How long does oem rotors last?

[jmp0126]

Hey TNers,

I have a 95 Camry v6 with 67,000. I'll be replacing all brake pads this coming weekend. How long does the rotors last? As far as I know it has never been turned. I was thinking of putting on Power Slots rotors but if the oem rotors are still good I'll probably leave it alone.
Thanks for all your advise.

[Klutch]

Originally Posted by jmp0126

Hey TNers,

I have a 95 Camry v6 with 67,000. I'll be replacing all brake pads this coming weekend. How long does the rotors last? As far as I know it has never been turned. I was thinking of putting on Power Slots rotors but if the oem rotors are still good I'll probably leave it alone.
Thanks for all your advise.

I've seen them last over 100K, it completely depends on both the driver and the driving, tough to say really.

[V6LE_CAMRY]

Arent rotors suppose to last almost the cars life time unless you scatch them from not replacing the brakes on time?

[Dave's]

If you don't have the rotors turned and never run the pads to metal, or hit water with the rotors really hot, the rotors can last almost forever. If you have them turned at each pad change then they don't last too long usually. In fact, my luck has been every time I let them turn the rotors, I have to replace them soon after because I can't stand the pedal vibration while braking. You may be told the rotors need to be turned each time and even the new ones before installing them but I don't do it. I think it may even work out better with ABS as it compensates for any slight variance in surface condition. (The whole reason for turning them is to provide a perfectly smooth surface so your car brakes without pulling to one side, something ABS is supposed to do automatically.) Anyway, that's my opinion and if you don't like it, I've got more!

[marc780]

WARNING _Overlong post ahead
Rotors need to be very smooth to work right. In my experience they are good for 2 or at most 3 pad changes. The pads grind them away in time, there's no stopping that - but the criterion is how do they look? and how do they drive and stop?

If the rotors still look good, don't just slap in a new set of pads - you should sand the rotor with some fine emery cloth, front and back. Sand back and forth, not round and round - you want to break the "glaze" caused by the old pads. Since we are not refinishing furniture here, you only have to sand enough so the old scratches disappear, and this should only take about 30 seconds to do one side; 1 or 2 passes with the emery cloth, all the way around should do it. If this doesnt clean the rotors up almost like new, consider replacing them.
Then clean them rotors really well with brake cleaner until they are so clean a paper towel wiped on the rotor stays white, and you are done with that and can put your new pads in.

On many cars you can see a piece of the rotor through the wheel holes, and this can actually tell you alot. Like i said, good ones are smooth, so look for a wavy appearing surface, chips, grooves, evidence of heat discoloration (blue/black patches). A good reason to rotate your own tires (with impact wrench hopefully) is so you can inspect your brakes at the same time.
Whenever the wheels are off, feel for a ridge at the outside edge of the rotor - this is caused by the pads wearing down the surface; and the ridge is a high spot in the metal where the pads do not touch. So if there's a ridge or any of the other wear conditions, turn the rotor or replace it.

Turning the rotor is often not practical for two reasons: there may not be enough good metal left to cut. And cut rotors are more prone to warp than uncut ditto. Because there's not as much metal to act as a heat sink; so if you turn your rotors you may save a few bucks but you may wind up changing them soon after. You will know the rotors are warped if the steering wheel shudders in your hands as you brake to a stop.

Fortunately rotors dont need to be changed often and when they do, they are much cheaper than they used to be.

[TheWhiteKnight]

One thing not to over look is that 90% of brake pads today are non-asbestos compound, so therefore the newer compounds have a high metal content which wears the rotors down over a few pad changes.

Seeing rotors are about $35AUD a side these days (even slotted DBA rotors are only $69AUD each) it would be better to just get new ones as having the existing ones machined (if grooved from worn pads) costs nearly as much as replacement ones just buy new ones (only if great braking is important to you that is).


Cheerz Folks.

[retiredat44]

Even thought I have a Corolla the front brakes and rotors wear out way to fast. They are way too small for the car. But, I get new Rotors at the auto parts store for $20.00 each new. Brake pads, I can get a premium quality brake pad set for $35.00. But maybe you pay more where you live.

[Tom 2000]

I had the front brake pads changed and the rotors turned at 50K miles on my Camry. I'm at 65K miles now and it's still just fine.

[Grayguy]

I have stock rotors at 180k miles. They seem to be working fine.

[Hajoca]

Measure the rotor's thickness at several (take 10) spots fand see if they are consistent, this checks for high spots.
Then compare that to the min thickness stamped on the rotor.

To check for warpage, take the rotor off and place a straight edge on the rotor face, front and back.

[solidg]

mine lasted 88,000 miles. I had them turned at 44k then replaced at 88k. Now I have ceramic brake pads. Ceramic should make the rotors last longer.

2000 toyota camry le v6