Stupid question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 92
Likes: 11
From: Wilmington
Stupid question
This is my first time changing the brakes on my vette, miles are around 76ish I believe, but I was wondering if I change the front and rear brake pads on my 16 Z51 A8, should I change the rotors or is it safe to just change the pads? I changed the pads on my wife's kia and then a few months later I had to buy new rotors cause of vibration and noise during braking, which is why now I'm wondering if I should take the safe route and buy the rotors also, thanks in advance for your input.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,029
Likes: 2,719
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Rotors are normally marked with a minimum thickness, you don't want to just put in new pads if the rotors are too thin.
Also, think about how thin those rotors will be by the time you wear out the new pads. I want the rotors to have enough life to last through the new pads, not just stop me the day after the new pads are installed.
Also, think about how thin those rotors will be by the time you wear out the new pads. I want the rotors to have enough life to last through the new pads, not just stop me the day after the new pads are installed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Rotors are normally marked with a minimum thickness, you don't want to just put in new pads if the rotors are too thin.
Also, think about how thin those rotors will be by the time you wear out the new pads. I want the rotors to have enough life to last through the new pads, not just stop me the day after the new pads are installed.
Also, think about how thin those rotors will be by the time you wear out the new pads. I want the rotors to have enough life to last through the new pads, not just stop me the day after the new pads are installed.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 787
Likes: 127
From: Connecticut
Spoiler
If the rotors are within spec, visibly acceptable and don't cause vibration, I re-use them.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,502
Likes: 3,302
From: Hartford WI
Rotors are normally marked with a minimum thickness, you don't want to just put in new pads if the rotors are too thin.
Also, think about how thin those rotors will be by the time you wear out the new pads. I want the rotors to have enough life to last through the new pads, not just stop me the day after the new pads are installed.
Also, think about how thin those rotors will be by the time you wear out the new pads. I want the rotors to have enough life to last through the new pads, not just stop me the day after the new pads are installed.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 30
Likes: 12
From: Mn
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,502
Likes: 3,302
From: Hartford WI
RA is cheap FOR A REASON. I buy pads at Advance, NAPA or Autozone, etc. and if I wear it out, I can buy a new set, install it and take the old set back and get my money that I paid for the 2nd set. With RA, you get to file an RMA, wait for it to be approved and they send you a new set. You can't buy one and damage swap it out. Vehicle down longer. You buy it and want it next day and you pay much more for shipping. Should FedEx fail, well, you are SOL. Ask me how I know. If I buy from them, I assume 0 warranty since it will be a PITA and "it comes when it comes". I often can't afford RA and the aggravation that comes with it. Summit or Jegs is a whole different animal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
RA is cheap FOR A REASON. I buy pads at Advance, NAPA or Autozone, etc. and if I wear it out, I can buy a new set, install it and take the old set back and get my money that I paid for the 2nd set. With RA, you get to file an RMA, wait for it to be approved and they send you a new set. You can't buy one and damage swap it out. Vehicle down longer. You buy it and want it next day and you pay much more for shipping. Should FedEx fail, well, you are SOL. Ask me how I know. If I buy from them, I assume 0 warranty since it will be a PITA and "it comes when it comes". I often can't afford RA and the aggravation that comes with it. Summit or Jegs is a whole different animal.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 30
Likes: 12
From: Mn
RA is cheap FOR A REASON. I buy pads at Advance, NAPA or Autozone, etc. and if I wear it out, I can buy a new set, install it and take the old set back and get my money that I paid for the 2nd set. With RA, you get to file an RMA, wait for it to be approved and they send you a new set. You can't buy one and damage swap it out. Vehicle down longer. You buy it and want it next day and you pay much more for shipping. Should FedEx fail, well, you are SOL. Ask me how I know. If I buy from them, I assume 0 warranty since it will be a PITA and "it comes when it comes". I often can't afford RA and the aggravation that comes with it. Summit or Jegs is a whole different animal.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,502
Likes: 3,302
From: Hartford WI
This is why you should buy maintenance parts early. I have pads sitting on the shelf for most of my cars. I just swapped the Corvette recently so I won't buy a set for a few years. But on average parts sit on the shelf at least a year before I need them. I always have a jug of oil on the shelf as well. You just need to be prepared. Yea, this takes up space, and I have it, so why not.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,306
Likes: 4,625
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,206
Likes: 7,474
From: Pittsburgh
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Like the other have said, if the existing rotors are in good shape, you can re-use them, but new rotors aren't expensive & you get piece of mind
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,502
Likes: 3,302
From: Hartford WI
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 105
Likes: 125
From: Katy Texas
Unless raced or abused, the rotors should be fine. As others have posted, check the thickness and for any scoring. If they are in good shape, pads alone should be fine. I Just did mine at 155K miles (Stingray) and the rotors are original.
