To Replace Rotor's+Brakes (New Mechanic)

[Nerheim]

Hello all,
Long time viewer of the forums, but finally decided to make an account. I have a question about my current brakes and rotors. First of all, I have a 2010 Camaro 1SS that requires a yearly safety inspection due to living in Hawaii. I’m relatively new at being a mechanic, but I fortunately do have access to a hobby shop with nearly all the tools required to perform most maintenance on vehicles besides engine overhauls. Last year when I went to get my safety inspection, the inspector said my brakes would need to be replaced in the next couple thousand miles. And as of the past couple months I have heard light squealing while braking. My question is, would I need to replace my rotors along with brake pads? And if so could this be done with a relatively new mechanic? I can buy the Hawk ceramic pads (daily driver) on amazon for about $260 which is what I was quoted on brake pads being installed at my local brake shop for the front axle ONLY! I have taken a few pictures of my rotor’s and pads if anyone can assist in telling me which way to go I would be greatly appreciative.

Front Driver


Front Passenger


Rear Driver


Rear Passenger

[Tmick5jr]

Those pads probably have 70% life left in them. They are fine. also these brakes are prone to squealing. (i have brembos)

[OmniCamaro]

Brake pads look great but I can only see 3 pictures and only 1 good shot of the pad. The first picture could be close but the angle is bad. The fronts always wear out before the rear under normal driving.

[White_SS/RS]

If all the pads look like the 2nd pic, you're good for a while! Like mentioned they can be a little noisy.

[1KillerSS]

Yea as stated, those pads look great. You have over half life on those still. That inspector has a thing or two to learn.

[Nerheim]

Thank you all for the information! After looking again, I was able to take some better pictures and have them better organized. Since I can pretty much rule out the rotor's not needing replaced until their is damage in the inside of them, the current brake pads from what I see in the pictures shouldn't be enough to fail my safety inspection. I was told the rear's will wear out faster than the fronts, but in my case it appears to be the opposite.

[sting808]

Originally Posted by Nerheim

Thank you all for the information! After looking again, I was able to take some better pictures and have them better organized. Since I can pretty much rule out the rotor's not needing replaced until their is damage in the inside of them, the current brake pads from what I see in the pictures shouldn't be enough to fail my safety inspection. I was told the rear's will wear out faster than the fronts, but in my case it appears to be the opposite.

What shop was it? Jiffy lube, lex Brodie, or small repair shop? All mechanics knows front brakes typically wear out quicker than rears.

Did the shop fail you based "worn brakes"? There's got to be more to this inspection or this shop sounds dirty. So much BS and shops are passing illegal cars/trucks. There's a thread in forumshawaii.com showing dirty cars w/wo safety/reconstruction stickers.

[1KillerSS]

Originally Posted by Nerheim

Thank you all for the information! After looking again, I was able to take some better pictures and have them better organized. Since I can pretty much rule out the rotor's not needing replaced until their is damage in the inside of them, the current brake pads from what I see in the pictures shouldn't be enough to fail my safety inspection. I was told the rear's will wear out faster than the fronts, but in my case it appears to be the opposite.

I hope the same person that told you about your brakes being low was the same person who told you the rear's wear out faster than the fronts. That is just a whole lot of bad information. Fronts wear faster than rears.

Do yourself a favor and hang around C5 for a while, you'll learn a lot and it will make it a lot harder for people to tell you things like that in the future, especially if your reading and posting here.

[JDP Sales]

Welcome to the site!

As stated by others; your brakes have plenty of life in them.

Also, you can generally go 2 sets of pads per one set of rotors. This is not always the case so you will want to check the thickness and make that call on a case by case basis.

When it does come time to pick up pads, I encourage you to check pricing with one of the site sponsors. A lot of time we can offer you a better deal than you see online if you call, PM or email for pricing.

Best of luck with your new ride, happy modding and feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions!

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

[Nerheim]

Originally Posted by sting808

What shop was it? Jiffy lube, lex Brodie, or small repair shop? All mechanics knows front brakes typically wear out quicker than rears.

Did the shop fail you based "worn brakes"? There's got to be more to this inspection or this shop sounds dirty. So much BS and shops are passing illegal cars/trucks. There's a thread in forumshawaii.com showing dirty cars w/wo safety/reconstruction stickers.

It was actually Servco auto in Wiapahu, I had to get the third brake light fixed their due to it going out. And while I was their I just requested for the safety check to be completed since it was already failed due to the brake light. I see so many cars and I always ask how is that even on the road? Meanwhile I'm driving a 2010 that had failed two safety checks already, while a 1989 corolla with donuts and broken windshield is flying down H1. I actually called lex's and they soured $270 for front pads only.

[sting808]

Originally Posted by Nerheim

It was actually Servco auto in Wiapahu, I had to get the third brake light fixed their due to it going out. And while I was their I just requested for the safety check to be completed since it was already failed due to the brake light. I see so many cars and I always ask how is that even on the road? Meanwhile I'm driving a 2010 that had failed two safety checks already, while a 1989 corolla with donuts and broken windshield is flying down H1. I actually called lex's and they soured $270 for front pads only.

Don't go to Servco Waipahu for Safety. Very conservative/cautious inspectors that may not be caught up with all the rule changes. Back in 2010 when I wanted to move my sticker to a remote mounted plate, I wanted to get a replacement. Service writer told me inspector wouldn't pass my car since majority of the tire wasn't inside the fender well. Car had over 500 miles and less than a year old. BS The tire needs to clear the top fender lip in a straight line to the ground. I got my new safety sticker from a Brake shop in Aiea. My car passed Reconstruction permit with the current CCW 20x11.5" wheels and 315/35 back then.

There are good shops and then there are shops that take care of their "friends" cars/trucks. The latter is getting fined and put on probation, especially now iPads and pictures are required during inspection and "sort-of" provide accountability. Welcome to Hawaii and it's still not as bad as CA and emission testing.