Do front and rear brake discs need to be replaced together?
3 Answers
No, replacement depends on the thickness of the brake pads. The front pads should be checked after 50,000 kilometers, and they need to be replaced if the thickness is around 3-4mm. The rear pads should be checked around 80,000 kilometers, and replacement is needed if the thickness is 3-4mm. Here is additional information: 1. Car brake pad wear warning light: Most cars are equipped with a brake pad wear warning light, which serves as a reminder for the owner to replace the brake pads early. Those who care for their cars can visit a 4S shop in advance. If you're worried about being misled, check the wear condition when the 4S staff inspects it. If the brake pads are below 5mm, consider replacement. Around 2mm, wear accelerates, marking a dangerous thickness range. It's best to replace them when the light comes on. 2. Regular inspection: Under normal driving conditions, the car's brake pads should be inspected every 5,000 kilometers. Not only should the remaining thickness be checked, but also the wear condition of the pads.
Should the brake discs be replaced in pairs? I've been driving for over a decade, and I feel it depends on the specific situation. Front brake discs usually wear out faster because most of the braking force is concentrated on the front wheels, while the rear wheels bear less load. If your car has high mileage but the wear difference between the front and rear discs is minimal, you can replace only the more severely worn pair. However, if the wear difference is significant, not replacing them together may affect braking balance, leading to unstable braking or even vibration, especially in rainy conditions or downhill driving, which could be dangerous. I always recommend regular inspections—use a caliper to measure the thickness and ensure both front and rear discs remain within the safe range. By the way, replacing them together can also prevent excessive wear on the brake pads, ensuring peace of mind after every maintenance. Safety comes first, so it's best to consult a professional technician and not skimp on costs.
Having driven for many years, it's not always necessary to replace both front and rear brake discs together—this can save some money. The front discs indeed wear out faster because braking inertia puts more load on the front wheels, while the rear wheels bear much less. Check your disc surfaces: if the thickness difference between front and rear is within the allowable range, only replace the more severely worn pair. However, if the difference is too significant—for example, the front discs are heavily worn while the rear ones are still good—replacing only the rear discs might cause braking imbalance, leading to skidding during emergency stops. My car was like this; I replaced the front discs first, and the ride felt a bit unstable. It wasn't until I replaced the rear discs that the ride became comfortable again. Additionally, excessive wear is often a brake pad issue, so it's wiser to inspect them together. For peace of mind: check every 10,000 kilometers to ensure even usage and extend their lifespan.