Rotors worn out at 45k?!?

[Superman]

OK, so I got my oil changed today, and they said the tech measured my rotors and they're down to less than 1mm of thickness left! I said WTF?! So I went back in and asked 'em, and he said that the RL, L series, and Saab cars have some sort of really soft rotors (supposedly less vibes, better ride, but less life too!). So, they said I need new rotors and pads. I only have 46k on the car! I've had no squeaking brakes at all. I mean, brakes are something I've done before, so I'm not worried about the work, and I'm usually pretty good about noticing when they need replacing, but does this sound right to you guys? They said it wouldn't be covered under warranty since it was 'normal wear'. Ya...well, why they designing a car to have parts that wear out in less than 60k?

OK, now that I'm done ranting, although I'd still like anybody's opinions on the above, where's a good place to get slot-and-drilled rotors for the RL, and what brake pads would you guys recommend?

(I'd do a Search, but I'm going away for the weekend, and need to pack, and I figured I'd just type this up quick and give you guys the weekend to respond to me. Thanks! )

[CuriousGeorge]

i think ours are pretty much use and replace.

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by Superman

OK, so I got my oil changed today, and they said the tech measured my rotors and they're down to less than 1mm of thickness left! I said WTF?! So I went back in and asked 'em, and he said that the RL, L series, and Saab cars have some sort of really soft rotors (supposedly less vibes, better ride, but less life too!). So, they said I need new rotors and pads. I only have 46k on the car! I've had no squeaking brakes at all. I mean, brakes are something I've done before, so I'm not worried about the work, and I'm usually pretty good about noticing when they need replacing, but does this sound right to you guys? They said it wouldn't be covered under warranty since it was 'normal wear'. Ya...well, why they designing a car to have parts that wear out in less than 60k?

OK, now that I'm done ranting, although I'd still like anybody's opinions on the above, where's a good place to get slot-and-drilled rotors for the RL, and what brake pads would you guys recommend?

(I'd do a Search, but I'm going away for the weekend, and need to pack, and I figured I'd just type this up quick and give you guys the weekend to respond to me. Thanks! )

45k is pretty good depending on how you brake. THe issue you're having is not the pads, it's the rotors. I'd be suprised if the pads weren't pretty close at this point. I wouldn't change 'em yet. Sounds like one of those 'in spec' checks the do to drum up a little business. I've got Stillen Xdrilled and slotted rotors. They're definitely harder than the stock ones, but that thing you said about the vibes is dead on. The stock RL brakes are smooth as hell, these are a little 'noisy' when you hit them, but they stop real well.

[WopOnTour]

1mm left is a LOT!
New ION Redline front rotors are 26mm
They are too thin (after turning) at 23mm

The rears are 14mm and minimum turned dimension is 12 mm

This must be measured with a rotor thickness gage accurate to 0.0125mm (.0005")
HTH
WopOnTour

[zeebees]

I know this doesn't mean a lot but I had an explorer that max got 40k miles and I changed the rotors (full) at least 5 times and each was at least 500 for the install.
45k for rotors is not bad, in fact it's good.

[Kevinedwards05]

I'm hitting 45k right now. I haven't measured my rotors, but since I had new tires installed this week, I did take a peek at them. There is a lip on the edge, and if I took them in to have them turned, I would probably have to take it to the minimum thickness to clean them up. I will be replacing mine with the drilled slotted rotors anyway, but I usually have pretty good braking habits and they are pretty well gone.....the factory tires lasted 44,600 miles if that tells you anything about my driving habits.

[Superman]

Wow....I guess, I just feel like the rotors ought to last longer than the pads. I've had no squealing from the brakes at all, and I know the pads still have some life in them. The fact that Saturn would design the car with rotors that are softer than the pads just kinda dissapoints me.

Spooner, where'd you get your Stillen's and how much were they? And what would everybody recommend as a good pad to go with? I used to buy cheapo Autozone ones for my old SL, but I'd like to be at least a little nicer to my RL.

[Sp00ner]

Originally Posted by Superman

Wow....I guess, I just feel like the rotors ought to last longer than the pads. I've had no squealing from the brakes at all, and I know the pads still have some life in them. The fact that Saturn would design the car with rotors that are softer than the pads just kinda dissapoints me.

Spooner, where'd you get your Stillen's and how much were they? And what would everybody recommend as a good pad to go with? I used to buy cheapo Autozone ones for my old SL, but I'd like to be at least a little nicer to my RL.

I got them from Stillen, they also sell pads for cheaper than stock. I would try them out. I went with the stock pads again myself. The fronts were about $300 for the set, they're cross-drilled, slotted, and zinc coated. My fronts showed up un-coated, but they told other people they should have been coated, and must have been a mistake. I wasn't going to send them back at that point though.

Also, Hawk makes good brake pads.

[WopOnTour]

Originally Posted by Sp00ner

I got them from Stillen, they also sell pads for cheaper than stock. I would try them out. I went with the stock pads again myself. The fronts were about $300 for the set, they're cross-drilled, slotted, and zinc coated. My fronts showed up un-coated, but they told other people they should have been coated, and must have been a mistake. I wasn't going to send them back at that point though.

Also, Hawk makes good brake pads.

The latest SUPER STREET article on the "Time Attack" Cobalt makes reference to pads from HRP- could those be the Hawks??

Here's the link to the article as provided by someone over at .net
http://www.cobaltss.xxx/forums/showthread.php?t=12876
You'll have to edit the link of course- you know the drill
I'd post it here but it's too large (they're using a 4GB upload max over there- I smell a database crash soon
Wop

[superbird]

break rider!

that seems normal breaks should be checked every oil change... if replacing rotors might as well the shoes to.