Brakes and rotors :Quick Question

I have a Elantra 2000 with 48k miles on it. I went
to the dealer today and they said that the brake pads
are down to 25%, and I should get them replaced. They
also said that I should get the rotors poished? (Did
I hear them correctly?) All in all everything will
take $150? Is that reasonable? Does the warranty cover
the polish of the rotors?

Thanks,
--Elijah

 

Well I dont know aboyt polishing the rotors, but The hyundai dealership
wantded to charge me $140 to replace just the fron pads. I ended up taking
them to a local dealer and getting it done for around $110

 

Turning the rotors is a good idea. They basically shave them so they are
true again and that will eliminate pulsing in the brake pedal and give a
smooth stopping surface for the new pads. 150 does not sound too bad for a
dealer an I do not think the pads or rotors are covered under warranty as
they are normal wear items. 25% left will go pretty fast so do it in the
near future (5k or less)

 

Let's do the math, 25% of 48K is 12K miles (about 3/4 of a year ave
driving). I would not go that long myself, but on the same note If I
got 48K miles out of the OEM disc's I sure as hell would put the same
ones back on for another 48K (I don't care who does it). If I remember
right the pad alone from the dealer were about $100, and yes turn the
rotors (its free).

 

Is there a recommended brake pad that is very good for the care
instead of putting the hyundai ones?

Thanks for ur comments,
--Elijah

 

Making a thin piece of metal thinner is never a good idea. Do you
"turn" your elbows, or your knees? If the rotors got a problem, just
replace them. Rotors on cars like this are already thin, making them
thinner just makes them warp from heat even faster! Never turn a
rotor. You can SAND them down to make them smoother, 80 grit is good
for that, and even the worse looking scraped and groove worn rotor will
last forever. Turning rotors is just a scam to extract money from your
wallet.

Xiaoding

 

I'd only have the rotors resurfaced if you have a brake vibration issue.
Ask them why they want to resurface the rotors.

 

Unless your brakes feel grabby and/or you get a pulsation in the pedal,
the rotors don't need any attention. You can replace the front brake
pads yourself with quality aftermarket pads for ~$25-$50 and they'll be
as good or better than the OEM pads. At the low end of the price scale,
Raybestos is good. At the higher end Napa, Hawk and EBC "Green Stuff"
pads are well regarded. You can get most of these at Pep Boys, with the
Napa pads only being available at Napa stores.

 

Actually rotors will NOT last forever even if you don't turn them.
Today's brake pads contain metal, which will eventually wear the
rotors down beyond safe standards. But with the rest I agree.
Don't turn them unless they are warped or if you're getting a
vibration.

J.W.