Resurfacing Drilled Rotors

[jose]

It is possible to resurface drilled rotors?

According to the mechanic it need new rotors and brake pads, he stated that is not possible to resurface the rotors.

It's okay to replace the brake pads without resurface if need it?

I'm in the process to replace the brake pads as is suggested in the maintenance forum.

Please help

[Dharn55]

Check the rotors for cracks and for the thickness to see if they are less than the minimum. If not cracked or below the minimum thickness, and they are not too grooved you can reuse them. It has become sort of standard to replace the rotors with the pads but if they are in good condition you can get two or three sets of pads before you replace the rotors. How many miles on the car?

[ericinboca]

+1 for Dharn55 answer. Many shops will automatically replace the rotors to reduce call backs. If thickness, grooving and cracking are ok, and you don't have a rotor issues, such as a pad imprint causing judder, then you can keep using them. And no, you can't turn drilled rotors.

[jose]

126,000 :blush:

Check the rotors for cracks and for the thickness to see if they are less than the minimum. If not cracked or below the minimum thickness, and they are not too grooved you can reuse them. It has become sort of standard to replace the rotors with the pads but if they are in good condition you can get two or three sets of pads before you replace the rotors. How many miles on the car?

[jose]

I will take some pictures later on, If not, I will go to add the rotors, I just want to make sure if still able to work with the pads only.

[zoomee]

Check the rotors for cracks and for the thickness to see if they are less than the minimum. If not cracked or below the minimum thickness, and they are not too grooved you can reuse them. It has become sort of standard to replace the rotors with the pads but if they are in good condition you can get two or three sets of pads before you replace the rotors. How many miles on the car?

Some cracking at the cross drilled holes is inevitable if you track your car. This "heat checking" won't harm anything unless the cracks link adjacent holes or grow to the edge of the rotor.

[Dharn55]

At 126,000 miles if they are the original rotors then you might need to replace them.

[Loren]

Sorry, at 126,000 miles I seriously doubt there is enough rotor thickness to allow re-surfacing.

Use a micrometer to check the thickness at the the thinnest point - if it is less than 26 mm front and 22 mm rear then they are now doorstops.

And as others have said if you have cracks that extend 7 mm (or more make) or if cracks extend to edge of the disc -- then disc unsafe and unusable.

[jose]

I visually inspect the rotors and there's no cracks, I don't track my car neither.

Will post pics later.

Thanks,

At 126,000 miles if they are the original rotors then you might need to replace them.

[xmac]

It is possible. Some shops won't resurface drilled or slotted rotors, but shop around until you find one that does. Of course they need to be above the minimum thickness.

[JordanSimon]

Just had my rotors resurfaced today. Stock cross drilled. No cracks. Started at 27.5 mm front and 23.5 mm rear. After resurfacing, they are 27.2 mm and 23.2. mm. The local machine shop charged $24 each (they charge $16 for solid rotors). Also saw another set there, slotted and cross drilled fresh off the lathe. It definitely can be done and not expensive.

[jose]

Great Info Thanks,

I just need to know how I measure the rotors. From where to where?

Thanks Again,

Just had my rotors resurfaced today. Stock cross drilled. No cracks. Started at 27.5 mm front and 23.5 mm rear. After resurfacing, they are 27.2 mm and 23.2. mm. The local machine shop charged $24 each (they charge $16 for solid rotors). Also saw another set there, slotted and cross drilled fresh off the lathe. It definitely can be done and not expensive.

[xmac]

Go to a place like harbor freight, sears, or even home depot, and buy a set of calipers:

take the wheels off the car to expose the caliper, then measure the thickness in the shiny smooth section of the rotor. There will be a small lip near the outer edge of the rotor that will be thicker - don't measure there. Check the thickness compared to the minimums Loren posted (26 mm front and 22 mm rear).

[jose]

That's great, I already have one of those from harbor freight.

Thanks, Very helpful

[Loren]

Better to use a micrometer (IMHO) - since you are looking for the thinnest portion of the disc.

Problem with using calipers is that you will not get to the thinnest areas - like where a rock has ground a groove.

[jose]

You're right Loren,

There's a tiny portion in the edge that is not reach by the pads, this can lead to inaccuracy. But a wide range in the safe parameters can rule it out.

Better to use a micrometer (IMHO) - since you are looking for the thinnest portion of the disc.

Problem with using calipers is that you will not get to the thinnest areas - like where a rock has ground a groove.

Edited September 30, 2011 by jose