I have brakes down to what it looks like 1/4" of material. I measured the rotors 28mm. woundering if they require replacement due to me getting a bit of vibration on steering. not sure if I can machine them?

what do you recommend as replacements ? semi-metallic or ceramics all around? brands? wagner?

 

A 1/4" of pad material is 6.35mm and the usual minimum pad thickness is 3mm. I don't know the minimum width for the rotor, but if it is slightly warped then machining it will make it more likely to warp again and worse than before. You can buy reasonable quality rotors and be assured of a much longer life span for the brakes.

Often the piston side pad will wear a little more than the outboard pad, but the outboard pad wear is easier to see. So check both pads on all wheels. If you can do the brakes yourself then take them apart and measure the pads with a tire tread depth gauge. Pads on same wheel should not be more than 2mm different width and not more than 3mm of taper on the long or short axis of the pad. Grease the sliding pins with synthetic brake grease, and the piston contact patch and the fixed pad contact patch. Then you will have confidence to wear the pads down to 3mm before replacement.

I like Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic pads, and I have used many sets on different vehicles. They stop well and do not make any noise and produce a small amount of a light gray dust compared to a large amout of black corrosive dust for the semi-metallic pads. Ceramics are hard and will wear the rotors more than the semi-metallic.

Good luck

 

I think I going to stay the same wagner ceramics for rears and wagner semi metalics in front. although Monroe ones look like they on special at Canadian tire this week. rotors im debating to leave them, machine them or replace them.

 

machining rotors serve no purpose unless they are very lightly scored. Typical heat cycling damage microcracks and fatigue can't be removed thru cutting. The pulsing sensation most folks experience is caused by cracks or uneven surface from hot spotting. It can't be fixed. Rotors come min thickness now anyway and can't be legally cut. Rockauto sells premium name bendix brand rotors for these vans for $20. Never run ceramics on the front of these heavy vans. They are not up to the task. Ceramics are not used on the front for any severe duty or performance applications. They are all about low dust, not good braking or lifecycle. The ceramics or organics work fine on the rear. The organic compound is best for rotor life. Semi-metallic with high carbon content are best for the front. I prefer good stopping performance and have no issues washing the dust off or living with it.

 

shipping from rockauto to Canada is crazy.

 

OK, so go to the dealer and spend $700 for $100 worth of parts. Is shipping $600?

There are well over 1000 internet automotive parts sites in USA and Canada selling stuff like aftermarket caliper brackets and bendix rotors. Tehre are also local chain stores.

There's nothing magic about Rockauto. I was just providing it as an example because you can easily look up the part #'s and use their pricing as a sanity check for buying elsewhere. Rockauto is the Walmart of auto parts for USA. You can buy new parts off ebay for about the same cost and choose Canadian sellers if you want to minimize shipping fees.

 

I know that. was not putting down rockauto. actually I want to buy from them just like I said shipping cost becomes not reasonable vs buy it here locally. Canadian tire here selling wagner rotors for 50 each. considering it.