Can i turn rotors

People just don't want to do it anymore like they used to. Parts prices and quality has dropped. It seems like on-car brake latches are the new thing.

Just another overpriced gizmo to buy on credit. I'm glad the guy at the end of bay has a brake lathe. It's saved us time sourcing some drums and our customers money. Robbie B Well-known member. Joined Jun 24, Messages 1, Location Sunny side of hell. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Joined Jan 25, Messages I've always just replaced the rotors. Rarely have I ever had to warranty or replace them before I've sold the vehicle. Farmall Well-known member. I guess the problem I have with all the aftermarket rotors that I have tried is that the metal falls apart within a couple of years, joys of living in the rust belt.

They are just not the same quality as an OE part. Aftermarket rotors are cheap now because they are cheap, the quality is just crap. Back maybe 10 or 12 years ago GM came out with a less expensive brake products line under the AC Delco brand they were just relabeled Raybestos blue box.

These brake parts were about half the retail cost of the genuine GM parts. This move did make the dealership more competitive in the market but at the cost of quality. We had nothing but problems with this line of products.

I'm impressed that you go through the work of checking runout when mounting rotors. Very few techs do that these days, most of the other techs I worked with thought I was wasting my time checking runout.

Locker said:. Mecha Well-known member. Thank God there is places that still do it. I recently had my wife's rotors and pads replaced with new Powerstop branded stuff from Rock Auto just before a cross country move. After trailering a few different times the brakes pulsated badly. Also we live on a mountain now. I'd had them for 6 months. Took it to a local long time shop they took a look, did a turn on them and now they work perfect. Apparently the installer never bed the brakes.

Also to those who are looking for good close to OEM quality, I've had excellent luck with Powerstop pads and rotors. Multiple cars and trucks. Well-known member. I have my own brake lathe. I turn mostly drums. Here in the northeast rotors are not worth turning after years in the snow and salt. ScottsGT Well-known member. Years ago I use to have luck with turning them, but for the past 15 year or so, just replace them. They lasted about 2 weeks, or until the first rainy day and warped again.

I cannot tell you how many sets of budget rotors I swapped until I realized I was just beating my head against the wall. FWIW, my personal experience on turning warped rotors is that once warped, they will warp again after they were turned. And easier because now they are thinner. ScottsGT said:. I think i am the same as most people if i am doing brakes i like to have everything i need ahead of time.

No way i want to have a car sitting up on jack stands waiting for them to be turned. I guess one could buy one replacement and then if your original rotors were still thick enough you could send those out and they would be waiting. But it could be YEARs! Rotors just sitting around tend to rust even if stored in garage or something.

M6erfan Well-known member. Joined Dec 6, Messages 6, Location 'Merica! I always replace with O. Haven't had rotors turned since the 90's. MileHighRover said:. When changing the pads on my wife's minivan I called a bunch of local shops and couldn't find a shop that would turn the rotors. Around here I just don't think there are enough people that need the service, and maybe the shops don't want to deal with such small dollar jobs.

Also, for the time and hassle of bringing the rotors somewhere and waiting I'd rather just buy new ones. A mechanic can take multiple measurements around the rotor with a micrometer to determine how much variation or warping is present.

Brake rotors for front wheel drive vehicles are fairly inexpensive. Your rotors can be turned rotated , machines and still be within factory guidelines, but this usually leaves them thin whereby leaving them to warp or vibrate. During a brake service, you technician needs to verify that each rotor is not warped and meets the legal minimum thickness specification. Every rotor that falls within these specifications is turned on a lathe and then sanded on both sides for smooth, non-directional finish.

This is the correct way to "turn" rotors that need to be machined, and it provides a smooth surface for the new pads. Unfortunately, by turning every rotor that measures up, regardless of need, you lose preconditioned rotor surfaces. Turning a "good" rotor makes it thinner and reduces its ability to absorb and dissipate heat.

By turning this good rotor yo may cause warp in the near future when simply replacing the rotor assures you this problem will not occur. Limited time offer! Other restrictions may apply. Automatically at checkout. Ends in. Search Account Please wait This may be hard to see, but can be heard easily by turning the lathe to a low speed and gradually tightening the facers.

From this point, the general standard is to remove at least two millimeters a side. More may be required depending on what condition of rotor you are working with. After the cutting is done, you may want to take a second measurement to ensure that the rotor is still useable.

Equally important is a visual inspection of the surface. Look for the same kind of damage mentioned earlier, and discard the rotor if any is found. It is worth mentioning here that the machinery needed to do this can be incredibly dangerous. The lathe in particular is fully capable of amputating an unwary user. Avoid accidents by staying well clear of the rotor itself or turning it off if you feel unconfident. Take a moment beforehand to safely secure long hair, loose clothing, jewelry, and anything else that might get caught in the cutting assembly.

If brake pads are changed at a regular interval, brake rotors can last over 80, miles. Depending on your driving style and conditions, brake pads can last 20, miles or longer. If pads are changed before reaching the wear indicator, the surface remains smooth and consistent, protecting the surface of the rotor.

If the brake pads are ever allowed to wear past the indicator, the surface becomes inconsistent and begins to dig into the surface of the rotor. The reduced effectiveness of the brake pads also generates excess heat, which can warp the rotors out of shape. In this case, repair or replacement is required immediately. When deciding your position on turning versus replacing, you must understand that you have more to consider than your personal safety.

You have a responsibility to everyone sharing the road with you to keep your vehicle in a state that allows it to be operated safely. You may not have a family to consider, but the person in the car in front of you just might. Your email address will not be published. Top Picks Blog. Table of Contents. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Leave this field empty.