A lash-controlled switching rocker arm system for controlling an engine valve, comprising: at least one first cam and a second cam (104, 106), the second cam having a base circle (605, 607); a rocker assembly having a first end mounted on a fulcrum, and a second end attached to said engine valve, the rocker assembly comprising: a first arm having a first end and a second end with a roller between the first and second ends riding on the first cam; a second arm having a first end, a second end and at least one slider pad (130, 132) riding on the second cam (104, 106), the second arm further comprising a latch pad surface; wherein the first arm and the second arm are pivotally attached to each other at their first ends; and a latch for preventing pivoting of the first arm relative to the second arm when latched, the latch further comprising an arm engaging surface; wherein a distance between the latch pad surface and the arm engaging surface comprises a latch lash and wherein a distance between the at least one slider pad (130, 132) and the base circle (605, 607) comprises a camshaft lash, the latch lash and the camshaft lash comprising a total mechanical lash; and wherein the roller is designed to wear and thus decrease lash at the same rate that the slider pads (130, 132) and the latch wear and thus increase lash, so as to provide the total mechanical lash within limits over the lifetime of the lash-controlled rocker arm assembly. at least one first cam and a second cam (104, 106), the second cam having a base circle (605, 607); a rocker assembly having a first end mounted on a fulcrum, and a second end attached to said engine valve, the rocker assembly comprising: a first arm having a first end and a second end with a roller between the first and second ends riding on the first cam; a second arm having a first end, a second end and at least one slider pad (130, 132) riding on the second cam (104, 106), the second arm further comprising a latch pad surface; wherein the first arm and the second arm are pivotally attached to each other at their first ends; and a latch for preventing pivoting of the first arm relative to the second arm when latched, the latch further comprising an arm engaging surface; a first arm having a first end and a second end with a roller between the first and second ends riding on the first cam; a second arm having a first end, a second end and at least one slider pad (130, 132) riding on the second cam (104, 106), the second arm further comprising a latch pad surface; wherein the first arm and the second arm are pivotally attached to each other at their first ends; and a latch for preventing pivoting of the first arm relative to the second arm when latched, the latch further comprising an arm engaging surface; wherein a distance between the latch pad surface and the arm engaging surface comprises a latch lash and wherein a distance between the at least one slider pad (130, 132) and the base circle (605, 607) comprises a camshaft lash, the latch lash and the camshaft lash comprising a total mechanical lash; and wherein the roller is designed to wear and thus decrease lash at the same rate that the slider pads (130, 132) and the latch wear and thus increase lash, so as to provide the total mechanical lash within limits over the lifetime of the lash-controlled rocker arm assembly.