Hey All,
Just a quick question...I am taking my A3 in for service soon and after 45000 miles need to get my brakes redone. When I told the dealer this, they said I would need new rotors as well without even looking at the rotors. I have been working on cars since I was akid and even though Audis are different than just any old car, is it really necessary for me to replace the rotors as well. I looked at them and they are evenly worn with no deep scarring. Is the dealer trying to rip me off?? I really hope not because I have been very happy with the Audi Dealerships that I have dealt with. Thanks in advance and I look forward to all input.

Parrish

 

I'd ask specifically why. There's a minimum rotor thickness spec - you don't wan't to turn a rotor below this, or replace just the pads if a rotor is nearing it's minimum. Most European cars require a front rotor replacement for every two pad changes, but don't count on this. some shops replace always replace rotors with a pad change, Some will turn the rotors if they're thick enough and the customer says they pulse, other shops will never turn a rotor as a matter of policy. It's likely that your shop has seen enough examples of your car come through that they know what's required - but ask for an explanation, or have them measure the rotors. Minimum thickness spec will be stamped on them somewhere.

 

Hesaputz,
Thanks for the information on the rotors. That really makes me feel a little better.

 

FWIW, I've been doing brakes for over thirty years, and after a number of brake jobs back in the seventies and early eighties that resulted in warped rotors most likely due to the reduction of the thermal mass of the rotors (the thinner the rotors are the lower the thermal mass is, and the more likely they are to warp, even if they're thicker than the minimum). I'm thinking that the last rotor I turnedor otherwise reused was something like 1982, and unless I have no other alternative, I'll never use a rotor beyond the life of one set of pads again.

The flip side is that strictly speaking, you should be able to go as long as two sets of pads on any given rotor, however, the risk of warping said rotor rises significantly.

 

Horch - just one more thing; rotors usually sell for $60 - 100 each. Most shops these days tend to just replace them as a matter of policy, unless the customer complains about the money.That way, they've eliminated one factor should the brakes develop squeaking or pulsing. Shopstend to have fewer comebacks, complaints and unhappy clientsthis way, costing them less money in the long run.
Just read your post, Shipo - that's pretty much been my experience , too, though it varies by car. For example, on late model Porsches (993, 996), we'll generally just throw on a set of pads at the front, unless there's pulsing or we know the owner's gonna track it. Of course, we inspect amd check, and experience with particular cars (and the differently sourced OEM parts that appear on them) is most important.