Just got back from Streets of Willow Springs.

Had a great track day.

Fried my brand new brake pads.

Yesterday when Honda put the pads on they wanted to machine the rotors. I thought the rotors would probably be fine. The car has 15,000 miles. I had 10% frond 20% rear. Now after one full day event I've fried my new pads. If honda wants to re-machine my rotors should I let them.

How often do you need to have the rotors machined, can't they tell if the rotors need it??

Thanks much...
-mikey

 

I usually waste the rotors before they need machining. Are you using stock Honda pads? Stock Honda pads are good for the street but only ok for the track for maybe your first day ever on a track. You probably just overheated the stock pads. Streets of Willow is tough on brakes. You should try a street/track compound pad if you're going to be going to the track again. Porterfield R4-S or Carbotech Panther+ are good combo pads. You also might want to learn to change your own pads. It's pretty easy and you can switch back between street only pads and track pads.

 

I agree with strike, two sets of brakes is the way to go.

One (stock maybe) for the street, and a nice set of aggressive pads and rotors for the track.

 

The only reason to machine the rotors that early would be if they were our of round due to pad deposit build up. It's certainly possible that they'd need it... my WRX did at around 4000 miles. And yes, they can tell if they need it or not... all you have to do is check the runout at various locations around the rotor.

But unless you're feeling a vibration under braking, I'd say leave them alone.

 

I find it best to have a seperate set of rotors and pads for the track.