Need new pads and rotors 4 RWC?

[Anonymous]

Got a service and tune and asked for a road worthy certificate as I am going to be selling car soon. 97 EL XR6, immac. condition. Picked up the following to be done for a RWC, tyres and front rotors and pads. Quoted $160 ea for rotors and about $40 for pads. Does this seem OK? Then got the tyres put on today by another guy (tyre place), and they checked the pads (60% worn) and rotors (23mm) and said both the rotors and pads are roadworthy, no qstn.
Intersting thing is when changing tyres, could not find locking nut for the mags, presumed mechanic had as he found the pads and rotors stuffed when testing for RWC. Said he did not have the locking nut and did not take the tyres off. Can they check the pads and rotors without taking off the wheels? I would not think it is possible and the tyre guys said it would not be possible and I may be getting ripped off. What do you think?

 

[addo]

Well, the magic figure of extortion up here is $400 (on a bluey). This is where they pick their favourite good margin service to bend you over the barrel with.

Let's see: 2×$160 + $40 +$RWC = $400? Am I close?

It seems hard to put a gauge or measuring caliper on the rotors without the wheel off. Pads you can sometimes see. Noel will have some clues.

Adam.

 

[Anonymous]

Late model cars have very aggressive compounds in the brake pad material of old.
In normal use the disc rotors will wear and create a large lip fom the unworn to the worn areas.
This to the untrained or slack will look like the rotors are worn out but the only way to tell properly is to remove the wheels inspect and measure properly.
23mm is still within the serviceable range for those front brakes.
Yes some testers do say front pads, a windscreen and tyres for a roadworthy, no matter what the condition.
Noel.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks all,

Noel
so the only way to fully check for the RWC is to take the wheels off? I have standard EL Tickford alloys. Unsure on calipers, can these be used without the wheels off?
Cheers

 

[addo]

It'd be crude, but you could use the end of a vernier caliper (the depth bit) to measure the lip Noel refers to.

Interesting that young Aaron (aka xespack/jorgo) got the RWC trifecta on his "new" XB 351 - pads, tyres, screen...

Adam.

 

[Anonymous]

Alot of these late model mags have huge holes in them and yes the discs can be measured with the wheels on.
But the inspection is for disc rotor condition and measurement.
Noel.
Best thing to do with any repair needed or a quote is to ask WHY?.
WHY do I need this?
WHY does it cost this much?
WHY do I need to do all this?
If the answers dont sound right, go some where else!
Remember all the motoring bodies for the state you live in have a technical advise call centre and these guys can answer questions too.

 

[alloydave]

HELLO NAVYBLUES43,
el 97 xr6 front rotors ..ABS MIN THICKNESS 21MM
NON ABS MIN THICKNESS 21MM
ABS rotors in NZ dollars $200.00 + gst retail each
NON ABS $170.00 + gst retail
pads METALIC $60.00 + gst
These prices are retail in NZ ,and im sure they should be cheaper .

You can check the rotors with a special micrometer when the wheels are on. The mechanics will normally change the pads regardless of thickness
when changing rotors to ensure equal bed in .

cheers dave

 

[Anonymous]

Unless it is a used car.
Then the pads are measured with the discs and it is use what ever is ok. Used or new.