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PIC: Do these rotors need replacing?

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Old Feb 4, 2014 | 04:58 PM
  #1  
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PIC: Do these rotors need replacing?

Hi all

I have a 2008 Sport, ~90k mostly highway miles on it. I actually never replaced pads and rotors, and the car still brakes phenomenally, no squeals or vibration. After the last oil change, the stealership told me:
- pads are at minimums
- front rotors need resurfacing
- rear rotors are blued and need to be replaced

All in, they want about $900 for the job, so obviously I'm going to DIY it. I want to go somewhat cheap (but not unsafe) as I don't really push the braking performance of the car (very rarely track, and during spirited driving, I usually brake gently and early, even though I accelerate and turn hard). So, I already ordered Centric Posi-quiet ceramics from Rockauto ($80 all in front and rear)

My question is, should I bother resurfacing or replacing the rotors?

There are two options:
1. Replace rotors NOW - $$$ and DIY hassle (never done a brake job before, done ignition, oil, tranny, etc.)
2. Wear out new set of pads, then replace pads and rotors together.

To help, I have attached pictures of my rotors (front left first, then rear left).

thanks for any advice
Attached Thumbnails PIC: Do these rotors need replacing?-front.jpg   PIC: Do these rotors need replacing?-rear.jpg  
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Old Feb 4, 2014 | 05:06 PM
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You have to measure them (thichkness) to know for sure, but at 90k why not replace them, the pads, and flush the fluid and get it over with? There is a reason they are called stealerships, if you can't do it yourself ask around for a reputable mechanic, labor should be no more than $300.00.
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Old Feb 4, 2014 | 05:42 PM
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Replace them...at 90k they will be too thin if you get them turned. Check the calipers to make sure they are freely moving. Often really shaky brakes are the caliper slides sticking.
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by dannobre
Replace them...at 90k they will be too thin if you get them turned. Check the calipers to make sure they are freely moving. Often really shaky brakes are the caliper slides sticking.
2nd that!
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 09:07 AM
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Thanks for the replies. I guess the reason I was leaning towards not replacing the rotors was the fact that they are functioning great right now, and I'm the kind of guy who doesn't want to fix what's not broken.

With this many opinions the other way, I'll probably end up replacing them - going to rockauto to look for centric blanks
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 09:10 AM
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at 90k, just replace it
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Old Feb 5, 2014 | 12:26 PM
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just by looking at the step for the fronts i can say they will either be at minimum or are at minimum spec already. the rears are probably still fine if they haven't been resurfaced already.

measuring them will always tell you the answer, pictures can be misleading if you don't want to replace them unnecessarily.

Last edited by Karack; Feb 5, 2014 at 12:29 PM.
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Old Mar 11, 2014 | 10:22 PM
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Thanks for all the replies. I was rotating my tires, and decided to measure my rotors, just for the heck of it. I took multiple measurements of each rotor, and will only report the lowest below:

Front: 23.5, 23.6 mm
Rear: 18.2, 18.2 mm

I could not find the minimum specs - anyon e have an idea where I can find them (i couldn't find them stamped on the rotor, so an online source would be awesome

thanks
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Old Mar 11, 2014 | 10:28 PM
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Hmm, from this post, it appears that I am quite a ways above spec (minimums are specified as 22 and 16)

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-whe...6/#post2987529

Not a huge surprise, 80-90% of the miles on this car have been highway... I think i'll just do pads this time and when this set wears out, i'll do a complete brake job. what an awesome car!
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