Should I Have My Brake Rotors Resurfaced or Replaced?

Brake pads wear out. It is inevitable. Most drivers understand that the friction material on a pair of brake pads gets used up over time, kind of like an eraser on a pencil. So most anticipate replacing the brake pads as part of routine maintenance on their cars, trucks, or SUVs. But what about the surface the brake pads rub against? Does that wear out too? Do other parts need to be replaced along with the brake pads?

What is a brake rotor?

A brake rotor is a component of a disc brake system included on most cars on the road today. The rotor is a metal disc that is attached to the hub and bearing, and to the wheel. The brake pads are sandwiched around the rotor, so when a driver steps on the brake pedal, the brake pads squeeze the rotor and cause it, along with the wheel, to slow and stop.

Over time, the brake rotor will wear down, just like the brake pads, though not as quickly. The life of a brake rotor depends upon factors such as the type of brake pads used on the car (for instance, semi-metallic pads are more aggressive than ceramic pads), the amount of exposure to road salt and moisture, and even the quality of the rotor itself.

Driving habits will influence the life of a brake rotor as well. Pulling a trailer or carrying a heavy load, winding up and down a mountain road, and aggressive braking all contribute to excessive heat buildup in the braking system and wear on the components – especially the pads and rotors.

What does it mean to resurface a brake rotor?

Brake rotors do not always wear down evenly. They can develop pits or cracks or corrosion. And they can warp from too much heat. Sometimes imperfections from the manufacturing process can lead to a rotor wearing unevenly. Rotors can also be damaged by other brake and suspension system components, such as a bad brake caliper.

In the past (and sometimes in the present) brake rotors were manufactured with enough substance, enough thickness, to have the surface reconditioned, or “resurfaced,” on a machine. This machine, called a brake lathe, would remove enough material to make the rotors smooth and even again. It was not uncommon for a rotor to last through two or three brake pad changes. Each time the brake pads were replaced, the brake rotors would be resurfaced so that the contact surface was like new.

While not as routine as in the past, brake rotor resurfacing is still a frequent practice. And new machines, such as on-car brake lathes, make the process more precise. As long as there is enough thickness on a rotor and it is not significantly warped or cracked, resurfacing is a solid option.

When should brake rotors be resurfaced?

Whenever the brake pads on your car need to be replaced, the rotors need to be evaluated. A technician will assess the rotors to determine if they are candidates for resurfacing. To ensure that the contact surface on the rotor will mate properly with the pads for smooth and safe braking, manufacturers and technicians alike recommend that brake rotors be resurfaced whenever the brake pads are being replaced.

The key to having the rotors resurfaced is having enough thickness to accommodate the process. The brake lathe needs to shave off enough metal to create a new surface for the brake pads to grab. So, a technician will visually inspect the rotors for signs of damage and take precise measurements to determine if there is enough material to work with. In cases where the rotors are thick enough for resurfacing (so that the minimum thickness specification is not exceeded), resurfacing can be performed.

Why would I replace my rotors instead?

Today, many brake rotors are manufactured to be thinner in order to save weight. But because they are thinner, the rotors may have less ability to dissipate heat, may tend to warp more easily, and may contain less material for resurfacing. Some manufacturers even recommend that rotors not be resurfaced at all. Instead, they recommend that, as long as the rotor is in good condition, the pads should be replaced. Once the rotors show signs of wear, out they go.

Sometimes rotors become too worn out or damaged to replace. Sometimes they have already been resurfaced the maximum number of times. If rotors show signs of significant wear or damage, or if they measure below the minimum thickness specification, they are usually replaced.

Another reason that rotors might be replaced, even if they have never been resurfaced in the past, is cost. The low price of many replacement rotors makes it easier and cheaper to simply replace the parts rather than have them resurfaced. Most technicians recommend replacing rotors as a pair. Even so, this option avoids the time and expense of resurfacing.

So, if your brakes are in need of repair or replacement, have a qualified technician Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto thoroughly inspect the brake system. If the rotors do not show signs of cracking or severe damage, and if they have enough thickness, your technician may recommend resurfacing. On the other hand, if the rotors are significantly damaged, have exceeded the minimum thickness specification, or if new rotors are more cost effective option, replacement might be the answer.

Next time you find your car in need of brake repair, remember to ask about your option to resurface or replace your brake rotors.

Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto | Author: Mike Ales | Copyright December 2017

This article is intended only as a general guidance document and relying on its material is at your sole risk. By using this general guidance document, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto and its affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, arising from or related to your use of this guidance document. To the extent fully permissible under applicable law, Hogan & Sons Tire and Auto makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the information, content, or materials included in this document. This reservation of rights is intended to be only as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the laws of your State of residence.