Rotors vs pads?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, CO
Rotors vs pads?
Most of my driving, at least 85% is highway miles. I have used NAPA front pads, the premium lifetime warranty pads and generally go about 65,000-70,000 miles before the need to replace. The last set on my Ranger which I also replaced with new rotors are down to the rivets in 38,000 miles. I told the counter person and he looked at my invoice and said he knew at least part of the problem. He said someone tried to save me some money and sold me the cheap rotors made in China which he said are an 80-20 propostion. He said 80% if the time you are fine, 20% of the time the rotors rapidly wear out the pads. Anyone have this experience or opinion? A pro mechanic e-mailed me and said to always buy pads from Ford.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Alaska
I have always felt that the pads are what should wear the most, if you use a premium metallic pad, the pads will last many miles but rotors will show significant wear, I have seen wornout rotors in as little as two pad cycles.
On the other hand, if you use a softer non-metallic pad, the pads may only last 20/30k but the rotors will last the life of the car, as a rule, pads are cheaper than rotors.
The average driver will not notice a significant difference in performance with pad composition.
I know this goes against policy in many circumstances, but, you have a choice, over 100k you can buy 4 sets of brake pads or 2 sets of pads and 1 pair of rotors.
NOTE: this has been my experience, but still is only my opinion.
On the other hand, if you use a softer non-metallic pad, the pads may only last 20/30k but the rotors will last the life of the car, as a rule, pads are cheaper than rotors.
The average driver will not notice a significant difference in performance with pad composition.
I know this goes against policy in many circumstances, but, you have a choice, over 100k you can buy 4 sets of brake pads or 2 sets of pads and 1 pair of rotors.
NOTE: this has been my experience, but still is only my opinion.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Yes, if the rotor has a slight warp or run-out on it (.003?) it will wear out pads rapidly. Sometimes turning helps, sometimes it does not. Sometimes the drums are even worse from China. I try to get drums from Canada that still are tooled with the AMC numbers on them.
