I am about to change my brakes for the first time since I purchased the car brand new (6 years ago). I've read about several issues that rotors could have: cracks, hotspots, warpage, grooves, and rust.

How do my rotors look? Should I replace them? I would rather not replace them if I don't have to.

 

they look alright to me, but they really need to be measured for runout with a micrometer

 

any idea where the brake pad wear indicator is? according to the Protege 5 service manual, the minimum thickness is .079. My brakes look close to .125. I cant seem to the find the indicator to see how close they are.

Regardless, I'm going to replace the brakes within the next week. They jack stands I purchased are to tall to fit under the car. I bough the 3-ton ones at Walmart since I have a truck also. I may just have to buy a small set for my Protege 5 and Miata.

 

take them off and take them to a shop that turns rotors...they will tell you if they have enough meat left to cut them, or if they need to be replaced...then either way you will have a flat true surface for your new pads

 

I took all of the wheel off to look at the break and rotor wear. The Front rotors looks about the same while the rear rotors look like they are in better condition. I took some measurements (rough estimate) and it looks like I definitely have to change the front brakes. I was trying to find where the wear indicator was, and I think I found it on the picture below. Per the Protege 5 manual, the brake pads should be .079 in min thickness. Im going to do the front brakes next weekend and the rears probably over the summer (or earlier depending how on easy the fronts are).

Front Pads


Rear Pads


Wear Indicator ??

 

if your pads look low replace them ther cheap enough and its an simple job(for a refrance go to the parts store and ask to see a set of pads for your aplication). On the rotor run your finger across the stopping serface from the center out feel for groves valleys hard spots if it feels rough or catchy on your finger tip change them(the will chew up yor new pads). Dont bother having them turnd this is old tech besides you can get a brand new set of rotors that will last just as long as a turned set for 20 or 30 bucks more

 

anyone have a good tutorial on how to remove the rotors?

 

not real difficult...remove wheel, unbolt caliper, and pull em off