Auto Brake Repair - Do the rotors need to be replaced?
Auto Brake Repair - Do the rotors need to be replaced?
I have a Landrover Freelander and the brakes started grinding and I drove no more than 10 miles after the grinding started. The mechanic showed me the pads one had gone to metal. I looked at the rotors and saw no damage. He says I have to replace the rotors and refuses to do the repairs. My question is do the rotors need to be replaced?
Answers:
dirty n: maybe..... maybe not......... i would suggest getting the rotors and taking them to like a napa auto store and see if they could turn them meaning even the surface out............if not then yeah you'll have to. you should do it yourself though, its not that hard. rotors arent that expensive
2006-10-30 09:53:46
2006-10-30 09:53:46
yonitan: you can test the rotors by running your finger over the edge. if there is a lip on the outer edge, you need new rotors. it takes a while for bad pads to wear down the rotors
2006-10-30 09:54:36
2006-10-30 09:54:36
al: Only if they are too thin. The minimum thickness is cast into them. It will be like min/ 1.875.
2006-10-30 09:54:49
2006-10-30 09:54:49
jason M: If the rotors have any grooves in them, yes How to tell if they look ok then run your finger nail over them if there isnt anything bad then they can just be spun and leveled out for WAY less than replacing them but if grooves are deep then replace them
2006-10-30 09:54:59
2006-10-30 09:54:59
fr2fish: No but scored or bad rotors will wear down new pads a lot sooner that good rotors. The damage may not be that visible to you. The rotors may be warped cause by heat with bad pad's. It is usually a good idea to replace both pads and rotors at the same time. With rear drum brakes you can get away with only replacing the pads a couple of times. My suggestion is to sell the Land Rover and buy a good Ford F150.
2006-10-30 09:58:44
2006-10-30 09:58:44
GQsmooth: no unless they have a sensor on the rotor to where you cant resurface the rotor... But no you dont have to replace the rotor.
2006-10-30 09:59:28
2006-10-30 09:59:28
mrgadget55: Yes it will be done right the first time than.
You can have them machined but that makes them thinner and more prone to warping and than you will go back to him and complain.
He wants to do the job right the first time.
2006-10-30 09:59:59
2006-10-30 09:59:59
Good White Boy: The rotors can be resurfaced if they are not too thin. They can be measured with a micrometer to see if there is enough metal left to resurface. Usually if they have never been resurfaced before and there is not much damage to the rotor it can be resurfaced. Some repair places like to sell new rotors rather than resurface because it is more profitable and faster to do.
2006-10-30 10:00:27
2006-10-30 10:00:27
loon_mallet_wielder: The only way he can tell if they need to be replaced is by resurfacing them and then measuring them with calipers to see if they are under the minimum width allowable for that particular rotor, which as was mentioned is cast or stamped onto the rotor somewhere. Your problem is that you are being held hostage by a dishonest mechanic who has your car taken apart and won't repair it unless you let him soak you for extra. Live and learn.
As was also mentioned before, brakes are pretty easy to do yourself if you have any mechanical aptitude.
2006-10-30 10:00:59
2006-10-30 10:00:59
Chosen Answer
Wanger: If the rotors have never been turned before and the grooves are not more than about 1/2" to 3/4" of an inch deep or less, you can take them and have them turned or resurfaced. It sounds like to more that the refusing to make the repairs is trying to jack the price up by adding on some parts. Without looking at the rotors I can't be sure. Have them taken off and carry them to a reportable machine shop and have them miked. It is the only way to be sure. Also, If it was a dealership, most of them won't make the repairs unless they replace the rotors. That way they can warranty the work they do.
2006-10-30 10:12:54
Wanger: If the rotors have never been turned before and the grooves are not more than about 1/2" to 3/4" of an inch deep or less, you can take them and have them turned or resurfaced. It sounds like to more that the refusing to make the repairs is trying to jack the price up by adding on some parts. Without looking at the rotors I can't be sure. Have them taken off and carry them to a reportable machine shop and have them miked. It is the only way to be sure. Also, If it was a dealership, most of them won't make the repairs unless they replace the rotors. That way they can warranty the work they do.
2006-10-30 10:12:54