rotors

[PlayStation3]

i have like 2 mm left on my front pads

[Onimacus]

change them =)

[PlayStation3]

how long will 2mm last me though? on normal braking cause i get paid every 2 week not every week and my bank only says 126 cause of i just got new tires like 2 checks ago (i tend to go by checks when dealing with my bank account)

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

hi, i am about to get new brakes put on my sl2 and i was wondering what where some signs of bad rotors.

primary sign of bad rotors - thickness, measure and compare to spec.

other factiors resulting in replacement or cutting - warped, pitting, scored, swerl pattern, hot spots

for drum brakes i always recommond replacing the hardware(springs and such) because 1- its cheap, 2- the old hardware needs to come off to change the shoes anyway, 3- cover your butt

also check the brake fuild, i personially had better braking after the fuild change then the rotor/pads, but mine was very bad. DOT 4 is a compatible high temp upgrade for DOT 3

Originally Posted by sickcallawayc12

I believe how it works is that the pads/shoes wear to a certain point and once that point is reached, dealers/mechanics recommend that they should be replaced. they still have some life left, they just don't wanna be responsible when you ignore this and you wear the pads down all the way to the grinding of metal as Tacuvito described (i've done this in all the cars i've owned).

yes... you want to replace them BEFORE they fail

Originally Posted by Onimacus

Your front rotors/pads do aroun 85%-90% of the stopping I believe.

i don't know if its that much, i would guess closer to 65-75%, but yes the front do do more of the work

Originally Posted by wrparks

Maybe the pads were not being put on right or needed some adjustment and were rubbing while driving..

disc brakes are not adjustible, and the pads are design to be in constint contact with the rotor.

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

how long will 2mm last me though? on normal braking cause i get paid every 2 week not every week and my bank only says 126 cause of i just got new tires like 2 checks ago (i tend to go by checks when dealing with my bank account)

not long enought,get a loan if you need to. if your pads are allow to get worse they can damage other parts of your braking system (rotors, calipers)

[PlayStation3]

are saturns brake set up any different from any other type of car? cause my dad says he knows to do the front but books a million and all the auto parts store do not have a haynes book on any of the s series

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

well i do have a slight problem with going 80 and then realizing that there is a stop light about two hundred yards a way.

Here's a solution: SLOW DOWN AND PAY ATTENTION. Why the hell are you doing 80 anywhere, let alone a surface street with traffic lights? Slow down before you kill someone.

[PlayStation3]

i went 80 i think once that was guess i was racing my manger home in his f 250 no body won though becuase there was a cop up a head

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by sierrap615

yes... you want to replace them BEFORE they fail

It's a bad habit i'm trying to kick. my other cars sucked anyway.

[Onimacus]

Originally Posted by Cat Fuzz

Why the hell are you doing 80 anywhere.

80 is a pretty common speed on the freeway.

[PlayStation3]

na the spend limit was 45 but it does run parellel to a freeway which is 75 mph

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

na the spend limit was 45 but it does run parellel to a freeway which is 75 mph

I'd probably do 80 every sunday then

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Onimacus

80 is a pretty common speed on the freeway.

Not around here.

[PlayStation3]

Originally Posted by sickcallawayc12

I'd probably do 80 every sunday then

nice

[wrparks]

Originally Posted by sierrap615

disc brakes are not adjustible, and the pads are design to be in constint contact with the rotor.

Oh, sorry, I was talking about maybe my front brakes were not right so they were wearing out too fast, not the drums.

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

are saturns brake set up any different from any other type of car? cause my dad says he knows to do the front but books a million and all the auto parts store do not have a haynes book on any of the s series

nope, its a simple set-up, just make sure the brake line is looped the right way where its bolted to the fender, i think looped to the rear is proper way, loop it the wrong way and it will bolt up, but will rub and possiblely break with going down the road.

worst brake job i think i ever done was on a nissan pathfinder, but i can't say i like the caliper bolts on GM W-bodys ether.