Brake Rotors

[holiday]

I don't look at my rotors much but I noticed recently that they started making a ding-ding-ding sound audible from outside, and a whump-whumpf-whump from inside the cabin. Both these disappear when I apply the brakes so I figured it's the rotors touching the pads.

http://i.snag.gy/4Sc8u.jpg
http://i.snag.gy/ewO1C.jpg
http://i.snag.gy/5B0lm.jpg

So my question is.. what's going on here? I left my car for 4 weeks outside without driving it, so I had thought this was just rust.. but man these rotors look bad! Do I need to replace them??

[MS3_]

i would replace it if i were you, they do look pretty bad.

[holiday]

The thing is all FOUR of them look like this.. What happened?? These pictures were of three different ones lol

[Cab0oze]

Use your brakes more. That looks mostly like surface rust. With a lot of heavy braking most of that should disappear.
-edit-
oh, and make sure your calipers aren't seizing.
I don't recommend replacing your rotors, at least until you actually understand the issue.

[r4BBiT]

That is more than just a surface rust in my opinion. You can see that vented ones are rusted inside as well as hats are too. The OEM rotors (at least Gen 2) hats are painted so they don't rust that much. Mine look similar, except my hats only have some rust spots,.but they have 6 years and some tracking. I would get new rotors.

[FLIPDADY]

Measure them, there's a minimum thickness on each rotor. How many kms have you been running on them?

[dentinger]

Thats more than just surface rust. Those rotors are rotted.

If a customer came in with brakes like that, and any concern, I'd recommend 4 new rotors, service the caliper slides, and assuming the pads aren't horrible, I'd buff the pads flat, to get an even braking surface, and remove any contaminates/glazing

[McGuyver_3]

by the looks of those rotors, you don't drive much do you?
replace brakes on all 4 corners as those are rotted from lack of use/continuous sitting

[holiday]

i averaged 20-25k per year, daily driver too.

I let it sit for 3 weeks without driving, then drove a thousand KM, then let it sit for another 3 weeks. was that really enough to spoil all the rotors urghhh

by the looks of those rotors, you don't drive much do you?
replace brakes on all 4 corners as those are rotted from lack of use/continuous sitting

[holiday]

I get the calipers serviced every year, this spring included. the guy said the rotors were 'old' but OK, plenty of pads left


Thats more than just surface rust. Those rotors are rotted.

If a customer came in with brakes like that, and any concern, I'd recommend 4 new rotors, service the caliper slides, and assuming the pads aren't horrible, I'd buff the pads flat, to get an even braking surface, and remove any contaminates/glazing

about 65-70k. the rotors and pads were done at the same time, and I haven't even replaced the pads! how could pads outlast the rotor :(


Measure them, there's a minimum thickness on each rotor. How many kms have you been running on them?

[McGuyver_3]

i averaged 20-25k per year, daily driver too.

I let it sit for 3 weeks without driving, then drove a thousand KM, then let it sit for another 3 weeks. was that really enough to spoil all the rotors urghhh

At work I have seen cars with as low as 25k on them with rotors in worse shape than yours. The sad part is they are oem brakes, quality simply isn't what it used to be

[FLIPDADY]

At work I have seen cars with as low as 25k on them with rotors in worse shape than yours. The sad part is they are oem brakes, quality simply isn't what it used to be
That's the crap part about the industry nowadays. A lot of the parts are made overseas using cheap materials and little to no quality standards. Ahem.....China and Taiwan.

[sarujo]

That's the crap part about the industry nowadays. A lot of the parts are made overseas using cheap materials and little to no quality standards. Ahem.....China and Taiwan.

I am 5.5 years and still on factory original brakes in my gen2 with 110,000km's with about 4 or 5mm still remaining on the pads with rotors in fantastic condition. Seems to me like the Mazda OEM parts are well made and I will replace them with OEMs when the time comes.

You are right thou with regards to quality these days. Auto makers don't want you driving a car for 20 years...they want you buying a new one every 5 or 6 years instead.

[staax]

The rotors are so warped on my 2012 after 68k... Well started at about 62k.

Probably 30% pad life left but I'm gonna just replace everything before winter if I don't sell it by then.

[sarujo]

The rotors are so warped on my 2012 after 68k... Well started at about 62k.

Probably 30% pad life left but I'm gonna just replace everything before winter if I don't sell it by then.

Is yours an automagic?

I attribute my success to having a MT (and no I'm not really using the clutch for braking) and making sure all tire work is torqued properly by hand.

[staax]

Yup mines an auto, but if it was a stick I'd still use the brakes just as much. Cheaper replacing those than a tranny.

Even in heavy traffic I create myself a gap like I would in a stick, so I'm not constantly between the gas and brake.

I'm happy with the pad life, just wish the rotors so warped.

[sarujo]

Were you always doing your own tire work or a shop? Too many places heavily over torque with their air tools as we all know.

Have you tried re-bedding the brakes or has it gone way beyond that point?

[staax]

Were you always doing your own tire work or a shop? Too many places heavily over torque with their air tools as we all know.

Have you tried re-bedding the brakes or has it gone way beyond that point?

All maintenance is done by me, torqued properly.

And its beyond that for sure.

[staax]

Has anyone ever used ATE brake rotors? Buy one get one half off right now at part source.

I've waited about as long as I should to replace them. Steering wheel is starting to dance all over the place when braking.

Plan on going with Wagner Thermoquiets and ATE rotors if they are good.

Anyone use em?

[FD22]

Has anyone ever used ATE brake rotors? Buy one get one half off right now at part source.

I've waited about as long as I should to replace them. Steering wheel is starting to dance all over the place when braking.

Plan on going with Wagner Thermoquiets and ATE rotors if they are good.

Anyone use em?

Tagging ryan2.3 as I believe are the ones he has. And if I'm not mistaken, he's also using ATE pads as well. He seems very pleased with their product from what he's told me, but I'll let him chime in.

I'm considering these ATE products for my car as well, as my Hawk pads are fairly done, and I'd probably be looking at replacing the rotors together as well.

[staax]

Thanks man.

Apparently the thermoquiet pads are good for a DD and I'm just trying to pair them with a set of rotors now.

Sales only good till Thursday, so gotta act fast!

[ryan2.3]

Tagging ryan2.3 as I believe are the ones he has. And if I'm not mistaken, he's also using ATE pads as well. He seems very pleased with their product from what he's told me, but I'll let him chime in.

I'm considering these ATE products for my car as well, as my Hawk pads are fairly done, and I'd probably be looking at replacing the rotors together as well.


I'm using Max Brakes http://maxbrakes.com/ (but i bought them through their Ebay store) I paid $160 Canadian just over 2 years ago. got the slotted cross drilled rotors with whatever pads they came with
http://maxbrakes.com/i-16126678-slotted-cross-drilled-combo-brake-kit.html

I'm very pleased with them. I've done almost 70,000km now and that includes 3 track days. Still a good amount of pad left on them, may change them next spring/summer when i approach the 3 year mark.

Blanks are a little cheaper
http://maxbrakes.com/c-928988-brake-kits-oe-replacement-kits.html

[FD22]

I'm using Max Brakes http://maxbrakes.com/ (but i bought them through their Ebay store) I paid $160 Canadian just over 2 years ago. got the slotted cross drilled rotors with whatever pads they came with
http://maxbrakes.com/i-16126678-slotted-cross-drilled-combo-brake-kit.html

I'm very pleased with them. I've done almost 70,000km now and that includes 3 track days. Still a good amount of pad left on them, may change them next spring/summer when i approach the 3 year mark.

Blanks are a little cheaper
http://maxbrakes.com/c-928988-brake-kits-oe-replacement-kits.html

Woops, so looks like I mixed those brands up lol but there you go staax, another choice with a review to consider haha

[ryan2.3]

they're great value. I think there's 4 or 5 others on here that are using them as well with similar experience.

[staax]

Thanks guys.

Went to Part Source and the guy told me ATE doesn't make rotors for a Mazda 3... Also quoted me $87 ea for a Wagner Rotor and $69 for front pads.

OEM is $75 per rotor and $150 for pads at my local dealer.

Will def checkout those max brakes... Thanks for the link.

[staax]

ryan2.3

Did you get the front and rear rotors for that price?

Cause I just found front and rear blank rotors WITH ceramic pads for $175 on Amazon. That sounds too cheap Lol.

Mazda OEM is $300 for front pads and rotors only., yet for almost half of that I can get brand new brakes all around. I'm skeptical.. That's like prime choice auto parts pricing there .

If they've been good to you I won't argue, but shit that's cheap Lol.

[ryan2.3]

I got all 4 rotors and the ceramic pads for that price. I thought it sounded too cheap too, but took a chance anyways because even if they only lasted a year, it's still a good price. with the time and mileage i've got on them, its been worth it.
i went through here
$187 Canadian, free shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311369407010?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

My dad ended up buying a set for my brothers Acura EL as well, i think he got a slightly better deal since he went to richmond hill to their location in person, and i sent my brother there for his honda fit

Another EDIT
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?75710-Buying-front-rotors-is-driving-me-crazy!&highlight=max+auto+rotor
a couple other guys running them, silverstarmazda nepal1344 you guys still using these? or have you moved on?

[nepal1344]

Another EDIT
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?75710-Buying-front-rotors-is-driving-me-crazy!&highlight=max+auto+rotor
a couple other guys running them, silverstarmazda nepal1344 you guys still using these? or have you moved on?

Yeah I still run them. Best brakes i've ever had. I ran them for 4 years and then bought the black coated ones. I was just starting to get a little warping in the front when i changed them. Had the black coated ones for about a year and half now no issues.

[staax]

Thanks Ryan.

Youre right, for that price I can't go wrong even if they only last a year.

Gonna go with Amazon... Free shipping and guaranteed no surprise duties/fees :)

[ryan2.3]

shouldn't be duty. They're made in canada and will probably ship from Richmond hill where they're located

[staax]

You're right. Just noticed the are based in Canada.

$182 for the Elite Black F+R rotors with ceramic pads. Jesus, can't go wrong with that.

Didn't need slotted and drilled but hell for that price why not Lol.

Thanks again dude! And thanks for chiming in Nepal
.

[silverstarmazda]

i ran them for a couple years and never had any problems with them (however i did get the blank ones). when i swapped out to the speed 3 brakes i again went for these guys and still didnt have any problems.

the only problems that i had were the brake pads they supplied me with were the wrong thickness (audi pads) which were listed as compatible, but were a couple mm thicker than mazdaspeed. they didnt have anything else in stock so they grounded them down a few mm for me free of charge and never had any problems until i sold them.

the zinc coating did its job but over time it wore off from wheel cleaner and etc. but rust never really became an issue

[staax]

Just ordered the Elite black rotors... Rice? Maybe.

Walking away with brand new front and rear rotors with pads for $210. Can't complain.

Also just placed the order 20 mins ago and already I've received a shipping notification. I'm impressed so far!

[FD22]

Just ordered the Elite black rotors... Rice? Maybe.

Walking away with brand new front and rear rotors with pads for $210. Can't complain.

Also just placed the order 20 mins ago and already I've received a shipping notification. I'm impressed so far!
Yea that's pretty awesome. Be sure to update with your initial impressions once they're on, to get a more recent review of their products. As I am strongly considering ordering these as well. Although if the sale ends in a couple days, I guess I gotta make a decision soon if I wanna save some bucks...hmmm..

[staax]

I most certainly will. Doubt I'll get em by the weekend but I wouldn't be able to put them on until next weekend anyway, camping trip planned for this weekend!

[ryan2.3]

FD22 That's regular price so there's no rush. Free shipping here to US as well. I had mine delivered down here. So let me know when we're doing a brakes day

[silverstarmazda]

anyone try R1 concepts?

[Canadianbacon]

Im using MaxBrakes also... Ordered mine through their Christmas 50% off sale

[ryan2.3]

Im using MaxBrakes also... Ordered mine through their Christmas 50% off sale

thats a hell of a deal, if they do it again i'd jump on a set and just sit on them til i'm ready for changes

[FD22]

thats a hell of a deal, if they do it again i'd jump on a set and just sit on them til i'm ready for changes
Jeez, yea if that's the case I'll wait till Christmas lol although this squeaking is starting to bother me [emoji14]

[greyseason]

Bought some today! Thanks ryan2.3 and @staxx!

[js593]

Hawk HPS Ceramic pads and coated rotors checking in.

Great grip, put like all performance pads, they do put off some dust. Dont really care though since i do take care of my wheels and such

[staax]

Put them on this weekend:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e324/x2daz11/IMG_20150830_161625_004_zpsvctx6fwl.jpg (http://s42.photobucket.com/user/x2daz11/media/IMG_20150830_161625_004_zpsvctx6fwl.jpg.html)
Thoughts so far are they are alright, no squealing (at least yet). Didn't do too much heavy breaking other than to bed them in.

My old rotors were rusted so badly on the hub... check out the What Did You Do TO Your Car thread.

[staax]

Also wanted to add a big thanks to ryan2.3 and FD22

[FD22]

Pshtt, I didn't do squat haha but nice, they look pretty good on the car. All black erethangg

[c_del]

Nice, thanks for the recommendation guys, I'll check these out too. My rotors are on their last leg for the exact same reason as OP. I left the car parked outside for a month long work trip; came back and the rotors were rusting to the same degree. Already changed the pads at 90000km, and it's time for the rotors at ~103000 I guess. The only thing that I noticed is that the rust is mostly gone after some driving, but the pads are very lightly rubbing the rotors in almost all cases and as a result the rotors are HOT after a drive. To prevent wearing the pads any more until I can change the rotors, is there a way adjust the gap between the rotors and pads (this thread suggests that it may be normal for them to touch, which I didn't know: http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?28346-brakepad-to-rotor-distance)? Thanks!

[FD22]

staax how are your new Max brakes holding up now that you've got a few weeks of use out of them? Braking feel? Stopping performance? Noise issues? Any signs of rust? How does the black coating look now?

[staax]

For the price I paid I can't complain.

-Stopping feel is very good
-black coating (where pads do not contact of course) is still intact and therefore pretty rust free.
-brake dust is tolerable (for the price paid)

I did have an issue with brake squeel at low speeds or when slightly pressing the brake. I'll chalk that up as an install error because I did not apply any anti seize or brake quiet to the back of the pads.

I took the wheels off and applied anti seize and have been fine for 3 weeks now.

Overall I'd buy them again providing they last at least 60k. I don't brake very hard so I was surprised to see my OEMs go out so soon , but I did buy it used with 40k.

I'd rather pay a couple hundred bucks and do them every 60k rather than pay $700 and get 70-100k out of OEMs providing I do not run into they install issues I had while replacing the rotors Lol.

[ryan2.3]

I think you should be fine, i'm pushing 70k which includes 4 track days on them.