Thoughts on these rotors?

[JML07denali]

I bought 4 new ceramic pads as it was time to replace them.. What are your thoughts on the rotors? Should I keep them,resurface them or replace them. They don't squeak,pull or vibrate when brakes are applied.

Front:

Rear:

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[iLikeEggs]

Although they look smooth, it's always best to mate new brake pads with a newly turned surface, ceramics especially. You always want the new pads to seat properly and evenly. With organic and semi-metallic you can get away with a non-machined surface as the new pads will quickly wear and conform to an uneven and even slightly grooved surface. Granted, that's not a "best practice" though. If the rotors are cracked or deeply grooved I would definitely get new ones. If you put new pads on questionable worn, cracked or thin rotors you may experience one wheel locking up before the others or having the car pull to one side suddenly due to the uneven pressure created by severely out of spec rotors.

With ceramic pads, bare minimum I would definitely have the rotors turned. Whoever turns them should measure them for minimum thickness to see if they are still within specs. If they are too thin or will be below minimum thickness after turning, then there is danger of poor performance or glazing as rotors which are too thin can not absorb and dissipate heat efficiently. For what they may charge you to turn them though you might as well just go and get a couple of new ones.

Your mileage of course, may vary.
Bottom line, err... have them turned or buy new ones. Think about the tremendous loads that are put on the pads and rotors by our big, massive vehicles. Cheers

 

[JML07denali]

Thanks for the advice. I decided if I'm going to be changing pads I might as well swap in new rotors and be done with it. It makes no sense to take all apart again within a year to replace the rotors.


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[01Konvict]

Looks like you could use pads anyhow in the last picture. Get new rotors and pads

 

[Big Poppa Pump]

Thanks for the advice. I decided if I'm going to be changing pads I might as well swap in new rotors and be done with it. It makes no sense to take all apart again within a year to replace the rotors.


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I always use new rotors in all of the brake jobs I've completed. However, most of my experience has come from Mercedes. I have only done my '99 Tahoe twice.

 

[OHSIXX]

Rotors of today are made to be thrown away instead of turning IMO. Like others have said its best to mate up a new set of pads with new rotors. I just did Powerstop ones through rockauto and they were very reasonably priced.

 

[iLikeEggs]

One more thing to add... if you do go with new rotors, make sure that you spray them down with brake clean. They are usually wrapped in plastic and may look clean but they all usually have a coating to prevent surface rust when on the shelf at the parts store. While the coatings aren't as bad as the cosmoline that they used to use, if you don't spray it off you may see some smoking when applying the brakes. This can also cause the caliper to overheat and lock as well. Brake cleaner is a cheap investment. One can per wheel should do each new rotor and remove most of the dust from the caliper. Store brand works just as well as name brand. There's also environmentally friendly brake clean if you're into that sort of thing. I suppose that when you spray it a hippie pops out and shames all of the brake dust into flying off the caliper. Lol.

 

[JML07denali]

One more thing to add... if you do go with new rotors, make sure that you spray them down with brake clean. They are usually wrapped in plastic and may look clean but they all usually have a coating to prevent surface rust when on the shelf at the parts store. While the coatings aren't as bad as the cosmoline that they used to use, if you don't spray it off you may see some smoking when applying the brakes. This can also cause the caliper to overheat and lock as well. Brake cleaner is a cheap investment. One can per wheel should do each new rotor and remove most of the dust from the caliper. Store brand works just as well as name brand. There's also environmentally friendly brake clean if you're into that sort of thing. I suppose that when you spray it a hippie pops out and shames all of the brake dust into flying off the caliper. Lol.

Yep they were greasy. Sprayed them down with brake cleaner and wiped them down with a clean cloth. The rear brake pads and rotors were toast! I'm glad I replaced all four. I also replaced all the caliper slide pins with new well greased ones. Went for a ride and everything worked as planned.


Thanks all for the advice![emoji106]




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[iLikeEggs]

That looks awesome!! Nice work. Nothing like the feel of fresh brakes a the way around. Imagine all the weight of that truck coming to a grinding halt all with the power of your big toe? It's pretty cool when you think about it.

 

[JML07denali]

Well...I learned my lesson today. Make sure to install your rear brake pads the right way. I had the squeal pad on the outer side of disc. And the outer pad on the inner side of the disc. The wrong pads rivets dug right into the piston and crushed it.

Had to replace it with a new caliper today.


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