve never had that type of traction control on FWD, just a RWD Pickup but wear shouldn’t be a factor unless you are using the traction control i.e. having lots of fun.
How does under the hood compare to Click ‘n Clack?
I had a 91 Chevy Cavalier that had “organic” brake pads. I was lucky to get 25k out of them, the rotors lasted 50k. My Cobalt has the ceramic linings, the original set lasted 110k miles, still got the original rotors, though I have 170k on the car and they’re going to need to be replaced soon.
I routinely need them at 30-35,000 miles for 99% city driving.
“You need a new someone to drive your car.”
Wow, that’s so, so, what’s the word? Vacuous. Look it up, that is, if you can use google, and your donepezil has kicked in.
I hate warped brake rotors. It makes driving miserable.
So -- Replace them, $40 isn't that much.
I am assuming front since they wear out faster. All you have to do is measure the thickness of the disc to see if you can turn them. The neighborhood NAPA will turn discs for $15.
Why they would wear out so quickly is a mystery to me. But something you can do in 1/2 hour (R&R front brakes) is not something that would concern me doing every 3 years. Chances are the factory used incredibly cheap components. Get the lifetime pads and discs and they will probably last 10 years.
Brakes are for emergencies and those who can,t plan ahead.
If the brakes are smooth, the disks do not need to be turned or replaced.
IF they meet the minimum thickness!!!!
Most modern rotors don’t have a lot of “meat” for turning, in an effort to save weight and aid heat dissipation.
“Get the lifetime pads and discs and they will probably last 10 years.”
No...what you really are buying (in addition to somewhat better brake pads) is the “warranty”, and they are betting that you lose the receipt. I don’t, and the two cars in my garage are 60 years old combined.
Find a shop with a pro cut on car brake lathe. All major manufactures recommend this tool. It will permanently fix brake pulsation.
or just by oem rotors from dealer and forgo cheap crap.
Of all the cars I’ve owned, I never encountered brake issues like I did on a 97 Cutlass. I was doing brake jobs every 20 - 25k on that thing. Didn’t drive it any differently that other cars ... it just was hard on brakes.
Mitsubishi’s have the worst brakes ever.
This.
An important side note to traction control for those people who live where it snows:
Learn how to turn it off. If you need to slip and slide your way up a snowy road, the traction control will prevent this. You step on the gas, the car puts no power out to the wheels.
It is sensing the loss of traction as undesirable, applying brakes to spinning wheels and reducing engine output to prevent the slipping.
Sometimes you need to slip. Find the button. Know when to use it.
Either your wife rides the brakes..or the pads were very cheap..or your calipers are faulty.
I'm just a layman...but have changed rotors, calipers, drums, pads, shoes...enough for 3 men!! Ha!! Taught my oldest girl to change her own...at the time I gave her a Nissan Altima...that was the easiest brake changing car I ever worked on!!
GOOD LUCK!!
A good mechanic is like a good lawyer...Keep them if you find one.
“Sometimes you need to slip. Find the button. Know when to use it.”
Absolutely. Like when you’re stuck and need to rock to get out. Traction control will completely prevent you from rocking and getting momentum to get out.
#14 are you proposing eliminating his wife?.... : )
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