Re-surface or replace brake rotors

[jpitz31]

Hi, new to the forum.



If within specs can your re-surface brake rotors or is it better to replace them? I searched the forum but cannot find any info.


Thanks


Joe

 

[La Camioneta]

Getting to be a lost art nowadays. If they meet thickness, take them to the crustiest old machine shop to make sure you get a good technician.

 

[Samarath]

From what I have been reading, the "tone ring" inside the rotor is what the speed sensor uses to determine relative speed at each wheel. The sensor detects teeth inside the rotor. I guess these teeth get corrosion and become less detectable. I am unclear what all the ramifications are, but it sounded like, "if you replace just 1 rotor, the abs computer gets wonky and can leave you stuck." I don't know if this would be a problem if you replace just the front or rear 2 rotors, but let us know how it turns out. I know my rear rotors and brake components experience a lot more rust and corrosion than my front rotors. Maybe you can have the front rotors turned and only need to replace the rear.

Keep us posted!

 

[Booyah45828]

IF they can be resurfaced, there are no problems in doing so. The problem is that very rarely are the rotors able to be turned, and that rarity has made the shops that do it nearly obsolete.

We've got a lathe with the big arbor capable of turning HD/MD rotors and drums. But like I said, >95% aren't capable due to rust, cracks, or wear. I use the lathe more often to fix brake shake caused by run out or parallelism issues. Most of the time, if the pads are worn, the rotors are too, thanks to the friction formulations that are being used nowadays. Pads nearly outlast the rotors any more.

Brake components always get replaced per axle. Rotors, pads, and even calipers and hoses always get replaced in pairs, as not doing so can and often does create a pull. and then you're redoing the job and replacing both anyways.

 

[jpitz31]

Thanks @Samarath for the great info.


Joe

 

[jpitz31]

Thanks @Booyah45828 for the good info.


Joe

 

[sportyrick]

I am not sure about the larger rotors on medium duty vehicles but turning the rotors on cars is not worth the time or expense, I just replace them. Like Booyah says, it's a dying are because most of the time it doesn't work out. Get em turned because they are warped and put them on and drive it again and they warp again, once warped always warped, like some people I know.

 

[jpitz31]

Thanks @sportyrick, Years ago I use to turn the rotors on my cars. But have not done that in many years.

 

[Tin Roadtube Vagrant]

I've had mine lathed/trued with good success. No follow up issues in the years following. Metal price is through the roof, rotors also through the roof, better off.

 

[Rucker]

I can't tell you how many times I've taken rotors to the car parts store only to be told they can't be turned. I think I was able to get one turned, once.

On the West Coast O'Reilly's turns rotors. Won't hurt to try, they're not going to turn one that is bad.