Can You Mix Brake Pads And Rotors?Find Out Now

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Can You Mix Brake Pads And Rotors, Yes, you can? It is established that any brake pad will effectively work with any rotor provided they are of the right sizes.

Table Of Contents

Is it okay to just replace brake pads?

If you should replace only the pads and not the rotors in your vehicle, it is quite possible that the pads may not properly contact the surfaces of the rotors which can reduce the vehicle’s braking ability.

Usually, any deep grooves that might have developed in worn-out rotors will act as some sort of hole punchers or shredders and may cause damage to the newly installed pads as they continuously press against the rotors. In essence, it is certainly not okay to just replace pads not with the rotors too.

Why are my brakes grinding after new pads and rotors?

Usually, whenever this happens, there is debris on either the brake pad or rotor or both of them. The debris may be something like dirt, dust or even some sort of rust. Commonly, mechanics do clean off any dirt or debris on the pads or rotors whenever they see them during pad or rotor replacements.

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How do I know if I need new rotors?

In most cases, there are signs to watch out for with regards to whether you need new rotors or not. Most common among them are:

(1). A vibrating steering wheel. If you should feel any pulsation in the brake pedal or any vibration in the steering wheel whenever you slow down the car, your rotors may be giving you a vital sign of complacence.

(2). You are also likely to experience or hear a kind of intermittent screeching noise in the vehicle.

(3). There may be a blue colouration too

(4). Finally, your rotors may show an abnormal or excessive wear over time

Why do my new brake pads squeak?

Brake rotors give certain definitive signs whenever they start developing any malfunctions in situations such as poor contact with the brake pads, warping or even when they are worn out. One of these signs is a squeaking or squealing noise. If you get this sign, hasten up to get them fixed for everyone’s good. (Read Also: Why Do My Rear Drum Brakes Over Adjust Find Out?)

What tools do I need to change brake pads and rotors?

You certainly need some basic tools to be able to change your brake pads and rotors. Most common among these tools are:

(1). A pair of mechanic’s hand gloves to protect your hands as well as to keep them clean too

(2). You also require a jack and its stands

(3). A lug wrench

(4). A C-clamp or a length of wood with which you will retract the piston

(5). A conventional wrench, preferably one with a socket that is also open-ended and easily adjustable too.

(6). A turkey baster for drawing out the brake fluid

(7). A plastic tie, bungee cord or piece of strong string

Do the brake pads and rotors have to be from the same manufacturers?

Not necessarily, since it is still fine if you have different brands. In any case, you need two pads for each rotor and so, you will have to carefully check how they are packaged.

If it says two pads for every box, you then need two boxes for the front as well as two more for the rear too. You may call the auto shop you want for the installation of the pads since some places do not readily agree to install any customer-provided parts due to liability reasons. A good approach, therefore, is to find out from them first before anything. (Read Also: How Far Can You Drive With A Stuck Caliper?)

How long do rotors and brake pads typically last?

Ordinarily, brake rotors last between thirty thousand to seventy thousand miles, though it is advised that you should bring your car regularly to a licensed mechanic for routine brake inspections and also pay attention to your vehicle in order to enable you to know when it will be due for any brake service. For brake pads, since various components make up the brake system, they may need to be changed as early as possible too.

In most cases, the brake pads also do not last any shorter than about thirty thousand miles too, just like the rotors. (Read Also: Can brake drums be powder coated? Find Out)

Can you put new brakes on worn rotors?

You can, but it is very inadvisable, for obvious reasons. There is actually no use putting new brake pads on worn-out or bad rotors.

For one, they will only get prematurely damaged, which will also compromise your braking efficiency too. It is therefore much better to replace both of them at the same time. Doing this will guarantee the safety of your car and also accord you an improved life span for your newly installed brake pads too.

Are solid or vented rotors better?

If it is a matter of choice between drill holes or vented rotors, the drill holes are certainly preferable because they give you improved braking power over the slots for all normal city or highway driving.

It is for this reason that high-end or top-of-the-line BMW cars, Porsches, Corvettes, and Mercedes Benz cars have drilled rotors rather than the slotted type. Though for track racing and other high-speed stops, the slotted rotors are still a more preferred choice.

What kind of rotors is best?

There are all sorts of rotors to select from on the market with every brand trying desperately to outperform its competitors. These rotors differ in their sizes, shapes, material compositions, and lots more. (Read Also: Will brake fluid freeze?)

Be that as it may, they are more similar than they are different. Regardless of everything, however, there are some highly recommended brake rotors judging from all the available results from customer reviews worldwide. Some of these trusted rotors are:

(1). Editor’s Pick: ACDelco Professional Brake Rotor.

(2). Bosch QuietCast Rotor.

(3). ACDelco Advantage Non-Coated Rotor.

(4). DuraGo Premium Electrophoretic Brake Rotor.

(5). DuraGo Vented Disc Brake Rotor.

(6). Centric Parts Premium Brake Rotor.

(7). Wagner Premium E-Coated Brake Rotor.

(8). Raybestos Advanced Technology Disc Brake Rotor.

There are a whole lot of other highly-efficient brake rotors, but these are some of the very best, and it is guaranteed that with them, you will certainly get the benefits of money well spent

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How much do new rotors cost?

On average, brake rotor replacements cost anywhere between two hundred to four hundred dollars for the parts only, and an additional one hundred and fifty dollars in the cost of labor. All in all, you may require between three hundred to five hundred dollars for a complete brake rotor replacement job.

Is it difficult to change brake pads and rotors?

No, it is not. In actual fact, changing brake or replacing brake pads and rotors is not as difficult as you may likely think. First and most importantly, the car needs to be raised in order to get access to both its brake pads and the rotors.

You should however make sure that the car is level when raising it, and also check the user manual for instructions on the proper jacking points as they are liable to differ from one vehicle to another. (Read Also: Do Brake Pads Expire? Find Out Now?)

What size socket do I need to change brakes?

Typically, you will need a torque wrench, a ratchet, ten-inch socket extension, twelve and fourteen-millimeter sockets, three-inch C-clamp, channel locks, wire, and finally, a high-temperature lube too.

In addition, a can of Brake Clean and a piece of Emery cloth are likely to also come in handy if the brake is dirty. However, note that the socket extension and the twelve-millimeter socket are both optional, but you are strongly advised to have them within reach if possible, just in case. (Read Also: How Long Do Brake Drums Last?)

How long does it take to change brake pads and rotors?

All parts of the brake system are subject to wear and tear continuously, and for this reason, they should be changed regularly. It does not take much time to replace damaged or worn-out brakes, but that still depends on the expertise of the mechanic as well as the vehicle make too. All in all, an expert mechanic should not take more than about thirty minutes to one hour for a complete brake pad and rotor replacements.

Can I change my brake pads and rotors myself?

Yes, you can if it’s your line of work or if you are experienced in the matter, provided you have all the necessary tools handy.

In addition, you should know a little bit of information concerning how it can be done successfully and satisfactorily. The user manual of the vehicle will most likely provide you with all the information you need in this endeavor. (Read Also: Are Caliper Covers Bad?)

How do I know when I need new rotors?

It is very easy to reliably tell when your brake pads or rotors need any replacements. Usually, certain signs will give you a good hint. Some of these vital signs are: if you feel any vibrations in the brake pedal or even the steering wheel after pressing it. These vibrations are mostly caused by pad deposit from brake materials that have collected on the surface of the rotors and created the basis for these vibrations

Is it normal for brakes to make noise after replacement?

Yes, in some instances, it is. Notably, new brake pads are typically abrasive and are sometimes also coated with protective substances that can elicit such noise. However, after use for a reasonable length of time. during which some degree of wear has taken place, the noise will gradually abate completely. This noise that is produced by most ( if not all ) new brakes is commonly referred to as the ‘ bedding process’. It is only temporary and will definitely go away eventually, so there is no cause to fret over it.

How do I know the size of the rotors I need?

To avoid any unnecessary mistakes in choosing the correct size of brake rotors, you may call your local OEM dealer and enquire about the original rotor sizes or any other OEM rotor or pad component numbers based on your vehicle’s VIN number.

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is referenced in your own papers. The dealers may not necessarily tell you the rotor sizes, but they are certain to give you the genuine part numbers for your vehicle, whatever its make or model.

Are brake pads and rotors universal?

No, they are certainly not. For one thing, there are all sorts of brake pads and rotors on the market for any model or make of car or truck. These pads vary in all aspects like their shapes, sizes, uses, and in fact, every other property, so they can’t be universal.

Can You Mix Brake Pads And Rotors – Conclusion

Simply put, brakes operate by bringing enormous pressure to bear on fast-rotating vehicle wheels no matter their weight or size. This obviously translates into a lot of friction which will undeniably generate immense heat as well.

For this reason, all components of the brake system of any vehicle undergo immense and unimaginable wear and tear at all times. Essentially, therefore, through routine checks, you can identify any developing problem before it gets any worse. Luckily, most of the things you need to do are simple to execute with little or no experience in some cases, but you definitely require the necessary tools.

Your user manual is one place or source from which you can always glean information on most things about your vehicle. Finally, for obvious and very cogent reasons, do not treat lightly any issues related to the brakes of your vehicle. If for nothing, your life as well as the lives of countless others may ultimately depend on you and your brake! See?