Thread: Disc rotors

I'm on all original at 39000km . The pads look good for another 15000 or
more . Discs are fine . No towing and few hills . I use the gears alot .
Discs usually last 2 sets of pads on D3 18" ers......

On the Commodore, I didn't replace my rotors until well over 200,000km. Never machined. I have heard stories of 20,000km between machining.
On the hybrid ('81 RRC chassis), I have just had them replaced. I have driven it over 200,000km but I don't know the history of the previous 200,000km.
It depends a lot on the way you drive. I know people who are constantly heavy on brakes but I rarely use mine preferring to let the engine slow down the car and then applying the brakes at a much slower speed.
With the warping, they probably got too hot at some stage. Are the discs vented?

The discs aren't vented . The system is designed to use
2 sets of pads for one set of discs . Alot of Yanks went for harder
pads , thinking more mileage , but they just eat the discs.
Lower wear rate systems don't give the same high-brake effect.
Remember when discs lasted forever , and pads for years .......
stopping distance was terrible !

Yes, discs are considered a consumable nowdays.
I'm getting about three sets of pads per disc. The pads are lasting around 60,000 to 80,000km. I do a lot of country miles.

Thanks guys

I thourght I would have gotten around 80 to 100k out of a set, I have warped a set on my defender by driving through deep water and the breaks were to hot, but this was not the case , just road some sand use and a little lite towing. Never mind its only money
Since posting this question the dealer has rang to tell me the trans fluid is a bit discoloured and smelly this was only changed three services ago. BUGGER.
Wouldnt drive anything else tho

Thanks again for the input

Originally Posted by connock

the trans fluid is a bit discoloured and smelly this was only changed three services ago.

What on Earth is going on with your maintenance ?

Originally Posted by Neil P

The discs aren't vented . The system is designed to use
2 sets of pads for one set of discs . Alot of Yanks went for harder
pads , thinking more mileage , but they just eat the discs.
Lower wear rate systems don't give the same high-brake effect.
Remember when discs lasted forever , and pads for years .......
stopping distance was terrible !

Once the asbestos was dropped from the pad compounds and various levels of metal included, the wear rates climbed dramatically. A good proportion of the dust seen on modern wheel rims is not the pads, it is from the rotor. A side effect of all this, is that brake rotors are now a disposable component, and have come down dramatically in price.

There are some pads using new technology out there. Do some comparisons, and read the service book before buying a new car. Some new vehicles are listed to have rotors and pads replaced at 40000klms. A rude shock, as they are not a warranty item.

Part of the modern world we now have to live with.

I am only a couple of thousand off my 48K service. Wonder if mine need replacing?
Shall let you know.
Cheers, Craig