2000 Mustang - I need new brake pads, but do I need new or "turned" rotors as well?

1025 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by huberoy123, Dec 16, 2012

Lobster_Ears

Discussion Starter · Nov 29, 2012

2000 Mustang - I need new brake pads, but do I need new or "turned" rotors as well?

Ok, lets start this off by admitting that I am in no way car savvy. I turn the key, press the pedal and go. That's my absolute knowledge of cars, so I really need some help.

According to Firestone I need new front and rear brake pads, but especially rear. (My fronts are 3mm and rears are 1mm). This will cost me $340. The thing is, the paper they gave me says the rotors can only be checked when the new brake pads are installed.

Now here's the thing. My friend's retired grandpa was a car mechanic and he still handles all the maintenance on my friends car. I could spend about $100 on the pads and he will install them for me, but he said if it needs new or turned rotors I need to take it to the shop.

Will it be safe to just buy the brake pads and let him install them? I don't have any squealing or grinding issues so is it really vital that I get the shop to turn my rotors? There is a $250 difference in price so I really don't want to throw money out the window by going to the shop, but I also don't want to do it wrong.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

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Dubwhat

· #2 · Nov 29, 2012

So rotors, depending on the condition, can be turned. Turning meaning they put them on a lathe and make them flat again by shaving off a certain amount of surface.

A rotor can only be turned so many times in spec. You can take your rotors, once off the car, to most parts stores and they will turn them for you. But they will ONLY turn them, if they are thick enough to stay in spec.

It is a good idea to have rotors turned. Often, I won't even do that. If you pull the tire off, feel the rotor's surface (running your finger over it). If it's flat and smooth (no bumps) then I will just throw a new set of pads on and call it good. If it feels like a mountain range, then you need new rotors or have them turned. The only thing you can't really feel for at that point, is if the rotor is warped.

Obviously, if you can't get them turned, then you need to get new rotors.

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huberoy123

· #3 · Nov 29, 2012

I recommend getting more estimates. The price quoted appears to be high just for pad replacement.

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Dubwhat

· #4 · Nov 29, 2012

1.5 hours per end, at 75$ an hour is 225$ plus parts and machine work. 340$ doesn't sound THAT bad for a normal situation.

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Lobster_Ears

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 30, 2012

huberoy123 said:
I recommend getting more estimates. The price quoted appears to be high just for pad replacement.

I'm pretty sure the price includes turning the rotors. It's still not as high as the place my mom recommended. Her "family" mechanic would've cost me about $450 and that includes turning the rotors. She swears by him though, but that price seems steep.

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huberoy123

· #6 · Dec 16, 2012

Brake work.

Dubwhat said:
1.5 hours per end, at 75$ an hour is 225$ plus parts and machine work. 340$ doesn't sound THAT bad for a normal situation.

Not a bad price if you don't mind paying the rates you quoted. I replaced all 4 rotors and upgraded the pads to ceramic for less than $250. After doing my research and watching mechanics install rotors and pads on youtube, I refused to pay anywhere near $75 shop rates. Had the same experience with upper strut mounts. Shops were quoting $500 plus alignment. I did it myself for around $100.

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