How To Know When To Replace Your Vehicle’s Rotors
December 12th, 2009 by adminHow To Know When To Replace Your Vehicle’s Rotors
When most drivers consider having their car’s brakes fixed, they usually think of the pads. And in their defense, the pads wear out more quickly than the other components (i.e. calipers, rotors, etc.). However, the rotors can sustain damage or wear and tear that will eventually affect your ability to safely stop your car. It’s important to know the warning signs.
Not all rotor-related issues justify replacements. Sometimes, they develop problems that can be resolved simply by relining or resurfacing them (for example, runout problems). That said, there are circumstances in which replacements are needed. Moreover, there are times when mechanics choose to replace the rotors even when doing so is unnecessary. We’ll explore these issues in more detail below.
The Appearance Of Hard Spots And Cracks
Hard spots are usually the result of prolonged exposure to intense heat. When you engage your car’s brakes, the pads squeeze the rotors and create friction. The friction results in heat. For example, suppose you were driving at 65 mph and applied your brakes with normal pressure. The temperature of your front rotors can climb to over 260 degrees Fahrenheit. If you habitually ride your braking system, pressing the pedal over and over, the temperature can climb into several hundreds of degrees. This can lead to hard spots.
A mechanic can resurface the rotors to remove the hard spots, but that is only a temporary solution. The hard spots will come back.
Cracks are a different type of problem, but can be caused by heat in the same way as hard spots. If the cracks are small and shallow, a mechanic can remove them by resurfacing the rotor. If the cracks are large or deep, replacements are necessary.
Worn Too Far
Rotors have a minimum thickness past which they cannot safely be resurfaced. If yours have been resurfaced multiple times in the past, you might eventually confront this problem. For example, if you develop hard spots, cracks, or severe rusting, resurfacing your rotors may not be a feasible option because they are already worn too thin. In that case, replacing them is the only alternative.
Why Mechanics Recommend Replacements
As noted, mechanics often recommend replacing rotors, even if doing so is unnecessary (i.e. they would still be usable after resurfacing). There are a few reasons why auto technicians do this. First, the price of rotors has declined significantly over the last decade. Replacements are less expensive, which makes them a more attractive option than resurfacing old rotors. Second, a lot of repair shops don’t have the lathe required to do the resurfacing. Given the option of installing replacements or referring you to another shop, they’ll often choose the former.
If you are experiencing a pulsating pedal or pulling sensation when you apply your car’s brakes, the problem is likely with your rotors. Have your mechanic determine whether they can be resurfaced or if replacing them is a better solution.
Tags: Car Maintenance, Car Rotors, Car SteeringRelated Car Posts
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