Rotors

[proscroby]

Is resurfacing the rotors on a 98 GP recommended or is it advisable to change both pads and rotors. I was told that the front rotors must be changed so is this also true for the rear? I wish to change the rear on my GP. Is this a difficult job?

[00GTP4ME]

IMO, resurfacing your rotors really depends on how much meat they have left on them. If they don't have much left before they fall below the limit (sry I don't have the specs handy), just get new ones. If you don't have calipers on you, take your rotors in to a Napa, Checker, or Autozone (or just a parts store) and they'll measure them for you and tell you how much thickness they have before they're done.
Changing the brakes on these cars is totally a DIY job - especially if you're only doing the rears - those are cake.

I've resurfaced my rotors on this car once because I was driving through the canyon and they got really hot and warped, but I knew they still have plenty of life left in them - so it was worth it knowing they only got warped from "not normal" driving conditions.

Others on here may have better opinions, but because 80% of your braking is done on the front wheels, I think replacing the rear rotors just because you need to replace the fronts is a bunch of crap. Technically, your rear brakes should last almost five times longer than your fronts (ok, maybe not quite that long, but you get the idea)! However, you DO always want to change both sides of your brakes if any one side needs replacing (ie right vs. left / driver vs. passenger).

While you're in there, make sure you grab some caliper pin lube - everytime I've worked on my brakes, they've always needed it.

Good luck and I think you'll be pleased with how easy a job it is - the hardest part is jacking up your car and taking the tire off!

[richtazz]

Originally Posted by 00GTP4ME

Others on here may have better opinions, but because 80% of your braking is done on the front wheels, I think replacing the rear rotors just because you need to replace the fronts is a bunch of crap. Technically, your rear brakes should last almost five times longer than your fronts (ok, maybe not quite that long, but you get the idea)! However, you DO always want to change both sides of your brakes if any one side needs replacing (ie right vs. left / driver vs. passenger).

In the old days of disc/drum non-abs brakes, this was true (maybe not 5x, but 2x was very common). With today's cars, the fronts and rears wear much more evenly (my 99 GP wears brakes so evenly it's scary). The rear rotors are pretty thin even when new, so the chance to turn them is slim. Replacement rotors are pretty cheap (maybe even cheaper than turning your old ones). I agree that someone telling you to replace all 4 corners just because the fronts are down is a bunch of hooey but if your car is like mine the fronts and rears wear down almost identically, so you may actually need both. Also (as 00GTP4ME stated) never replace only one side when doing brakes, always replace brakes per axle set.