QA

How To Resurface Rotors Yourself

Can you resurface rotors at home?

You would need a brake lathe to be able to do that. So unless you have one of them, no you can’t resurface rotors at home. Most rotors today are too thin to be able to resurface and new rotors are not much more expensive, if at all, from resurfacing.

Can I just resurface my rotors?

If your brake rotors have sufficient metal remaining with no hard spots, cracks, severe grooving or rusting, then the rotors could be resurfaced. If the brake discs are still smooth they may not need to be resurfaced, but most professional brake mechanics will not install new brake pads without resurfacing the rotors.

Can I sand down my rotors?

Can I hand sand brake rotors? You cannot hand sand brake rotors and expect to get satisfactory results. The machining of brake rotors requires too much precision for hand sanding. Furthermore, it would take much longer to do this task by hand, even if you could achieve the exact specifications.

Is it worth it to resurface rotors?

Those severely damaged rotors usually need to be replaced, not resurfaced. Some vehicle manufacturers even require that you replace your rotors rather than resurface them. Otherwise, most industry experts suggest that you should replace them every 30-70K miles.

Does O’Reilly resurface rotors?

Drum & Rotor Resurfacing Most O’Reilly Auto Parts locations can resurface your vehicle’s drums and rotors if they measure within specs and aren’t showing signs of extreme wear. Surface finish is crucial to proper vehicle braking and pad life and should always be part of a complete brake job.

Can rotors be turned?

Your rotors can be turned (rotated), machines and still be within factory guidelines, but this usually leaves them thin whereby leaving them to warp or vibrate. The cost for turning a rotor runs anywhere from $15 to $25 per rotor.

Does Les Schwab resurface rotors?

Whenever possible, we resurface rather than replace rotors, to save you money when new parts aren’t necessary. Resurfacing provides a proper finish for new brake pads to mate with, helping prevent brake vibration and pulsation. When a rotor is worn beyond specifications, we install Professional Grade® replacements.

How much does resurfacing rotors cost?

Resurfacing cost per rotor can vary widely. If you remove your rotors yourself and take them to a shop or parts store for resurfacing, the cost can range from as little as $15 to over $45 per rotor. To have a repair shop remove, resurface and reinstall your rotors can cost up to $100 per wheel, $400 for the whole car.

Can I resurface my rotors with sandpaper?

No. If your rotors are in need of resurfacing, only a brake lathe will do the job. Sanding by hand will not only take an extremely long time to remove enough material, but you may end up removing too much material or end up with an uneven rotor (which will only further necessitate the use of a brake lathe).

Can you smooth out a rotor?

Resurfacing Your Rotors Sometimes your rotors may need to be resurfaced because they have worn unevenly, warped from heat, or become damaged by worn brake pads or pitted from corrosion or rust. Resurfacing rotors removes some of their metal, until the surface is smooth and even again.

Will AutoZone resurface rotors?

Like an O’Reilly Auto Parts shop, AutoZone may offer to replace your brake rotors if they have a mechanic’s service in the back. Many auto parts stores are built-in with mechanic shops in larger cities, as the two work together.

Is it cheaper to resurface or replace rotors?

Cost: It is sometimes cheaper to replace the rotor than to resurface the rotor. You can get after-market brake rotors for a fairly low price, making it more cost-effective than either spending time doing the labor of resurfacing yourself or hiring and paying someone else to resurface your rotors.

How long do rotors last after being resurfaced?

On paper, brake rotors can last anywhere between 30,000 and 70,000 miles—some of them even longer than that. However, there are several factors that affect the lifespan of your rotors.

Can you use emery cloth on rotors?

Do not use regular sand paper or emery cloth as the aluminum oxide abrasive material will permeate the cast iron surface and make the condition worse. Do not bead blast or sand blast the discs for the same reason. ‘Apr 4, 2015.

What causes rotors to glaze?

In most cases, vibrating brakes stem from the build-up of debris on the brake rotor’s surface. This phenomenon, known as glazing, happens when brake pads become overheated. This causes the pads to become soft enough that some of their material transfers to the surface of the rotor, leading to an uneven surface.

Should brake rotors be shiny?

Brake rotors are typically shiny metal discs on your vehicle that can be seen through the wheel towards the inside of the wheel well. It is important that the surface of the rotor remains very flat so that the brake pad is in constant contact while braking.