Re: Pads/rotors

Lanny Chambers <lanny@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

> In article <hrWdnTPyiIv9o77VnZ2dnUVZ_gydnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
>  "miker" <miker4butnospamok@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> 
> > Is the dealer just adding some gravy by selling me rotors too?
> 
> Bingo. My rotors are no longer pristine at 142k miles, but I've no 
> intention of replacing them when I do pads this summer.

Since they stopped using asbestos in the friction material used in brake
pads, the pads are now normally 'harder' than the cast iron discs
(rotors) themselves so disc wear is much more common than it used to be.
This is particularly evident in smaller cars over here in the UK where
the discs are relatively thin to keep the weight down. The later model
Ford Fiestas (a small hatchback) are well known for consuming a set of
discs for every 2 sets of pads. 

My 70K miles Eunos had new discs at the front a year or so before I
bought it in November last year. The rear discs are a bit scored, so
I'll probably replace them (and the pads) before the next MoT test
(annual safety check). 

Ask the dealer whether he's measured the thickness of the discs and
whether they are thinner than the manufacturer's tolerances. 

Replacement discs are fairly cheap if you get pattern ones (probably
made in the same factory as the Mazda originals).
-- 
Rob - Shropshire
So many cats,
So few recipes...