SQ5 front rotors always need to be replaced with brake pads?

[wrcardon]

Heya,

The dealership told me when I had my rear brakes replaced (before I found this forum and before I had an independent shop) that every time the break pads need to be replaced the rotors do too. Did this for the rear as my warranty was still in place and didn’t want to risk it.

However, my warrant is over now and I know the fronts will have to be replaced relatively soon (per dealership).

Do SQ5 front rotors need to be replaced when I wear the pads down? I was going to do the EBC red stuff for pads.

[tylaughter]

By no means am I an expert but here is my take:

Rotors will long outlast your pads. Completely unnecessary to replace the rotors with each basic brake service. That said, you may opt to have your rotors turned or re-surfaced to have a perfect surface for your new pads to bed with. This will give you the best performance and life out of the new equipment.


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[EvoToSQ5]

I believe there is a minimum thickness stamped on the rotor hub. I can’t for the life of me find the specs off hand for it but if your within spec, I don’t see a reason to replace them. On my Evo I used to measure the rotor and if it was within spec I would just hit it real lightly by hand with 800-1000 grit sand paper just to get any old pad material off.


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[chawski]

I'll try and confirm tomorrow but for the b9, I believe new is 29mm, replace under 27mm. As long as they're not pitted, grooved, or otherwise worn, I don't see any reason the need to go. Just realize that heat dissipation is decreased as they thin. Even a mm less material is pretty significant in overall mass perventage

[Smittylube]

15 people will give you 15 different answers.
Sure they will work, but for how long.

A good example is one of my customers replaced his pads only at around 60k and 20k later the pad warning light was on. (Not an SQ but a Phaeton) the pad still had what I would say is plenty of life left 30/40% or maybe better, but the sensor wire was cut from the ‘lip’ on the rotor so the pad warning light was on.
Ended up redoing the complete job properly.

So you decide what is the proper way to do your brakes.

[PNW Avant]

rotor wear can be measured just as the pad wear can be. Generally rotors will outlast pads, but the type of wear (warp, scoring, etc) can kill a rotor before its wear limit.

For reference my sq5 is at 45k miles, almost time for its 2nd brake job, and the rotors have a lip from wear and will need to be replaced. Can’t say for certain but I believe they are original.


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[wrcardon]

For reference my sq5 is at 45k miles, almost time for its 2nd brake job, and the rotors have a lip from wear and will need to be replaced. Can’t say for certain but I believe they are original.

2nd brake job? Do you mean you already did the backs (rotor and pad) and now it's time for the fronts (rotor and pad)? Or that you have replaced the pads already and now you will have to replace the rotor and pads?

I did my rear (rotor and pads) at about 41k miles; my fronts still have 5mm and should be replaced (per my Audi service guy) at around 3mm or less.

[PNW Avant]

I actually don’t know. Got the car at 38k and I assumed they would have been done once. Maybe they are original? In any case it’s time for the rotors to go.

On other Audi’s of mine, rotors have outlasted pads.


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