Scotty, a two part question. The mini chain of repair shops I've used several times said that they don't turn the rotors since it wears them down too thin. thus they do a complete replacement of pads and rotors. Now the Honda dealer said they will turn the rotors, if they're in good shape. Is this gouging or acceptable practice? #2 since the front and back rarely need replacing together the shops always want to replace the brake fluid. Is it necessary to change the fluid with every brake evern when only one set are being replaced?
Thamks
Steve M
Now the Honda dealer said they will turn the rotors, if they're in good shape. Is this gouging or acceptable practice?
It used to be the norm. But thanks to cheap offshore manufacturing, the price of rotors has come down so much that it rivals paying a local mechanic to turn them for you. So the question becomes do you want used, turned rotors, or brand new ones? Brake pad lining technology has changed a lot too. Rotors used to last much longer when they were asbestos. But with the advent of semi-metallic and ceramic brakes, rotors wear down much quicke.
Is it necessary to change the fluid with every brake evern when only one set are being replaced?
Certainly not. In my experience, brake fluid lasts a very long time. Longer than the calipers, which require bleeding the system anyway. My owner's manual recommends replacing it at 150,000 miles or 10 years.
I had to replace the brake fluid in my 02 Mustang. My electronic brake fluid tester showed that it was bad. It had never been replaced so it was obviously time to do so. At least my rotors and pads are still good. 72,000 miles on them.
@theeel
those testers you buy online are notoriously inaccurate. But yeah 20 years is high time.
Lexus recommends changing brake fluid every 30,000 miles. Dot 3 does not draw water from the air as much as dot 4, 5 fluids. Dot 3 can last 50,000. Brake fluid is hydroscopic. It draws moisture. Never fill a reservoir from an old opened bottle. At a minimum change it every 100,000 miles. I just had mine changed. It also clears out any rust and corrosion flakes in the lines. These particles cause brake calipers to fail. The brakes are your life!!! Why change the oil and neglect the brakes??? New fluid causes a pedal to be more responsive and braking easier. It makes a huge difference.
