How do my rotors look? (see pics)

[mnkyboy]

I am about to change my brakes for the first time since I purchased the car brand new (6 years ago). I've read about several issues that rotors could have: cracks, hotspots, warpage, grooves, and rust.

How do my rotors look? Should I replace them? I would rather not replace them if I don't have to.

[progt91]

they look good, as long as you dont have pulsating while braking and there is no grooves in the rotor they are fine, just scuff them up with some sandpaper to get rid of the glaze and plop in some new pads, make sure to clean and lube the sliders and clean and put a little lube where the pads sit on the caliper bracket and your good to go

[5l1mm]

and keep some brake parts cleaner handy incase you get some grease on the surface of the rotor, or pad.
wipe both of those right before assembly.

[mnkyboy]

any idea where the brake pad wear indicator is? according to the Protege 5 service manual, the minimum thickness is .079. My brakes look close to .125. I cant seem to the find the indicator to see how close they are.

Regardless, I'm going to replace the brakes within the next week. They jack stands I purchased are to tall to fit under the car. I bough the 3-ton ones at Walmart since I have a truck also. I may just have to buy a small set for my Protege 5 and Miata.

[progt91]

the pad indicater is the small metal pad on one of the brake pads, when it gets there you are suppose to replace, earlier saves your rotors

[Masterbanter]

Anything less then 3mm in front and 2mm in rear ( for disc) you need to replace.

[mnkyboy]

Update

I took all of the wheel off to look at the break and rotor wear. The Front rotors looks about the same while the rear rotors look like they are in better condition. I took some measurements (rough estimate) and it looks like I definitely have to change the front brakes. I was trying to find where the wear indicator was, and I think I found it on the picture below. Per the Protege 5 manual, the brake pads should be .079 in min thickness. Im going to do the front brakes next weekend and the rears probably over the summer (or earlier depending how on easy the fronts are).

Front Pads


Rear Pads


Wear Indicator ??

[wheresthericego]

on the rotors you would want to check the inside more closely than the outside because thats where the most pressure is.

[mnkyboy]

on the rotors you would want to check the inside more closely than the outside because thats where the most pressure is.

Yep, I checked the back also. I didnt feel an grooves. I guess the only way to see any warping is to take it off and put it on a lathe. I dont feel any tell tale signes of warped rotors while driving, so they should be ok.

[wheresthericego]

Yep, I checked the back also. I didnt feel an grooves. I guess the only way to see any warping is to take it off and put it on a lathe. I dont feel any tell tale signes of warped rotors while driving, so they should be ok.

Warping will be very noticable under braking. You will feel a vibration as you brake