Why You Shouldn’t Put New Brake Pads on Old Rotors

Brakes are the essential part of your vehicle that helps you stop on the road. Brakes have a lot of small yet essential components like brake pads, rotors, and clippers to accurately stop a car. The brake pads press against the brake rotor and convert the moving energy of a tire into heat energy. That heat warms up the rotor and causes its warpage with time.

Sometimes, when your braking system fails and you replace the brakes and brake pads still you face inefficient barking. An old and warped rotor could be the reason. Unfortunately, most people who maintain their vehicles themselves and or are not familiar with car mechanics have no idea that it could be a reason for brake failure or inefficient braking.

In this blog, you will learn how a warp rotor can cause inefficient braking, and why you shouldn’t put new brake pads on old rotors. Let’s get straight into it.

Mention that many car owners consider replacing just the brake pads without addressing the rotors.

State the importance of proper brake system maintenance and why using old rotors with new pads can be problematic.

How Brake Pads and Rotors Work Together

Before jumping into the detail let’s understand how brake pads and rotors work together to create a braking system. When the car is moving and you apply brakes, the brake pads press the rotor from both sides creating friction to slow down the vehicle. 

Brake rotors are round and smooth by surface, when normal. Therefore, the brake pads contact them smoothly and press them to reduce the speed.  When rotors warp, their surface becomes rough, and uneven thus, brake pads can’t make smooth contact with them resulting in an inefficient braking system. 

Just like all mechanical components of a car, brake pads and rotors also wear down together over time due to excessive heat generation. They need to be in sync for optimal braking performance because their efficiency and performance are relative. Therefore, if any of them is defective you have to replace them immediately. 

 

Symptoms of a Bad Rotor:

  • Unnecessary vibration in the steering wheel
  • High-pitched squealing noise when braking
  • Large edges on the outer part of the brake rotor
  • Scratch marks on the rotors
  • Brake pedal pulsing
  • Loud bangs while braking

If you notice any of these symptoms in your car rotor, you should buy a new one before it wears out your brake pads and adds one more expense. Finding quality brake rotors in Canada at affordable rates is another challenge. There are thousands of brake parts and auto parts stores with millions of products lined up on their shelves, it is overwhelming to find the right fit for your vehicle. 


However, Geo Brakes simplifies the process by providing high-quality brake rotors in Canada that deliver reliable performance, durability, and affordability in a one-stop-shop. Explore their widest collection of brake parts and enjoy safe and comfortable rides.

Why You Can’t Put New Brake Pads on Old Rotors

Putting a new brake pad on an old rotor is like putting a band-aid on a broken bone. Because, installing new pads onto a vehicle with damaged rotors, the pad won’t properly contact the rotor surface and this will result in reduced the vehicle’s stopping ability. 

Sometimes deep grooves that have developed in a worn rotor will act as a hole-puncher or shredder and damage the pad material as it is pressed against the rotor. Be sure to replace the rotors when changing the brake pads. Otherwise, no matter how many times you replace the brake pads they will wear out prematurely and you will end up wasting your money.

Old rotors can damage your newly installed brake pads and put your life at risk. They can create uneven friction, leading to reduced stopping power that can cause a severe accident. Concerned about safety? If you want to avoid costly and dangerous consequences, check out our blog on the symptoms of a failing brake master cylinder to understand other potential issues.

Secondly, warped or grooved rotors can cause noisy, vibrating brakes. Whenever you apply a brake you feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and a high-pitched squealing noise. That will not look classy if you are on a trip. 

Normally, a brake rotor lasts only for 50,000 and 70,000 miles of drive in normal driving conditions. However, if you are living in a busy city where you hit the brakes after every two minutes you need to check it before that limit. Is city driving wearing down your brakes faster? Find out more in our blog on the checklist for conducting a fleet brake inspection to keep your brakes in top shape.

5 Benefits of Replacing Rotors with New Brake Pads

Replacing an old rotor along with new brake pads will save you time and money. However, there are certain benefits of replacing the rotors that you would love to know:

  1. Optimal Performance: New rotors provide a smooth surface for the new pads to grip them evenly and maximize braking efficiency.
  2. Longer Lifespan: Rotor and brake pads function relatively so replacing both will extend their lifespan. 
  3. Improved Safety: New rotors will work smoothly and help in reliable, consistent braking performance.
  4. Cost Savings in the Long Run: Although replacing rotors is an upfront cost, it can save you from frequent brake pad replacements and improve vehicle safety.
  5. Zero Noise: A bad rotor will create weird noises and your car will sound like an old trunk upon braking. Replacing them with the new ones means you can have more smoother and quieter brakes than before.

Conclusion

Both rotors and brake pads are important parts of a braking system. One can’t perform well without the other. If your car takes more to stop, creates weird noises on applying brakes, and you feel vibrations in the steering wheel as well as brake pedals, your car has a bad rotor. You have to replace them first and then the brake pads. Otherwise, these bad rotors will wear out new brake pads time and again. This is the reason you should never put a new brake pad on an old rotor. 

However, finding quality brake rotors in Canada at affordable rates can be challenging with so many options. But, GeoBrakes makes it easy by offering reliable, durable, and cost-effective solutions for all your braking needs.

No matter If you are replacing worn-out rotors or upgrading your entire braking system, they can provide you the best value for your investment. You can visit their store or place an order online and enjoy free shipping on orders above $99.