I don't know much about cars and have taken mine to the dealer for service
for 30 years. Sadly, the local VW dealer is so lousy I have to do
otherwise. Today I took my 2000 Golf 1.8T into a local shop for a oil
change and state inspection. He said that while it passed inspection, the
front brakes were badly worn; the wire on the brake pad would fall off any
day now. So I had him replace the pads and turn the rotors. The rear were
okay.

1) Is $250 a reasonable price for pads and rotor turning?

2) 2 years ago the dealer told me the rotors were worn. He said the Golf
rotors were very thin and can't be turned, so he replaced them. I asked the
guy today about that; he said they were plenty thick, and there was no
reason not to turn them.
Either the dealer or the guy today is lying to me; I am pretty sure I know
which, but perhaps someone can let me know for sure.

3) The guy today said he felt some pulsing when he test drove the car after
installation, but it would probably go away in a few days when the new pads
set to the rotors; if not, he would have another go at it.
I can't feel any pulsing; is this anything to worry about?

Thanks.

John wrote:

Including labor? not bad. even better if that included flushing the
hydraulics (as VW recommends)

Not sure, but on the older models the rotors can be had so cheaply
through the aftermarket that if there's any question about their
utility, into the trash they go. Haven't checked prices on anything
newer than an A2 yet though.


Maybe... could be a rotor warping. If you do feel it it probably means
it's time for new rotors. Make sure the mechanic also used a torque
wrench when he remounted the wheels.

nate

--
replace "fly" with "com" to reply.
http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

For pads and turning rotors it sound a little high. Most of the time we
replace the rotors because there isn't much thickness from new to worn out.
The last time I checked there is only about 2mm to play with so we feel it's
a better value for the owner to replace the rotors with new. Also rotors if
turned correctly will not pulsate! If you local shop turned the rotors I
would be worried if they are thinner than VW's min spec.


"John" <John (AT) john (DOT) com> wrote

"Woodchuck" <stv_euroski (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

FWIW I've always followed the practice of just changing rotors at every
other pad change (unless the pads are/were worn enough so that the rotors
got damaged). Not saying it's right or wrong but it's served me well so far
for 14 years on my '91 GTI doing it this way.

Check out this link.....

http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/...otors_myth.htm

Check out this link:

http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/...otors_myth.htm