Brake Service

[alhope34]

I need to get my front pads changed soon and I'm extremely tight for cash. Is there anything that could possibly go wrong if I change out the pads and use the old rotors with them? My rotors still look pretty good and they aren't warped at all. The $200 needed for two new rotors would take 1/2 a pay cheque right now, so I'd really like to keep my costs down. I can barely pay the minimum on my Visa as it is.

[aris]

If their is nothing wrong with your rotors then yes you can just change the pads

[Donutz]

Just make sure you bed in your brakes properly to transfer the new brake pad material to the rotor.

[alhope34]

How is that done? I'm taking it to Jimmy so if it has something to do with the actual service I'm sure he'll do it properly.

[Donutz]

This should give you an idea: http://www.zeckhausen.com/bedding_in_brakes.htm

Essentially you bring your brakes up to operating temp, then make a series of progressively more aggressive near-stops (I.e., down to 10 km/hr). Let your brakes cool, then repeat. When properly bedded your rotors will have a slight blueish look to them.

[alhope34]

Operating temperature... So just drive normally for a bit till I find a back road I can do this procedure on?

I gave it a read over. Thanks for the link, I'll do this when I get the pads.

[Donutz]

What I do to get my brakes up to temp is apply them lightly a couple of times while I'm cruising along a good clip, then get right up to speed and start bedding them before they have a chance to cool down.