Rotor/Brake Pad Wear Opinions

[stikx]

what is TLC? i know it has to do with the cars exterior which i know nothing about...and why do people need to machine their brakes?

[Swifty1638]

tlc= tender lovin care! Anyway, where are you getting this from?

The reason people machine their brakes is so that they can get the rotors to last longer. When machining brakes, you are turning the rotors in a lathe. This lathe has a diamond tip (about 80 bucks to replace) that scrapes your rotors. It basically gives you a fresh surface to drive with. Also, a lathe can fix a warped rotor (when you get a pulsation in the brake pedul under braking). Those are the main reasons to machine the rotors. Now, there is a minimum thickness that a rotor can be. Every shop should have a book with the specs for each make and model to turn each rotor to. If you machine it past that point, then the rotor looses rigidity, and starts flaking apart. Pads are usually always replaced when you turn your rotors. You cannot turn these. Also, it's most likely more cost-effective to just replace the rotors and pads when you pressed-on rotors. That's because you will need to replace the bearing in the middle. The rotor is pressed onto the hub itself, and those bearings don't usually last when they are punched out to remove the rotor from the hub. So, clifnotes: machine rotors = longer life, safer braking. If not pressed on rotors, it's also mroe cost-effective. Anything else?

-A. Swift

[MATCHBX]

Most cars do not have pressed on rotors. Most slip over the hub. There are some very unique ones out there though that do. DSM's don't have pressed on hubs. Older cars with from disk brakes were one piece where you would have to take off the nut that held the bearings in and slide the rotor off of the spindle.

If your rotor is warped, 9 times out of 10 they can not be machined and stay within spec. It is more time efficient to just replace the rotors. But more cost effective to have them machined. It usually costs around $8-10 per rotor to have them turned. But the prices of most rotors are so cheap now that it's better to just replace them.

The minimum spec is also cast into every rotor. Although, with as much rust that gets into the non-friction areas, you usually can't read it anyways.

[Raptor]

Holy Shit, Erik was right for once.

[Swifty1638]

I wasn't sure if the dsm's had pressed-on rotors or not. My honda as them, and I needed new rotors, bearings and pads when I did them. Erik was also right about the warped part. Sometimes you can fix a warped rotor, but at it's most offset point, It may be below specs, and not turnable. That's why most shops, IF it's bad enough, will go with new rotors.

-A. Swift

[MATCHBX]

Holy Shit, Erik was right for once.


Yep. I've seen a car or two in my time.... ;)

[Raptor]

It has nothing to do with that, I am pretty sure terina gave you the answer.

[AJ]

The Learning Channel. Check your local listings!

[Raptor]

On another note, this brings up a point that needs to be made before it happens again. If you respond to a tech thread to be helpful, great. Make sure you are qualified to give an answer based on the type of vehicle in question. Case in point, the pressed bearings being brought up when they are not relevant to these cars can cause confusion to people who don't know. This isn't to slam you swifty, your input is appreciated, just make sure it is completely applicable.

[Swifty1638]

That's what I should have put in parenthesis, as I was unsure if they are pressed on or not.

-A. Swift