The brakes are one of your car’s most critical and essential systems. You can’t accurately stop your car in time without effective brakes. Therefore, it’s crucial to change the braking rotors and pads when needed. But the question is: how much does brake pad and rotor replacement cost? Well, read more to know.
You will need to perform a number of maintenance procedures throughout the lifespan of your car, including brake work. You put both your safety and the safety of many other road users at risk if your brakes aren’t functioning properly.
Several factors, such as how frequently you drive your car, the conditions you drive in, the quality of the parts you use to equip your car, and how frequently you have your brake system repaired, will determine how often you need to schedule a brake job.
The majority of brake pad manufacturers and mechanics agree that good brake pads should last between 30,000 and 70,000 kilometers. Although some would need to be replaced every 25,000 miles, while others can last much longer than 70,000 miles.
Today, you’ll get to know the cost of brake pad and rotor replacement. You’ll also get to know the symptoms, if it’s safe to drive with bad brake pads and rotors, and factors affecting brake pad and rotor replacement cost.
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Let’s get to it.
Contents
How much does a brake pad and rotor replacement cost?
A brake pad and rotor replacement on one axle will cost between $300 and $800, with the front brakes being slightly more expensive than the rear brakes. Therefore, the cost of replacing all four wheels’ brake pads and rotors ranges from $500 to $1,600.
The cost of replacing brake pads ranges from $100 to $300 per axle, with parts accounting for an additional $40 to $150. The cost of replacing the brake rotors will add an additional $150 to $500 per axle if you also need to have them replaced.
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Symptoms of bad brake pads and rotors
Below are signs and symptoms you’ll notice when your brake pads and rotor have gone bad.
Car takes longer time to stop
Stopping the car is the function of the braking system. As brakes deteriorate, they are less effective at doing this job. It can be dangerous when the brake fade becomes worse.
You will gradually notice a change in how long it takes before you stop as you apply more pedal pressure. It’s time to get the brake pads and rotors replaced so that you don’t have to plan ahead to stop.
Vibrations whenever you hit the brakes
There is a problem if you press the brake pedal and feel strange vibrations. The rotors may begin to heat up and warp as the pads degrade. As the system heats up, the disc begins to vibrate due to this warping.
Replacing the brake rotors and pads could solve this issue. You run the danger of having problems stopping just when you need it if you don’t get the brakes adjusted and the system cleaned up.
Strange Noises
If you hit the brake pedal repeatedly when the brake pads and rotor start to fail, you might hear some squealing. This noise often comes from the brake pads’ wear indications, notifying you that it’s time for a replacement.
The sounds should stop if you take the advice and replace the brake pads. However, ignoring the brakes may result in other noises beginning to be heard. Any grinding or clicking sounds are extremely serious and require quick attention.
Pulling while braking
The brake pads should stop all wheels equally when you stop a car. Uneven stopping patterns will become apparent when one side starts to wear out more quickly than the other.
When the brake pedal is pressed, the car may begin to pull to one side. If you ignore this issue, you put other crucial parts at risk of deterioration.
This symptom by itself does not, however, indicate brake wear. In reality, it could be caused by a wide range of mechanical problems, including incorrect tire pressure, a jammed brake caliper, or a broken wheel bearing.
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Is it safe to drive with bad brake pads and rotors?
Definitely no, especially if they are badly or unevenly worn. Regular brake system maintenance and pad replacement can help extend the life of individual brake system parts, support brake safety, and even enhance your driving experience.
The brake system’s primary function is to stop the car before an accident occurs. The stopping power won’t be as powerful as it should be as the brake pads and rotors deteriorate.
You are endangering both yourself and others if you can’t accurately determine how long it will take to stop. Depending on the part that failed, you could unexpectedly lose all braking power.
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Factors affecting brake pad and rotor replacement cost
Here are some major factors affecting the cost to replace brake pads and rotors.
Car make and model
The price of parts is significantly impacted by the brand of car you drive. The cost of domestic parts can frequently be less expensive than that of foreign cars. A European-brand car, like an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes, will also cost more to service than a non-European-brand car. Additionally, it’s possible that you’ll need a specialized mechanic to work on these cars, which will increase the cost of your labor.
The person carrying out the job (DIY or professional)
There’s no labor cost if it’s a DIY job. Instead, you only need the tools and parts necessary for completing the job. But you must have the knowledge and skill to replace the brake pads and rotors on your own.
However, you should expect to pay much more if you need to bring your car to a mechanic. You will also pay very high labor costs if you take your car to a dealership.
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Brake Material
There are numerous types and constructions of brakes. You have a choice of OEM or aftermarket parts made of various materials. You should do thorough research on each type, including semi-metallic, organic, and ceramic materials. Determine which is ideal for your vehicle by comparing prices and what each type offers.
Driving Habits/Environment
The fact is that your driving habits and environment will determine how much braking you do. If you drive a lot of highway, you probably don’t use the brakes as much as someone who commutes daily into the city. Furthermore, your brakes will deteriorate considerably more quickly if you are towing or carrying heavy loads.
You should also think about the surroundings in which you are driving. The brakes will wear out more quickly and need to be replaced more often if you are driving down dusty lanes or muddy paths. You might be pushed by all of these factors to buy heavy-duty brakes, which will increase the cost.
Front/Rear
It’s not always necessary to undergo a four-wheel brake job with new pads and rotors when you have your brakes serviced. But sometimes, all your brake pads—front or back—need to be replaced.
You shouldn’t be required to pay the entire cost up front for this reason. Instead, the expense will be spread out over time as each set of brakes needs replacement.
However, you must always replace the front and/or rear pads and rotors in pairs. The front brake rotors are typically bigger than the rear ones and are consequently a little more expensive to repair.
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What the video below to learn how to replace brake pad and rotor
FAQs
How much does it cost to replace brake pads and rotors?
The standard range for a complete brake replacement, which includes pads, rotors, and calipers, is $300 to $800.
Do I need to change all four brake pads and rotors?
Brake pads can be changed individually, in pairs (front or rear), or both at once. Your mechanic can take care of this problem on their own if your front brake pads need to be repaired or replaced. You should also be aware that the front and rear brake pads on your car wear out at very different rates.
How much should four rotors and brake pads cost?
Each rotor might cost anywhere from $30 to $75. For each axle, labor costs between $150 and $200 to replace the rotors and pads. The cost of brake pads and rotors per axle ranges from $250 to $500.
How do I know if my rotors are bad?
steering wheel vibration. When you slow down, your rotors might be in trouble if you experience pulsing in the brake pedal or vibration in the steering wheel.
Intermittent screeching, a blue tint, excessive wear over time, and other symptoms
How often should rotors be replaced?
To keep wear to a minimum, you should basically change your brake pads every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. However, to maintain the best possible condition of your brakes, you should replace your rotors every 50,000 to 70,000 miles.
How long does it take a mechanic to replace brakes and rotors?
It will take a mechanic one to three hours, on average. Brake repairs come in a variety of types, some of which require more time than others.
What happens if you don’t replace rotors?
You run the risk of brake failure and an accident if you don’t replace the rotors when they need to be replaced. When the brakes are engaged, heat is absorbed and released by the rotor. More heat is absorbed as the rotor becomes thinner. The rotor warps due to the extra heat.
How can I make my rotors last longer?
Get rid of any heavy loads in your car. In areas of dense traffic, maintain a low speed. When you wash your car, spray your brake rotors to remove dust (which adds friction to your brake pads).
How do you tell if you need new rotors or just brake pads?
Vibration. Your rotors may be warped if you hit the brakes while driving at or above 30 mph and notice vibration. If you hear grinding, the rotors are rubbing against one another, and the pads are completely worn out. pulling, squealing, fading, etc.
Is it OK to put new brake pads on old rotors?
The vehicle’s ability to stop will be reduced if new brake pads are installed on a vehicle with damaged rotors because the new pads won’t make good contact with the rotor surface. When a pad is pressed against a rotor with deep grooves, the material is damaged because the deep grooves serve as a shredder or hole-puncher.
Can I replace brake pads and rotors myself?
A great way to cut the cost of brake replacement is to replace your own brake pads and rotors. This is not only a great way to save money, but it’s also a fairly simple task that a fairly skilled DIYer can complete within a few hours.
That is all for this article, where we discussed brake pad and rotor replacement costs. We also get to discuss the symptoms, if it’s safe to drive with bad brake pads and rotors, and factors affecting brake pad and rotor replacement cost.
I hope you learn a lot from reading this article. If you do, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading; see you around!
