Premature Brake and rotor wear

[Protege5girl]

My brakes were feeling weird so at 16k I had them checked. Was told everything was fine. Brought the car in for its 24k (had 22.5k on the car) and was told I need new rotors and brake pads. (FRONT AND BACK). My rotors are glazed on the inside and outside, brake pads are burnt (even though there is 60-70% pad left). I also have 2 torn caliper boots.

They will replace the caliper boots under warranty, but refuse to replace the brake pads and rotors.

I do not drive in traffic, I do not ride the brake. I do 90% highway driving (about 30-60kms/day and once a month I do a 1200km trip).

My calipers aren't seizing, they have no explanation for the problem except that it must be my driving/braking because the only way the rotors and brake pads could get glazed is from being hard on the brake.

I need some suggestions. I don't feel like paying 800+tx for new rotors and pads, (especially if in another 20k i have to change them again) I had to change my brake pads on my camry after 60k, never had to change the rotors...i really don't think its my driving.

I also don't think its right that I should have to machine my rotors at 22k. I just want to know what could have caused this problem. One of the things the dealership said, is that it is possible the car sat on the lot for a long time before i bought it...if thats the case why should I have to pay for it????

 

[mypfizzle]

buy aftermarket rotors for 200 on ebay. -=) cross drilled and slotted. i dont believe they are functional but they look alot better than the easily rusted crap that come sstock on the shaggin wagons. -=)
also as far as the pads go.. i donno about those. -=)
and im assuming your a girl.. so use your beauty charm and finess to con sum sucker into doing all your labor for free while you smile and giggle at him -=)
just kidding.
joHn

 

[Greg S]

Don't bother with stock parts, they cost way too much. Go for aftermarket parts for less than half the cost and if you are somewhat mechanically inclinded changing rotors and pads really isn't all that hard to do. You can also do some significant upgrades in the pad material and rotor quality and size if you want to since you have to replace parts anyway.

 

[Jim Frye]

Some Thoughts

Are the pads and rotors glazed on both sides of a disk or just on one side? Also, is pad wear equal on both sides of a rotor? If it's predominately on one side, I suspect that the calipers are hanging up and not releasing when the pedal is realeased. I had an '83 Civic and a '77 Corolla that had to have the caliper slides lubed every sping and fall or they would bind up and drag one side of the pads. If the glazing and wear is equal all around, I'd suspect a master cylinder problem or operator issues. 24K miles is really too little for normal wear, even with hard braking. Jim

 

[Protege5girl]

22,500 KILOMETERES. (roughly 15,000 MILES I think)

Rotors are glazed on both sides, front right driver side seems the worst. Pad wear has 60-70% left on all 4 but they need to be replaced because they are burnt.

I specifically asked about the calipers...but was told they are working just fine. (beside the torn caliper boot, there are no issues)

 

[mp5]

If this dealer refuses to replace under warranty, I'd try another dealer in your area. If they also refuse to replace under warranty, I would contact Mazda directly (number is in your owners manual). Even if all 15,000 miles were on an auto-x circuit, the stock rotors should not have glazed. There is definiatly something wrong with the brake system on your car.

 

[blynzoo]

DO NOT pay for this replacement. This is covered under warranty. Take your car, leave the BS dealer, and try another dealer in your area. I would say your cylinder is "sticking" and your pads are contacting the rotors during constant driving.
Hmmm, though you say you have 60-70% left......

It is also possible, but rare, to get a bad set of pads. I had a set replaced on a 92 Olds (high-performance machine!) Where the grain of the pad was abnormal (we found this out later). 12K later, my rotors have been devoured, but a lot of the pad is left. Actually, that sounds a hell of a lot like your problem, but instead of grinding, your rotors are glazed. This is Mazda's issue, not yours. No reasonable driving is going to glaze pads at 15K mi, ever.

Either way, as mp5 said, take it to another dealer. Suggest to them that the pads are defective, or that your calipers are sticking. I hate to say this (wait, no I dont) but most service folks at dealerships are either idiots, lazy, or both. I GAVE the master tech at my dealer the TSB # when I wanted my cold engine rattle replaced, told him to order the part then (a week before). I drop my car off a week later, come by in the afternoon, and hear "I cant find a TSB on your problem" from the master tech. Knowing dealers are idiots, I brought the TSB with me, which makes him blush. He then orders the part, and I have to come back a week later and get it installed and my ECU flashed.

Just an anticdote. Keep shopping around to dealers.

 

[Protege5girl]

The first pic is of the front driver side rotor...the back side of it. Its hard to tell from the pics....but the rotors are black.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

damn those suckers are hella rusty! hmmm...that seems like odd wear for around 15K...they said they can't machine em? because regardless of the source of the problem that's gonna have to happen as far as what i can tell from the pics. BUT there's definately some uneven wear there. I'd look at the pads to see if they also "lean" in towards the side where those rotors are worn the worst...where do you live? drive in snow? cold? i've seen many rotors warp from heating and cooling rapidly. Then you get uneven wear and "shuddering"....

 

[chuyler1]

They're pulling the girl card on you IMO. Have your husband/boyfriend walk in with you and confirm that you don't ride the brake, then they'll listen (I know it sucks but it will save you money)...and give them the addresses of your home and work to show that you drive on the highway every day.

They are trying to take you for an idiot. If you had them check the brakes before, then thats proof that you don't ride the brake cause they would have seen evidence of it before. They screwed up when they told you they were fine and they're trying to cover their ass.

 

[Mazdaspeedgirl]

he may be right...you'd be suprised how many times I go to shops just to see what they say about some minor thing that I may need repaired...then I rip em a new one...lol...

 

[NC_MP3]

If you have to buy new rotors get some good aftermarket ones. The OEM rotors suck and warp easy. Get a good set of drilled rotors, and not from ebay. And don't get OEM drilled rotors.

 

[Protege5girl]

IF the dealerships refuse to replace under warranty or goodwill I have KVR x-drilled rotors and pads in mind. The only thing is, IF there is a problem with the calipers or anything else they are not catching I don't want to risk having to replace rotors and pads in 20k again.

Anyone have any ideas what could have caused this kind of damage to the rotors? (dont say my driving...i have a 2003 p5 as well..and the rotors are just fine on that one...)

 

[Jim Frye]

Anyone have any ideas what could have caused this kind of damage to the rotors? (dont say my driving...i have a 2003 p5 as well..and the rotors are just fine on that one...)

If all four rotors look something like the one pictured, then the problem is something common to all of them. I can think of only three pieces of hardware that are common to all. 1. the master cylinder, 2. the brake pedal linkage, and 3. possibly the ABS system if so equipped. I'd say it's probably time for a second opinion from another dealer or a trusted, independant, qualified mechanic. Jim