Is it Time to Replace the Rotors and Calipers?

WHY DO I NEED TO REPLACE ROTORS AND CALIPERS WITH MY BRAKES AND BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT?

Many of our customers assume that when the bring their vehicle in to Central Avenue Automotive for brake service and brake pad replacement that you can just resurface the rotors and install new pads. In some cases, this is what happens, but in other cases, you may have to replace the pads and the rotors. Other times, you may have to address the hydraulic system and replace the brake hoses and calipers. That’s why it’s important to have your brakes, rotors, brake pads, and calipers regularly inspected.

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Here are several reasons why you should replace the rotors and calipers during your vehicle’s brake and brake pad replacement:

1. On most new vehicles, the brake pads are made out of a ceramic material. These ceramic brake pads are almost as hard as the metal brake rotors, which wears them down at the same time as the brake pad.
2. Brake rotors are much smaller than they used to be thanks to the gas mileage goals set by the government for the vehicle manufacturers. The lighter a car is, the better gas mileage it gets, so the brake rotors are smaller. Smaller rotors have less material, which does not allow it to dissipate heat as quickly as a larger rotor would. The heat can warp a rotor much more quickly, which can rattle the steering wheel or make the car shake when the brakes are applied. This is very common in Western Washington due to the number of hills and mountains that we drive down, and that tends to make the brakes hotter. The hotter a brake rotor gets, the more likely it is to warp. The thinner a brake rotor gets, thanks to the brake pads wearing them down, the less the rotor is able to dissipate heat. Over time, warped rotors seem to be inevitable in today’s vehicles.
3. Calipers need to be replaced, too. Calipers are like big clamps that are used to apply pressure to the brake pad with the use of hydraulics. The brake pads grip the rotors and this action slows the vehicle down. However, this process creates a tremendous amount of heat — over 300 degrees Fahrenheit — and the brake calipers absorb this heat. As calipers heat up and cool down, over time there will be internal and external corrosion that builds up on the caliper, making them sticky. Sticking calipers can cause issues ranging from premature brake pad wear and tear to the vehicle pulling to the left or to the right when the brakes are applied.
4. Brake fluid leaks can also cause problems with the calipers. Brake fluid absorbs about 10% of moisture per year by volume in the wet Northwestern weather. The brake water boils at about 220 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that the water boils in the caliper, too, turning to steam and water, and back to steam again as they are being used. This constant exposure to moisture allows the inside of the calipers to rust, which can cause problems. This is another reason to replace the calipers at the same time we replace the the brake pads.

Of course, there are exceptions to the caliper and the rotor replacement rule — vehicle type, year, make and model — just ask your service adviser. The next time you bring your vehicle into Central Avenue Automotive for brake service, chances are very high that our service advisers will recommend replacing your brake pads, your rotors and calipers. Now you know why!

If you want to know more about your vehicle’s brake service requirements, contact Central Avenue Automotive with questions, request an appointment online, or give us a call at (253) 854-6762.