Are rusted rotors dangerous or just annoying?

Question

I recently took my car into the shop because the breaks were making a popping sound and were pretty loud. According to the technician, my rotors are rusted and it will cost about $450 to fix them--rotors are not covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Should I get them fixed now or are they more of an annoyance that can wait to be fixed?

Answer 1

Rotors rust overnight every night if the humidity is high enough. The first time you apply your brakes the rust is scoured off by the brake pads.

You would have to have parked with the wheel under water for a week to have a rust build up that was sufficiently severe to require machining or replacement of the rotor.

Even then, if your rotors have not been machined before, they can be resurfaced and restored to like new operation for about $85.

I would take it to another shop - or to the dealer and get a second opinion. It sounds like you do have a problem - but it could be as simple as worn pads or grease that got on the pads.

Answer 2

For starters, you don't "fix" rotors; you either resurface them (grind them smooth) or replace them. Judging by the price you were quoted, I assume they want to replace them because the rust is not just some minor surface rust...it evidently has pitted the rotors and they are pitted too badly to resurface without grinding away too much of the rotor's surface. The brake specialists have rules they must follow; if there isn't at least a certain thickness of metal on the rotor then they cannot legally resurface it...thus they are quoting you for new rotors because resurfacing would take the old ones below the minimum required thickness. You could go elsewhere and get another opinion, but I'm thinking this is the case.

The rotor is an essential brake component; it is what the brake pads grab onto to stop the vehicle. If the price sounds high to you, you can get other quotes from other places that do brakes, but the work needs done regardless. Frankly, I recently had to do new rotors on one of my vehicles- and that price sounds about right, including labor. You could save money doing the work yourself, if you are so inclined and have the proper tools; check your local Auto Zone, NAPA, etc. to see what the savings would be, and what's needed.

No matter what, this can be an important and potentially dangerous situation if left as it is....so take care of it promptly. Otherwise you risk serious brake damage and possible loss of vehicle control.

Hope this info helped.

Answer 3

Sorry to say, but you're being ripped off or taken to the cleaners.

It should not cost you $450 dollars to to replace or machine your rotors, unless you're driving a NASCAR race car. Normally new rotors sell for anywhere between $20 to $50 dollars a piece.

Call your local auto parts store, Advance Auto, Auto Zone, or Napa, and tell them what kind of car you have and they'll be able to give you a price on rotors. Then you can go back to your mechanic and tell him to kiss your ***.

Also, all break rotors have rust that forms on them, this is normal and disappears once you apply the breaks.

Answer 4

Rusted rotors will cause poor braking and obviously your car won't stop as good as it should in an emergency, so it makes more sense to do them for safety reasons. Sometimes rotors can be simpy machined instead of replacing, this might be cheaper. Ask your dealer about it. I'd fix them.

Answer 5

I have always been told just annoying. I have taken mine in for sqeaking a couple of times and was told it was rust on the rotors and it was not big deal. It would wear off in a short time of driving. I never had problems so I always believed them.

Answer 6

It can also be dangerous because rust makes an abrasive surface which will cause the pads to wear faster.