How will i know if i need my rotors cut?

[shadowless127]

this weekend im going to get the front brakes on the mounty done. How will I know if I need them to cut the rotors? There's not grinding and no metal on metal that I hear. Do I just need to make sure when i run my hands over them they're smooth?

I know this is an extremely n00b question, but this will be my first brake service on my first vehicle, so i figure i'd ask the experts.

 

[97awdx]

New ones are only a little more expensive, and they will last longer, with less problems.

 

[CAHUNTERMAN]

I personaly wouldn't do a brake job without turning or replacing the rotors. Lately I have just been replacing them every time because it seems like every time I had them turned they would warp within weeks, but I'm pretty hard on brakes.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

I definitely know what you mean about them warping real quick, but I also think on my end my problem is I'm buying the cheapest parts possible.

You'll know if you need them turned, most times you can feel the high and low spots, meaning you can feel it respond through the pedal, like it pushes again you and goes down. Sometimes when it gets really bad, the steering wheel will shake as well. I think at O'reilly's (if you have one around you) is not even 15 dollars a rotor to be turned.

If you're having it done though at a shop, they SHOULD tell you everything that needs to be done before they do it. Watch out though, don't let them B.S. you about a "hardware kit" or something like that. I had brakes done one time, and they charged me 40 dollars for the pins that hold my brakes in. however you'd have bolts.

 

[shadowless127]

I definitely know what you mean about them warping real quick, but I also think on my end my problem is I'm buying the cheapest parts possible.

You'll know if you need them turned, most times you can feel the high and low spots, meaning you can feel it respond through the pedal, like it pushes again you and goes down. Sometimes when it gets really bad, the steering wheel will shake as well. I think at O'reilly's (if you have one around you) is not even 15 dollars a rotor to be turned.

If you're having it done though at a shop, they SHOULD tell you everything that needs to be done before they do it. Watch out though, don't let them B.S. you about a "hardware kit" or something like that. I had brakes done one time, and they charged me 40 dollars for the pins that hold my brakes in. however you'd have bolts.

I deff feel it a bit in the pedal.

I'm taking the mounty to meineke to get it done, they gave me a pretty good price $239 plus tax for the front and that includes cutting the rotors.

 

[Sleb]

Brakes are so easy to do yourself and it takes no time at all. If you do it yourself $239 will buy you a really good brand new set of rotors and pads. Do a search, you will find all the information you need here.

 

[EasyRhino]

I measure my brake pads every time I have the wheels/tires off, about avery
10000 miles (rotation). Given that I can trend whether or not they will make it one of two more rotations. I then buy and keep new factory pads in the garage until the next rotation, and just pop off the ld pads and put on new ones in a few minutes (remember to lube the areas that slide).

This usually results in replacing pads that have several thousand miles left in them, but pads are cheap on a per 1000 mile basis, so who cares. I also notice that by not letting them get too thin, the rotors look better. I almost always do not have to turn rotors (which costs about 10-20 each here).

I just inspect them, measure the thickness, and measure run out, and if they are good, I say why remove metal.

I have only had to replace rotors on other's cars when they kept bad pads on too long and grooved the rotors, or they warped the rotors, often the result of over-tightening the wheel lug nuts (use a torque wrench not an air wrench), or - they turned them and they got too thin.

After turning rotors, I don't expect them to last as long due to thinness.

Bottom line, avoid turning them through good maintenance. Consider replacing vice turning - it might be cheaper in the long run.

Your results may vary.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

I will say this, the last time I paid someone to do my brakes was at Meineke about 2 years ago. But I was horribly ripped off, cost me over 400 dollars for 3 hours work. My rotors were turned, pads replaced, and pins replaced and lubed. The only good thing was that the brakes lasted me over a year of hard driving, and they haven't felt as good since.

I believe it mostly due to I use cheap parts, but hopefully I'll change all that over Christmas Break.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Brakes are one of those things that I'd not pay someone to fix for me- they're way too easy to do. Much better off buying some better pads with the money you'll save.

 

[1_v8_merc]

If your out for a quick fix, then getting the rotors turned is your best bet.
Just MAKE SURE they can safely turn them!
Sometimes they can be warped so badly that they cannot turn them!

You can actually BARELY see when rotors are warped, the only way I know of telling if they are warped is this...

1.) Steering wheel vibrates and pulls back and forth under heavy low end braking.
2.) Brake pedal vibrates under heavy-medium braking
3.) Taking the tire off, and LOOKING at the rotor from the direct front or back, you can sometimes see the SLIGHT surface bumps/scrapes


If you have the money, its just worth it to get NEW factory or better replacements, along with expensive brake pads.



Ive gotta get my brakes done soon too.....I might just upgrade the calipers(wonder if Cobras will fit?) Getting slotted rotors and the most expensive Pads I can find!
I drove in my buddies Nissan Sentra with top of the line Slotted Rotors and Pads, and that sucker could go from 120mph to 55 in like 2 seconds,LOL.
**** was insane!

 

[shadowless127]

im just gonna get them turned for now. When I have to get my backs done i'm just gonna get slotted all around and some nice HAWK pads. But right now I have limited time, limited money, and limited tools; which is why I'm RELUCTANTLY paying someone to do them for me. That and I know they need to be turned.

 

[CALDWELL]

any other pads out there worth looking into besides HAWKS ???...

i hear nothing but good stuff about them, just wondering if there are any other good brands to look in besides BREMBO, if they even made a pad for our application lol

Danny

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

If you hate brake dust, stay away from Duralast. I swear, every two weeks it's like I'm cleaning my rims.

 

[CALDWELL]

i agree with you, DURALAST is a " DOLLAR STORE " brake pad. if money is really tight then there awsome lol...

any other PERFORMANCE PADS to looks into ??

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Yeah, they work damn good, except to me I feel that their heat dissipation is horrible and caused my rotors to warp extremely fast. Also the brake dust is horrible.

Next go around, I'm going to spend some money on a good set of rotors, pads, and rebuild my calipers.

 

[jrford]

I got the cheap (premium), local auto store ones, don't 'feel' very good. They where Raybestos PF Metal. I am thinking of switching to Hawks but i like the EBC too, with the breakin compound. When i did my fronts at 40k they where only 10% worn so i turned them. Even with the Raybestos there is no warping. For the Rears, i tried to turn them the Disk was only 20% gone but the Drums were rusted up bad and the guys lathe had problems so i had to get new ones for the rears.