lexus-is2

can anyone help and tell me how i can determine if my brake rotors and pads need changing. If I touch around the surface of the front rotors and go along the edge of it, the surface goes more in than the edge, does this indicate that the rotor is maybe worn out?

How do you measure the pad with having to take the wheel or anything off?

thanks

NovaIS350

same here. I am trying to determine if I need new pads or both pads and rotors.

RaceTech4

Its pretty difficult to do that. If you cant see it your not going to be able to measure it. Best thing to do is take a wheel off and see if you need pads. You can also take a measurement of the rotor at the same time very easily.

98023IS250

is your steering shimmying? has the rotors ever been turned? if not, all you may need is the rotors turned and put in new pads... Lots of brake shops will inspect your brakes for free.

knguyenk

If you're referring to running your finger from the hat of the rotor (the inner section of the rotor that contacts the hub and wheel) to the outer edge of the rotor and the surface is thinner on the inside of the rotor and increases as you reach the outer edge, that's relatively normal for an owner that just replaces pads and not the rotors. My teacher that taught me auto repairs told me that it the rotor condition that you described is common for luxury car owners (because he has seen this a lot on BMWs); additionally, I've personally seen this myself in several cars that I serviced that were not luxury cars too.

There is no real way to physically measure your pads and rotors without taking off your wheels. If you don't want to take the wheel off, you can stick a handheld mirror in between your wheel and caliper and look where the pads contact the rotor and see how much material on your pads you got left. I do that because I had no lift access and was lazy to use the scissor jack to take the wheel off and check one at a time.

es808

iTrader: (32)

^^^ like they said. It's pretty hard to tell how much is left on the pads without physically looking at them. This way you can determine how much is left.

As for the rotors, if it feels grooved or you have a problem with shaking when you brake, then you may need your rotors turned.

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

If the rotors are grooved like es808 said, then you might need your rotors turned, or replaced...