Them’s the Brakes: Replacing Pads only vs Pads & Rotors

[jewwithguitar]

My Gen 1 R1T quad with 56K miles is in for various service items. I requested a comprehensive inspection as my warranty will be expiring soon.The SC has informed me that my front pads are at 5 mm outside and 2 mm inside and rear brake pads are at 5 mm. They did not comment on the condition of the rotors other than saying that they are “low “. They recommended replacing all four pads and rotors for $1746. Interestingly they did not suggest the 36 month brake fluid flush for $258.

I am surprised by the uneven pad wear especially as I rarely use the friction brakes. I have noticed no issues braking including noise or increased stopping distance. My plan is to have them only replace the front pads which are at 2 mm and also do the 36 month brake fluid flush. Should I consider doing the front rotors (0.4 hrs labor, $388 parts) since I am already replacing the pads or only if they provide photos of the rotors demonstrating significant wear?

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[Riviot]

This has been covered before, Rivian failed to grease early Gen 1 guide pins leading to uneven wear laterally or even on pads themselves (my front inside pads were worn at an angle, i.e. more on the forward side of the pad than the rear).

I recommend asking them to check if your VIN was part of the batch that failed to have guide pins greased properly. If so, that should be covered under warranty.

As far as rotors, you should look at them with your own eyeballs and see if they are wearing evenly/smoothly. If there are apparent grooves or a "ledge," you should replace. If they look pretty smooth, keep it riding.

If the Rivian is watching this, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Just because Rivian didn't initiate an FSAM for this issue doesn't mean it isn't an issue. Plenty of us bit our tongues and paid out of pocket for unevenly worn brake pads because of a failure by your factory line tech.

 

[mkg3]

Do you use brake assist on the top of regen? Most EVs go well over 100K miles before the brake pad replacement. Same goes for rotors.

Maybe Rivian is different??

 

[jewwithguitar]

Thanks for the detailed response Riviot. I did read the posts about a possible manufacturing defect resulting in uneven pad wear, however, I did not realize there was a possibility of Rivian covering the pads. I will give it a try!

I didn't realize Brake assist had become an option and assuming it defaults to On, it likely has been On since the option was made available. Planning on turning it Off as soon as I get the vehicle back.

 

[beatle]

If you do end up replacing the brakes and rotors, I'd just have a 3rd party shop do it, or DIY. A full set of good pads and rotors will only set you back $400 or so.

 

[SwampNut]

I've got brake assist disabled, and really think everyone should run it this way. I'm at 30k and when I checked the pads a few weeks ago they all looked brand new.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

This has been covered before, Rivian failed to grease early Gen 1 guide pins leading to uneven wear laterally or even on pads themselves (my front inside pads were worn at an angle, i.e. more on the forward side of the pad than the rear).

I recommend asking them to check if your VIN was part of the batch that failed to have guide pins greased properly. If so, that should be covered under warranty.

As far as rotors, you should look at them with your own eyeballs and see if they are wearing evenly/smoothly. If there are apparent grooves or a "ledge," you should replace. If they look pretty smooth, keep it riding.

If the Rivian is watching this, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Just because Rivian didn't initiate an FSAM for this issue doesn't mean it isn't an issue. Plenty of us bit our tongues and paid out of pocket for unevenly worn brake pads because of a failure by your factory line tech.

3rd set of brakes. I know well. 60,000kms.

They greased the shit out of the pins this time. I hit the second set with brake cleaner once a month, but that clearly didn't deal with the issue. Going forward I think once every month or two, I'll pull the wheels and grease the pins myself.

 

[Time2Roll]

My F150 has 210,000 miles and the original rotors. I would be inclined to just slap some pads on.

Looks like EBC Yellow pad front $140 amazon. Part# DP41853R

 

[VSG]

Gen 1 R1T, 35K, I have blended braking turned on, and my pads just measured out to 9mm all around.

I don't think the uneven wear is due to using the brakes. I think it's the stuck calipers like Riviot said. If anything, I think using the brakes more would help to keep them from getting stuck.

Regardless, you got 60k out of your pads, I would replace them all and have them grease the pins.

See https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/brake-pad-replacement-diy-for-rivian-r1.39801/ for more discussion.

 

[DD4ST]

Rotors don’t need to be replaced unless there are grooves or they are out of planar due to too much heat from overuse. You don’t see it much more, but used to be you took your rotors to a shop and they simply reground them flat. Just had to keep a minimum thickness. I think the onslaught of cheaper rotors turned this repair into a replace the rotor. And now it seems standard that shops ALWAYS say replace the rotors when only the pads need replacing. This is absolutely overpriced.

 

[Riviot]

Rotors don’t need to be replaced unless there are grooves or they are out of planar due to too much heat from overuse. You don’t see it much more, but used to be you took your rotors to a shop and they simply reground them flat. Just had to keep a minimum thickness. I think the onslaught of cheaper rotors turned this repair into a replace the rotor. And now it seems standard that shops ALWAYS say replace the rotors when only the pads need replacing. This is absolutely overpriced.

Oh, those were the days... Repairing a perfectly fine part because shop labor was cheaper than quality supply costs. Alas, labor costs have shot up and supply costs of cheap parts like rotors has dropped.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Brake assist, per description next to the toggle, is active under specific conditions. Do we know for sure that description is accurate? Or is it active more often than claimed?

 

[Gasmiser12]

Brake assist, per description next to the toggle, is active under specific conditions. Do we know for sure that description is accurate? Or is it active more often than claimed?

Where is the feature to "disable brake assist" ?

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Do you use brake assist on the top of regen? Most EVs go well over 100K miles before the brake pad replacement. Same goes for rotors.

Maybe Rivian is different??

I was surprised to see this thread. Over a decade of EV ownership, various brands and a number of them have gone over 100,000 miles. One nearing 200,000….i have never replaced pads or rotors on a single one of them….

 

[Time2Roll]

Where is the feature to "disable brake assist" ?

I thought brake assist only activated when very close to 100% charge.
If charging to 85% max I would assume there is no assist.
Maybe I don't understand the function completely.

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