I'm beening having metal grinding noise when I applied the brakes. I took it to the dealer and they said that I need to replace the pad and the rotors.

My question is how long should the rotors and break pads last?

I have stock brakes and I don't go to the tracks. I do drive it hard from time to time. I put 25k miles on the car and I haven't changed the brake pads yet.

Is it normal to replace the rotors at 25K?

How can I check to see if the rotors really needs to be replaced?

- Tom

 

If the noise started recently then it may just be the wear-indicator (a small metal tab which will make contact when the brake pad material has worn low) causing the noise. This wear indicator does not really damage the rotor and a pad replacement could do the trick.

If the rotor has been damaged by the pad wearing down to the point where there is no more pad material and you have metal-to-metal contact then the rotors will need a turn or, if they have too much wear, a replacement.

Also if you noticed any pulsing in the brake pedal the rotors should be turned or replaced.

Since you need to at least replace the pads, you may want to consider upgrading to a Hawk or EBC brake pad. Better performance and less dust.

If the Rotors need replacement, Stop-Tech makes a wide range at from about $100.00 a rotor on up to big-money for a big-brake kit for big-performance.
www.stoptech.com

Hope that helps,
Gary

 

Check out this thread. they are a sponsor here: https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....1706006&conly=

 

Same thing just happened to me. I have 31,000 miles on them.. The rotors are below spec, so I will have to replace them...

I had the grinding noise also, and believe (as the previous post suggested) is because of the metal tab contacting on the rotor where there is an higher edge by the end of the track made by the break pad wearing the rotor...

 

Measure the rotors with a micrometer. Do your measurements conform to the specifications in the maintenance manual?

or

Trust your brake technician.

 

might as well replace them, usually when you are making a metal grinding noise you are running the metal base of the pad into the rotor.

you can try to turn them, but I doubt youll find a shop that will.

 

Thanks for your replys.
My rotors are not completely smooth so I guess i'm grinding them with the metal tab on the pads.

I'm going to replace my brakes with stoptech stage 2 kit.
Anyone have these? How good are they and do I have to break them in?

Tom

 

Great choice Tom!

You need to break them-in by "Bedding" the brakes. This is a series of low speed stops followed by cool down time and some other similar procedures. Stop Tech can provide you with all the details, I think instuctions can also be found on their website. If you buy the kit directly from Stop Tech, if you do not mind, please let them know that I suggested them. I'd also like to find out what you think of the kit once installed. If you want send me a PM.

Thanks,
Gary

 

What kind of grooves are we talking about here?

Not all grooves are “bad” grooves. If they run all around the disc, like a good old vinyl record, then your disc might still be good. These grooves actually increase you contact area and thus, performance.

Make sure they are thick enough and don’t change them if it’s not necessary.

Pulsating pedal can often be cured with a rebed-in of your brake pads. It’s often caused by uneven deposit on the surface of the disc. Turning them is a waste in that case.

Is your Z auto?

 

Yes my Z is an automatic.
The rotor kind of looks like a record.

I'm getting the new brakes from Street Image and I'll ask them if my rotors are still good. If the old rotors are still useable then I'll save them for future use.