Any issue changing rotors and not pads?

foghat · 03-13-2014, 07:57 PM

Hi all,

I have a noticeable shimmying/pulsing in the steering wheel when braking. I tried re-bedding my pads(no idea if they were every properly bedded) twice in the fall. That did not resolve the pulsing.

I am assuming the problem is with my front rotors. Thoughts on this? I have read it is very hard to warp a rotor, but I am not sure what else it could be.

Computer is telling me both my front and rear pads are good for another 17,000 miles (car has 35,000 mi), so I'd really rather not replace those if I don't need to.

Is it an issue to use old pads with new rotors? I would imagine I'd just do the bedding process again and the pads will conform to the new rotors?

Thoughts on whether I should do the rear rotors as well?

One///Em · 03-13-2014, 08:19 PM

No issue to re-use if the pads are not damaged, but I have always matched rotors with new pads in my workshop.

If deposits are on the front you will get vibrations through the steering and pedal, rear only the pedal. Unfortnately until you replace the front rotors you will not know if the rears are an issue, unless you have a run-out measurement done on the rotors.

You could also use this (http://www.amazon.com/3M-03050-Scotc.../dp/B000CPZYCM) first to try to remove the deposits, but they may have already fused into the rotor.

New21er · 03-13-2014, 08:20 PM

New rotors=new pads!!

foghat · 03-14-2014, 09:18 AM

I only get the pulsing in the steering wheel. Not the pedal. If I get new pads, guess I need to get new wear sensors as well?

03-13-2014, 07:57 PM	#1
foghat Captain 59 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Great White North iTrader: (1)	Any issue changing rotors and not pads? Hi all, I have a noticeable shimmying/pulsing in the steering wheel when braking. I tried re-bedding my pads(no idea if they were every properly bedded) twice in the fall. That did not resolve the pulsing. I am assuming the problem is with my front rotors. Thoughts on this? I have read it is very hard to warp a rotor, but I am not sure what else it could be. Computer is telling me both my front and rear pads are good for another 17,000 miles (car has 35,000 mi), so I'd really rather not replace those if I don't need to. Is it an issue to use old pads with new rotors? I would imagine I'd just do the bedding process again and the pads will conform to the new rotors? Thoughts on whether I should do the rear rotors as well?
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03-13-2014, 08:19 PM	#2
One///Em Enlisted Member 2 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: here & there iTrader: (0)	No issue to re-use if the pads are not damaged, but I have always matched rotors with new pads in my workshop. If deposits are on the front you will get vibrations through the steering and pedal, rear only the pedal. Unfortnately until you replace the front rotors you will not know if the rears are an issue, unless you have a run-out measurement done on the rotors. You could also use this (http://www.amazon.com/3M-03050-Scotc.../dp/B000CPZYCM) first to try to remove the deposits, but they may have already fused into the rotor.
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03-13-2014, 08:20 PM	#3
New21er Lieutenant 35 Rep 550 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Stanwood, wa. iTrader: (2)	New rotors=new pads!!
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03-14-2014, 09:18 AM	#4
foghat Captain 59 Rep 913 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Great White North iTrader: (1)	I only get the pulsing in the steering wheel. Not the pedal. If I get new pads, guess I need to get new wear sensors as well?
	Appreciate 0 Quote