Touring Tech Tips: Why You Should Replace Brake Pads and Rotors Together
When you’re planning the next big trip, the last thing you want is unexpected downtime on the side of the highway because of brake issues. For many drivers, maintenance bills can feel like a grudge purchase—especially with cost-of-living pressures. But when it comes to your braking system, cutting corners often costs more in the long run.
One of the most common questions drivers ask their mechanic is whether it’s really necessary to replace both brake pads and rotors at the same time. After all, pads generally wear faster than rotors, so why not just change the pads and squeeze a few more kilometres out of the discs?
Here’s why the smart money, and safer touring, lies in doing both together.
Safety First: Don’t Stretch the Life of Rotors
Brake pads might last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 kilometres, while rotors can sometimes hang on for another 10,000 or so. But pushing rotors past their limits risks reduced stopping power when you need it most. As they wear, rotors can develop grooves, scoring, or changes in thickness (known as Disc Thickness Variation). Fitting brand new pads to a worn rotor surface means those fresh pads won’t bed in properly, and they’ll likely wear down faster than expected.
For anyone towing, touring, or heading into remote country roads, the last thing you want is compromised braking performance.
Save Time, Save Money
Replacing pads without rotors may feel like a quick saving, but it usually ends up costing more. Worn rotors can chew through new pads, meaning you’ll be back at the workshop sooner than planned—along with the inconvenience of unexpected downtime on your trip. Doing the job properly once means fewer workshop visits and more time enjoying the open road.
Rotor Machining vs. Replacement
Years ago, mechanics often machined rotors—cutting a thin layer of metal away to smooth the surface. These days, with higher labour costs and more affordable new components, machining is rarely worth it. For specialised rotors, such as slotted or dimpled discs often fitted to touring rigs, machining can also reduce their heat-dissipating and self-cleaning qualities. In most cases, replacing the rotor is the more efficient and effective option.
Keep Components Matched
Mixing old rotors with new pads—or using different brands at different times—can lead to mismatched braking performance. Not all brake parts are designed to work together, and in critical moments, that could mean reduced stopping power or uneven wear. For example, Bendix pads and rotors are designed, tested, and engineered to function as a matched set, delivering consistent, reliable performance.
If your vehicle has been upgraded with heavy-duty or performance brakes for towing or touring, it’s even more important to make sure all parts are compatible and working in harmony.
The Bottom Line
Yes, replacing both pads and rotors in one go may sting the wallet a little more on the day of the service. But the benefits, better safety, improved performance, longer component life, and fewer workshop visits, make it the smarter, more cost-effective choice.
When you’re heading out touring, peace of mind is priceless. Knowing your brakes are in top condition lets you focus on the journey ahead, not on what might go wrong when you need to stop in a hurry.
