I've had break pads replaced plenty of times, and I've replaced enough when I was a teenager and 20 something to know I've never had rotors resurfaced or replaced when their was no wiggle or wobble when breaking. I've only had 1 set of rotors ever put in a vehicle, a 20 something year old C-10 that had ruts worn into it from the previous owners.
My 2014 Altima with 79k had the rear breaks replaced last year, didn't need rotors or resurfacing. Front breaks now are worn down to 2.5mm and the dealer recommends resurfacing the rotors to prevent any wobble. If their is no wobble now, is this really something that needs to be done or are they just trying to add more to the service?
This dealership is excellent with their repairs and services, and are only a bit more expensive than local mechanics I've had issues with in the past. So I go to them for the stuff I don't feel like doing myself anymore.
If the steering wheel doesn't move when you brake, and the rotor thickness is within spec, there's no real reason to resurface rotors. Turning or resurfacing old is more expensive than buying new. You probably worked on old vehicles like my '79 Catalina, where the hub and rotor are all one big piece. They made sense to resurface back then. The rotors were integral to the car and needed wheel bearings greased or replaced if you replaced the rotors. Nowadays, the only thing holding those on are the lugnuts, the brake caliper bracket and wheel. They're separate from the hub and easily disposable.
My Catalina still had the original rotors and wheel bearings after 42 years. Too bad they don't build things to last anymore.
Justin Shepherd - Ya got me born in the early 80s and my Dad showed me how to work on his 70's Chevy's and up. Haven't really done anything serious to vehicles post 90s short of oil changes, water pumps, little stuff like that. I just hate doing stuff on the ground like brakes since I have a dirt lot and a very dusty neighborhood. Sand gets in everything if I work on it at home.
Thank you that's what I always though if their was no wobble you were good to go. I think I'll go to the Muffler Shop I've used for many years and see if they can order Akebono Pads that Scotty always praises. They are the ones that did the rear brakes and never had an issue with them short of a bit of squeal till the pads wore in.
Doesn't matter how great you think the dealership is, they are lying. Just replace your pads and call it good. Please find an independent mechanic that won't try to continually rip you off for unnecessary work.
Doc I had an 86 Trans Am that over 3 years I got screwed over on several mechanics. Scotty is a very rare breed unfortunately. The local Transmission Shop, this Dealership Service Department, and the Muffler Shop are the only 3 I trust after living in this town 38 Years. I bumped my fence one early AM putting a HUGE scratch down the entire side of the car, the Dealership was within 100 of the body shop so I went with them. To this day years later I still can't tell where the original paint ends and the new paint begins.
I've tried so many mechanics it's to the point I try and stick with the ones I feel haven't completely reamed me over. I wish Scotty lived here back in the day, I would still own my Trans Am rather than cursing it every time I think of it.
If you have had a good experience, consider yourself blessed. You are one of the few. Time changes things, new people, new techniques, etc. If you feel comfortable with dealing with these people, more power to you. But please be careful not to get taken advantage of. If there is no wobble or other problem with the rotors and the dealer wants to replace them - there's the windup and there's the pitch. Just say "No, Thank You."
no wiggle or wobble when breaking.
Hopefully you mean "braking"
dealer recommends resurfacing the rotors
That depends on what the rotors look like. Did you inspect them yourself? Have they been abused? Hard braking? Are they're gouged? Is there a bunch of brake material deposited on them? Are there pad prints from getting the rotors smoking hot and then standing on the brake?
