Gouges in brake rotor!!

[Sparcas]

I had replaced my pads and rotors this winter and now i started to realize a slight clicking or squeal when i'm slowing to a stop. I originally thought the noise was coming from my drivers side, but upon further inspection, i noticed that there's gouges on my passenger side brake rotor!

What do you guys think i should do - get a local mechanic friend to machine them or should i just fork out for a new set of pads AND rotors, again. (Since there still could be something in the pad causing the damage)

I bought Raybestos + OEM(Magnum?) rotors last time...My only concern is my financial situation is less than flexible at the moment...

[Takumi616]

how many kim?

[Sparcas]

Since i last changed pads+rotors? Maybe 20K...

[Takumi616]

get OEM rotors and pads, you can't go wrong with that.

[Sparcas]

Would you, (or anyone) happen to know if the 04-05 rotors are the same for 07+? (2.3L) I found a local parts dealer that sells the FRONT OEM pads+rotors for $100!~

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Mazda-3-2-3L-04-05-2004-2005-OE-Brake-Rotors-pads-Frt-/230517276404?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories

Elite Auto Parts - Based in Scarborough - any opinions?

[mazdilla]

You may have a caliper that's sticking. Check that too.

[Sparcas]

it only makes the ticking noise when the brakes are applied 1/2 way and traveling at very low speeds(<10km). Otherwise, no noise... I think i'm safe... But thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure i check it.

[Takumi616]

goodluck!

[Sparcas]

Thanks!

[froggy]

yeah sounds like a piece of road debris got imbeded in your pads, or at least hung around for a while. If there's something stuck in your pad then it's obvious you've got to change it. The rotors you'll have to see how deep the gouge is and whether machining the rotor to get rid of the gouge will make the rotor to thin to be useable

[Souls]

it only makes the ticking noise when the brakes are applied 1/2 way and traveling at very low speeds(<10km). Otherwise, no noise... I think i'm safe... But thanks for the heads up! I'll make sure i check it.


yeah sounds like a piece of road debris got imbeded in your pads, or at least hung around for a while. If there's something stuck in your pad then it's obvious you've got to change it. The rotors you'll have to see how deep the gouge is and whether machining the rotor to get rid of the gouge will make the rotor to thin to be useable

x2 this happened a couple of months ago on my wife's Ponitac Vibe, was stupid loud going thru Timmy's.... I popped the wheel off, cleaned the built up pad dust with brake disk spray, took my palm sander and 80grit, gave'er a good one then hit the pad till smoove = no more sqwealin'

took maybe 10-15mins :thumbsup

[Takumi616]

nice...

[Sparcas]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand - it's save to refinish the rotor with a palm sander?

[bluemazda3]

is your parking brake loose?? because mine is loose right now.. (going into QEW Mazda soon) and the calipers got stuck on my rotors and made a small gouge... might wanna look into that?

[Souls]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand - it's save to refinish the rotor with a palm sander?

Dude, you say that like I'd risk my wife and daughter lives, like I'm some kind of wannabe mechanic car noobie.

it was just enough to take down the ridges on the rotor (and matching ridges on the pad). Don't forget the pad will re-wear (re-seat itself) back to the rotor anyways. taking down the ridges and cleaning the pad dust off, stopped the squealing for me.

If you're really freaked by your grooves, I'm sure I saw a sign at PartSource that they machine rotors on site.

[Sparcas]

I take everything with an 80 grit grain of salt.

[cwp_sedan]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand - it's save to refinish the rotor with a palm sander?

Old school method! :thumbsup

If it worked then it will work now. Unless you have money to spend, just replace them.

[Sparcas]

Thanks Ry, I hear a couple of the guys here are using Magnum brakes. I'm looking at the OEM, rather than the slotted/cross drilled.

[cwp_sedan]

Thanks Ry, I hear a couple of the guys here are using Magnum brakes. I'm looking at the OEM, rather than the slotted/cross drilled.

Talk to Joe (Flipdady) about some OEM blanks. I heard they went down in price quite a bit.