How do you know if you only need brake pads?

I need to get the brakes done on my car. I always feel like I get ripped off when I go to repair shops, so I was wondering, before I take it in there, is there a way for me to know if its just the pads I need or will I need new rotors and all that? I know for sure I need new brake pads, but there is no grinding noise yet or any squeaking. Help??How do you know if you only need brake pads?The only correct way to know if you need new rotors is to use a micrometer to measure the old rotors to see if they are within tolerance. This puts the average person at the mercy of the brake shop. However, I replace my own pads and visually inspect the rotors for wear and defects. If the rotors look good, no grooves and less than 75000 miles on them, I simply deglaze them with emery cloth. Replacing your own pads is easy if you are a little bit mechanically inclined. A repair manual will help.How do you know if you only need brake pads?You will not know unless you pull the wheels and do a visual on the rotors. It they are scored, then at least they need turned. Some shops can do this on the car, others have to take them off. Some times the rotors get to thin to turn, or are supplied at to close of a minimum thickness for turning. Even then it is a trade off of labor for parts as the labor costs for machining may exceed the cost of a replacement.

So tell them you want to see the rotors before replacement and stick with the car while it is in the shop.

I just do my own brake jobs, for the cost of labor I can buy new rotors and not have to worry about turning them.How do you know if you only need brake pads?Even if you don't need new rotors, it's best to have them machined on the car using an on the car brake lathe. Call your local independent shops and ask if they have an %26quot;on-the-car brake lathe%26quot; for machining brake rotors.



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