Carsonvette

I have a 2012 Base Coupe with J55 Brakes and 25,000 miles (includes 3 days HPDE) and the dealer said I need new rear rotors last year.
Is it better to purchase Rotors from the mechanic/installer or separately?
The dealer is asking too much and I would like to try an independant local shop.

ls1121

If you can spend 3 days at HPDE I would suggest that you learn to do it yourself. You will save a Ton of $$$$$ and it will be fulfilling at the same time. Lots of information here on how to do it. Easy Peasy.

CMY SIX

and then just buy base take offs or cheap rotors for your racing

sla07

agree with the above. its not as difficult as you may think it is. i swap mine myself when i have track weekends to my track set and back to my daily set.

HOXXOH

I'm in with all the others. For a while I was swapping my OEM J55 rotors/brkts back and forth with JL9's, until I used up the J55 rotors. Even though the JL9 rotors are slightly smaller, they're a much better deal for the track. There are a glut of used ones available to the point that people give them away just to get rid of them. I only paid for brackets.

The labor is just a bit more than changing a wheel. If you have zero tools now, you can buy all you need for most projects for about $200. The floor jack is the biggest single expense.

The best part is saying goodbye to paying others for these simple tasks.

Carsonvette

My garage is barely wider than my car. Not really set up for car repairs.

HOXXOH

You can change rotors in the driveway. About an hour for all 4.

Carsonvette

My excuse's could go on all day, I live in a condo, no working on cars in the common area. I do get the idea it's not that hard. Maybe I should just trust my local mechanic?

C6David

If you dont have any buddies that you could work on your car at their place it seems like the mechanic is your only option. I dont know how feasible it would be for you to change them at the track event. Thankfully these brakes are super easy to change. 4 bolts per assembly and its all off.

littlej72

Rock auto sells a variety of replacements and a decent aftermarket shop that knows how to lift a vette could do it pretty cheap. If you were local I would do it.

CMY SIX

some reason it has to be done in a garage?

C6topless

I swapped out all my rotors and it is very easy... if you can swap out your brake pads, you can do it no problem.

el es tu

If you go to a local mechanic they should be able to do it easily.

But remember youll likely save some decent cash if you at least source the parts yourself...

NAPA C5 rotors are cheap and work for the c6 base Jl9 brakes

For the the j55 or z51 rotors, the cheapest vendor Ive found is KNS brakes

bdanyluk

I can change all 4 brake pads/rotors/tires in 1 hour in a Holiday Inn Parking lot, the day before a track day once I've traveled to the track.

Once you do it a few times, it will be second nature.

Carsonvette

Thanks, That's very helpful.