Service wants to replace rotors with each pad change?

Just took my 996 in for it's 48K km service and they called me to advise a front pad change. They also told me they wanted to put in new rotors so the pads bed properly? WTF? Is this common practice or is this a cash grab at $1000? Rotors are not cracked or warped. Anyone with any insight?

Just change the pads if the discs are not cracked or warped and break the new pads in properly. Take the car out and get to an area where you can accelerate and brake repeatedly. Get the car up to 50 or so and then evenly apply the brakes until almost stopped. DO NOT keep you foot on the brake pedal when you are stopped (unless you HAVE to). Repeat several times, inceasing the pressure you apply to the brake pedal. A couple of hard braking applications will complete the break in. Now enjoy the car. You can also drive the car while applying the barkes lightly while driving. Keep doing this for several miles increasing the pressure to the pedal. The idea is to get the brakes hot and seated without letting the pads sit still against the rotor. No further break in is necessary.

Have they been measured and found to be below minimum allowable width? Ciao, Adrian.

Service advisor made no mention of the width of the rotor, he said it was common practice to change the rotor out with each pad change...

Without looking yourself, it is impossible to know if the dealer is legit or not. Your PADS might not even need replacing. Common for dealers to use scare tactics to generated business. So, either you trust the dealer, or check it out yourself. It is extremely unlikely that the rotors are even close to minimum thickness at 48,000 km and without tracking, I am sure the pads are fine too unless you really abuse your brakes. You can always wait for the brake wear sensors to tell you that the brakes need replacing.

I would wait too till the light came on but the dealer should call you and tell you they may be close to that point. with a 15k mile service interval the warning lamp may come on in 5k miles and the customer may come in and throw a fit becuase " I was just here for a maitanence and you guys didnt notice my brakes were worn"

I asked that the pads be changed but not the rotors.

Even if they do need changing, it's an easy DIY that will cost you lots less. I just had my 48K done and neither pads or rotors needed replacement. When my pads (and or rotors) do go, I'll do it myself. BTW: which dealer, Pfaff or DFC?

Front rotors and pads are $330 for the set. I've been driving a 996 since early 2001, and every time I bring my car in for the major service they want to change my rotors, I'd be $6,000 in the hole if I did that.

Lee, Their reasoning is not correct. I would go down there and take a look for yourself. You said you asked for the pads to be replaced, why? Are the rotors scored? The mileage is irrelevant it's how the brakes have been used in the posted mileage that counts. You do not need to track a Porsche to wear out the brakes quickly. Based on your posts the argument from the dealer is not sustainable. Pictures might help. Ciao, Adrian.

It was DTFC. I'll take pictures of the rotors when I get the car back this afternoon. I asked for the pads to be changed because they said I was 1mm away from the pad sensor. The whole experience has left a sour taste in my mouth with this dealer's service.

Like I stated in my post above, this seems to be common practice for the dealers. They check to see if the rotors have a small lip (not sure what the tolerance is) and see it's against Porsche's recommendations to resurface the rotors they suggest just replacing them.

Lee, Have they changed the rotors? Ciao, Adrian.

Necessary or not, changing rotors seems like the norm these days. In years gone by it used to be that rotors would be turned more or less as a matter of course when changing pads even if that wasn't needed. These days rotors for most cars are cheap enough that it's generally not worth the effort as cast iron is a bugger to work with and the tool gets dull after a rotor or two so the new money spinner is new rotors. That logic doesn't necessarily apply with Porsche prices of course but the same mentality seems to prevail. Colin

Adrian, I've asked them not to change the rotors, just the pads. They told me the car will be ready for pick up this afternoon.

I have 53K on my pads and rotors and still have half of the pad left. (who needs to brake?) Remember your pads have wear sensors on them that will let you know when your pads are nearing their serviceable limit. On rotors they need to be measured for thickness to see if they are too worn. For rotors, rub your fingernail along the outside edge of the rotor. If there is a significant lip on the outside of the rotor, then it is probably time to change them, but unless you are aggressive with your brakes, any sane person should get at least 50K out their brakes. Your dealer is jut trying to "upsell" you on stuff to fatten their profit margin on your service. And if you don't know better, they probably got their hook set in your wallet.

Well if they haven't no harm done and nothing to be sour about. This is normal dealer practice and you have to call them on it. They are not a charity and make their living by selling spare parts with huge mark ups and labour costs that most of us dream about getting, but you should know that already. If they have changed the rotors ask for the old ones back and get a written explanation of why they were changed against your wishes. Then get sour. Ciao, Adrian.

RIP OFF

If they change your rotors, also have them put some Autumn air in your tires, 'cuz the Summer air will be too hot to use in the Fall!

Hmm...I can see and feel the lip on the outer edge of my front rotors, although I don't know what's considered "significant" given that I'm at a shade over 40K. The dealer has been advising a replacement for 2 years now, but I'm hesitant since they aren't warped or cracked.

Actually rotors are getting softer and brake pads harder nowadyas due to asbestes being removed from brake pads.

dont worry about the lip get a micrometer and measure them if they are under spec they need to be changed the dealer wants to replace rotors even if above spec ...........not so much for the more money but to prevent later issues. squeakin, vibration ect caussed by material build up on the rotor surface used rotors are much more difficult for the pads to "bed " . if you dont want them to change them then tell them just the pads, youll sign off that you declined rotors so if they squeel or shake the dealer isnt liable

You're absolutely right. No reason to get prematurely sour... Thanks for the sanity check guys!

A lip is normal. Check the condition and measure.

Damn you and all your wonderful gadgets, Tool Pants!

So what happened Lee? Ciao, Adrian.

I have a Mercedes mechanic friend who told me about one of their techs having the entire area under his bench full of rotors. He went on th say that he was sure not one of them would measure below minimum. As others have stated it's an easy buck. To my dealer's credit they did not try to push rotors and pads on me at my 30K service and the rotors have been chewed on by Hawk Blues.

I believe when rotors get thin...they get prone to warping and cracking before anything further happens. I mean it's not like they'll suddenly break with large pieces falling off. Warping you'll easily feel. Cracking...just make sure you periodically look it over. I agree with the concensus...rotor replacement is a big scam!! thanks, Amir

To often, people talk about "warped disc" when the disc, in fact, does not warp. In it almost impossible for a disc to warp under any street or track conditions. Anyone who has worked with metals knows how it is almost impossible to warp a piece of steel that has gone through the proper hardening process. What people experience whan they describe a warped disc, is most often the transfer of pad material to the suface of the disc. You can even see this material when it is bad. This transfer takes place when the brake disc and pads are at extreme temperatures and the pad is held against the disc tightly for a time while the car is not moving. This causes a raised area on the disc and a vibration occurs the next time you apply the brakes as the pads hit this high spot. Friction from using the brakes after material has been transfered to the disc, can sometimes remove the extra material, but most stock pads are not coarse enough to do so competely. Track brakes that are coarser and therefore more abrasive, do a much better job at keeping the discs clean.

Is this common practice or is this a cash grab at $1000? Rotors are not cracked or warped. It's not an either or statement. Changing rotors when changing pads is a common practice and yes it is also a cash grab. I've lost count of how many times I've changed brake shoes and pads over the last 35 years, and I have never found the need to change the rotors on any occassion. Most BMW and Porsche Dealers will change rotors when changing pads.

Adrian, I asked them to change just the pads, and when I picked up the car yesterday, the pads were not changed. That was fine, as I think I have another 10K km left, which based on my current mileage is another year (don't razz me too bad, we have 7 vehicles...). What ticked me off is that I also asked for an emissions test because I have to renew my license plate this year. This was not done, which means I have to do this myself when I get back from business in a week and a half. I was hoping to get all our vehicles done this week, so this really inconveniences me. Apart from the whole rotor recommendation saga, there seem to be serious communication problems with this dealership. It was my first service there, I won't be returning.

Lee, I would advise you to at least to go and see the Service Manager or even the Dealership Chief and tell them what you think and what you expect from them when you take your car in. I don't know how many Porsche dealers there are in Toronto, but it might be worth trying to get things cleared up first. Just moving one to the next one and then do the same thing becomes a real pain, and eventually you run out of places to go. At least go and tell them what you think of the way they treated you. Ciao, Adrian.

I picked the car up 1/2 hour before they closed on Friday night. There was nobody in service when I picked the car up, just sales and the parts guy, who explained what was done to the car. I'm out of the country till after Thanksgiving. My schedule is just too hectic right now to chase people down to complain. I'll follow up when I get back. Thanks to everyone here for their advice!