I've noticed some pedal pulsing and steering shakes so I took my 2002 P5 with 34,000 miles to the dealership to check it out. The service writer called this afternoon and advised me that the front rotors are so warped that if they were to turn them enough to get the warp out, they'd be too thin to use. What's more- it would be $330 for the rotors and pads. I told him I was a very disturbed about that, given the fact that I've never had a set of rotors go so fast in any of my previous 6 cars. So I told him to forget it and I'll go to a brake shop and contact Mazda to voice my concern.

Now the redeeming part- He calls back 15 minutes later agreeing that 34k is a substandard wear, and tells me that they'll cover the rotors on warranty. The pads, however, will cost $166 installed.

 

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...threadid=17195

I just read this , pretty intresting.

 

I've "warped" my rotors three times since I got the car in Sept. of 2001. I do a lot of mountain driving at not so sane speeds and that will never fail to destroy the stock rotors. I'm currently saving for a big brake kit. That should help a little more.

 

i had to get a major break job at 47 000km...had to get all rotors and pads replaced

 

I'm beginning to think that there is a design flaw in the Mazda Protege Brake Pads and Rotors.

I changed the Front Pads and Rotors on my 2001 LX at 50K trying to diagnose a rubbing sound I was hearing when the car is decelerating. I thought it may have been the rotors because it was also prevelant when the car was turning.

My Mazda mechanic recommended changing the pads and that I should do the rotors as well. Pads maybe? But rotors at 50K is ridiculous. On my wife's sentra I change the rotors every 100-120k or so. I was led to believe that if I didn't change the rotors then I would be wishing that I had a few months down the road.

$400 later I think the pads could have gone another 10K and the rotors...don't know. AND... the noise is still there. It looks like it maybe the tires which have been rotated to the front. This brings up two other issues. Cupping of the tires and Bridgestone Potenza's (OEM) wear quickly and suck on the rain and snow. What was Mazda thinking with the Potenzas?

Less than two years and I've done the front brakes and have to buy 2 new tires. May need some shock work too. Otherwise I love the car. And I don't drive THAT aggressively.

So, anyone else feel that they have to change their pads and rotors to0 frequently on their Protege, post it. Because this adds an expense to the car which isn't quite as frequent on other cars.

 

I think its been pretty well proven that Mazda's rotors are sub-par. I've heard about the same brake problems on mid 90's 626 as well. I guess its just the norm for Mazda's. Next time you get some money saved up, go ahead and get aftermarket rotors.

 

Rather then getting the OEM rotors, I think there are rather nice Brembo slotted and drilled rotors that are priced similarly. Pair that up with a set of Hawk brake pads, and the problem should go away.

 

Were the rotors actually worn down to their service limit? If the mechanic was trying to fix the noise and the rotors weren't worn out, he/she should have just turned them. It is unnecessary to replace a set of rotors that aren't warped, worn to the service limit or deeply gouged.

I have never heard of anyone burning through a set of rotors on a Protege this quickly due to simple wear (as opposed to warpage) unless the owner did one of two things- (a) installed aftermarket "race compound" brake pads, or (b) repeatedly drove like a total maniac, but aggressively-driven cars usually go through a couple of sets of brake pads before the rotors go. My OEM front pads wore out at 55k miles, which seems consistent with most others on this list, and my rotors were fine.

Many other problems can cause rubbing noises. Maybe you should consider replacing your mechanic.

The stock Potenza RE92's are very quiet and reasonably grippy on dry pavement, which are good attributes on a test drive. In most other respects, they suck. However, I challenge you to find another economy car (not counting"sporty" upgrade models like the MSP) that has better OEM tires. Most of them seem to be chosen for minimal noise and maximum tread wear, which usually means ZERO grip.

 

Originally posted by: carguycw

Maybe you should consider replacing your mechanic. Maybe you should consider replacing your mechanic.

Well. That's in the works as I am currently looking at some Dunlops and Michelins. I have to spend the time and do my homework before the fact because when it comes to the brake jobs on my LX I'm sure I got taken. Live and learn.

 

At 15,000 miles I had to take my Protege in to look at the brakes because of jerky, unclean stops. The dealer found warped, 'defective rotors' and also had to replace the pads, all under warranty.

After waiting for them to order the parts and finally install them, the problem was eliminated briefly. Now I'm noting the return of the exact same stopping characteristics, with my car now at 19,000 miles.

This vehicle has no mods of any kind, I am not an aggressive driver, and the car is used primarily for around town errands and occasional road trips. No racing of any kind, and I have never "ridden the brakes". So based on my driving habits there should be no brake problems of any kind.

All of this crap leads me to consider two possibilities: 1. The brakes on this car are of exceptionally poor quality. 2. The service department at my dealership is staffed by morons.

Regarding the moron possibility, I do have wheel locks on my car, and I'm beginning to think the dealership might be putting them on too tight, so that one lug nut is overtightened while the others are not. This could cause rotor problems.

You may wish to take note of your lug nut tightness as a possible cause of your problems, as well...

 

I just got my car back from the 30,000 mile service (not at the dealer, but at a shop I really like). They looked over the brakes and I was expecting the call that I needed at least new pads... nothing. They look fine with life in them. I'm pretty hard on the brakes on a car (my chevy got new pads and rotors every 30k) so I am very pleased with the perfomance of the ones on this car.

I do make sure that all the lugs are torqued to the same spec and that may help with the non-"warping".

 

Over the past week or so, I've noticed that there is a repeated knocking sound right before i come to a stop. I'm hoping this doesn't have anything to do with the problem you guys are experiencing. I think i will take my car in the beginning of next week. Has anyone heard a sound like this?? It like someone is ligthly knocking on metal 5 to 8 times in a row.

 

I changed the pads at about 50000 km. They were totally finished. The rotors were OK. I've heard of people with Chevy Malibu's that have to get the rotors changed every 10000 km or so. My car is now at around 65000km and I have no problems with the rotors. When it comes time to replace them, I probably won't go with the stock rotors. The price is crazy at the dealer.

Word to the wise, let your brakes cool down before you wash your car or take it to a car wash. Cold water sprayed directly on the rotors when they are hot can warp them.

 

I have to replace all my rotors and brake pads after 23,000kms...not under warranty. I'm still fighting with Mazda over it.

 

Brakes indeed. Got my P5 in May 2001 when they first came out. At 33,000 km my rear pads were completely worn. Pads had to be replaced and the rotors ground.
At 73,000 km, same thing again (I discovered it when I took my winter rims off). Pads were completely worn yet again.
Mazda dealer replaced them free the first time, but not the second. Dealer and Mazda Canada say brakes aren't covered after 20,000 km. The dealer told me lots of P5 owners were coming in with brake pads completely gone at 24,000. I do hwy driving so the km's add up without much brake use. Dealer said problem is that the calipers stick and then the pads are always touching the rotors and wearing down that way. Sounds like a defect to me but Mazda will not admit it. I couldn't even get my brakes done at local dealers because they all had pads on back-order (ie. tons of people are having to replace their pads prematurely). I understand pads are a regular wear item but 24,000km to replace them - give me a break (no pun intended). Obviously there is a problem here that Mazda is making money on and so are the dealers. I went to Midas for a replacement wear they are under warranty for as long as you own the vehicle. Midas will give you new pads / labour for the first year, and new pads if you pay the labour after that. Dealer recommended having brakes serviced every 18,000km to free up the calipers and said he was told this by Mazda. Any way you look it at, it's the consumer getting the shaft yet again.....