b/c I read alot of 5th gen here & there claim the OEM Rotors suck & go out every 10k miles....but I'm not sure what I should be feeling or looking for? Sorry I'm NOT mechanically-inclined, but rotors are brake discs you see thru the wheel, right?

(I tried search but didnt find a thread for these answers)

 

Yes, the rotors are the shiney discs you see through the wheels (roughly 11" in diameter). If the rotors are bad, you can typically feel pulsation through the brake pedal or through the steering wheel when braking. In the old days (10 years or so ago) it was common practice to turn the rotors during pad changes which would ensure the thickness of the disc was consistant through the entire circumferance. Now, when a rotor is toast, most manufacturers recommend replacement.

 

ok let me change a few of those words around. first of all rotors are supposed to be turned/resurfaced everytime u change the pads. no the reason they get tosses once warped isnt becasue its just warped. there is a minimun thinckness of the rotor and once it passes that the car wont brake efficiently the way it used to. now the common rotor last about 2 brake jobs unless ur a nutcase driver that is. now the easiest was to see if u have warped rotors is as u described above, a pulse in the pedal, also if its really warped it sound more or less like a farting sound and really vibrates the pedal.

 

The easiest way I think is to notice the steering wheel start to shimmy (shake back and forth), that's a sure sign if you notice it getting worse and worse.... You can also try driving a new car or someone who just got their rotors machined and see if you notice that their brakes seem smooth when you press the pedal, while yours seems shaky.....

Rotors need to be machined generally every 20,000-30,000. You will hear some people say 40,000 or more and if not it's because your a bad driver, and although braking techniques are a factor, there are a number of other reasons why your rotors may become warped.

For instance, when do you use your brakes the most? probably in the rain, and while you keep on heating up your rotors by pressing the brake pedal, at the same time you've got cool water splashing on them... So hot metal with cold water creates warpage.... Personally, getting your rotors machined and transmission fluid changed are two of the most noticable maintanence related items you can have done to your car, and both well worth the $$$...

-Nate

 

as with the shimmy in the steering wheel, the motor mounts can cause that as well, trust me. u cant be 100% sure the the cars up in the air.

 

I was speaking in generic terms, and you are incorrect that rotors need to be turned every time the pads are replaced. Why fix something that isn't broken. As for warped rotors, Volvo for instance will not turn them -- if they are warped, they are junk.

 

how would i be incorrect if i change about 10 sets of pads every week at work?. im not specifically stating that ur wrong but after a set of pads has worn down rotors are somewhat warped, i know this becasue when i resurface them they have to be cut twice sometimes, but they dont warp to an extreme that u guys are mentioning. the reason its cut is so the pads and rotors start to wear at an even pace once again. it doesnt mean that its broken, just needs a slight tweak to last longer, and brake better as well. but if ur like most people and change ur pads on ur own u dont know this becasue u havent had access to the resurfacing machine, so do it anyway u want. u can change ur pads w/o resurfacing but they will not perform as well as cut rotors.

 

thanks for the responses...i know i can count on the org for prompt answers.... one more questions: If my rotors are warped is it covered under nissan warranty?

 

depends if it was on recall, mine were warped at about 8000miles, i have about 14000miles now. but they were the rear rotors that were on recall. they basically farted every time i hit the brakes i was embaressed to brake at a point. they covered it under warranty but i dont know if they will cover yours, i guess it depends on your mileage. but good luck on it, and im perosnally goin to switch over to stillens kit for both the front and back after about 2 brake jobs. and as for u jaws i forgot to mention that Volvo isnt the only 1 that junks it, Mercedez and Bmw are the same as well, im guessin the VW is the same as well but we dont get too many german cars is so im no too certain about VW and Volvo. but on german cars no i dont resuface the rotors the. the first brake job i just replave the pads the second time around then i replace the rotors so ur not far off at all, with all due respect u know more about brakes then most people do.