# Installing New Brake Pads **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 22, 2007, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-new-brake-pads/3494 "2007-08-22T19:36:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![doitmyself](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@doitmyself](https://community.cartalk.com/u/doitmyself)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 7:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-new-brake-pads/3494/1 "2007-08-22T19:36:21Z")
Is it ok to slap on new pads onto a rotor that has very very minor lines in it and let the new pads just wear into the roters, Thanks your opion counts… ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-new-brake-pads/3494/2 "2007-08-22T19:51:51Z")
Yes, it is OK in my opinion. All rotors develop minor scratches with use. They do not seem to affect stopping power, else we would all be advised to resurface our rotors every 1000 miles or so. I do not know if there is any easy way for a DIYer to determine when his rotors have degraded to the point of requiring resurfacing. If you feel the grooves are minor then you may proceed with pad replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Wha-Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9f8e36/32.png) [@Wha-Who](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Wha-Who)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-new-brake-pads/3494/3 "2007-08-22T21:51:16Z")
Yes, I agree with the previous post. I have reused rotors many times on different cars, some with possibly deeper grooves than you describe. The only reasons I will replace a rotor or rotors is if the swept area on the rotor is reduced due to rust or if the brakes pulsate more than I care to tolerate when stopping. Brake gently at first to allow the new pads to conform to the grooves. ---
**Author:** ![AlanY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@AlanY](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AlanY)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 10:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-new-brake-pads/3494/4 "2007-08-22T22:21:46Z")
My preference is to turn or replace the rotors with each brake job. Sure it costs more but to me it is safety issue. I prefer full 100% pad to rotor contact right away instead of when it wears in later. You never know when you need to stop NOW. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-new-brake-pads/3494/5 "2007-08-22T23:38:10Z")
The new pads actually “bed in” very quickly with a few hard stops. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2007, 1:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-new-brake-pads/3494/6 "2007-08-23T01:17:51Z")
As long as the rotors haven’t been worn down to the minimum thickness, I’d reuse them, done it many times and never had a problem. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2007, 1:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/installing-new-brake-pads/3494/7 "2007-08-23T01:40:40Z")
I’ve done it with no ill effects. Its better to slap a new rotor on and they aren’t that expensive anymore, but if it is not gouged it shouldn’t be a problem. I wouldn’t ever ever turn down rotors anymore. They are too thin to begin with and will warp quickly after being turned down, it costs to have them turned, and just a hassle to do.