Visual Inspection of Brake Rotors

Should Brake Rotors be replaced with the Brake Pads and how does one tell? Customers present this question daily. Many think that Metal-on-Metal scars require  Brake Rotor Replacement. This semi-thorough blog posts will answer many questions. 

Warped Rotors must be replaced. When the Brake Pads can’t hold the Brake Rotors the vehicle will shake, skip, and hesitate when braking. Sometimes the steering wheel will shake. Brake Rotors don’t wear evenly, just like any other material.

Warped rotors can be resurfaced to squareness. This requires machinery. Brake Rotors can be resurfaced until they are too thin. The specifications give this information.

How to determine a Warped Rotor. One. There’s a runout test, something people in the street won’t pay for. Two. There’s a visual inspection. A smudgy dull look means the Brake Rotors are warped. Three. Most Brake Rotors warp at 100k – 120k miles.  (Please watch the YouTube video.)

Smooth to the Touch means nothing.

Scarred Rotors. Scarred Rotors don’t have to be replaced. The Brake Pads will mold to the grooves. Don’t stress what many mechanics call “Pad Slapping.” The “Pad Slapping” theory gets people killed. If a client can only afford Brake Pads, help the client be safe. In fact, Scarred Rotors don’t tear up Brake Pads, unless the entire front of the Brake Rotor is gone.