With a new car, do you need the rotors cut the first time it needs brakes.?

Question

I just had my brakes done the first time on this car. The dealer was overpriced at $300 for the fronts. The brakes had plenty of pad left so the rotors were not bad. I think they said they wouldn't turn the rotors. I got a lower cost guy instead of the dealer for $140 but he was going to do the rotors. But I had to think that he wanted to do the rotors so that the next time he could sell me new rotors. Can you put on new pads without turning the rotors. I probably could have done the new pads myself for hardly anything.

The guy said rotors can only be turned once. Is that true?

Answer 1

if you do yourself it is not economical to turn the rotors. i never do and my whole familys cars are fine. you will lose probly 1-2% of your pad by not turning them but at relitivly low cost of pads who cares. all the shops will tell you, you do no matter what but ive found that most shops rip offs any way, that will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of your wallet. so if they told you all they need is turning then chances are they are in good shape, dont waste your money.

Answer 2

Ah yes, the old brake rotor issue rises again! I think that the "Myth Busters" should do a show on this one! Yes, you can change the brake pads without turning the rotors! The whole purpose of having smooth flat surfaces on a brake rotor is to prevent premature or "excessive" wear on the pads, which are a dime a dozen to replace anyway! As to the issue of safety, you are far more likely to create a hazard by turning them down too much, than if you just let them be worn or even grooved by over worn pads. Unless the rotor becomes so thin from over wear or overturning that the stroke of the caliper can't reach it with a worn out pad, you will be able to stop the car! The notion that you have to automatically turn the rotors whenever you change pads is pure BS! Even if any wear or warp age to a rotor at all, were critical (and they are not!); you can buy the damn things new for the same or lower price than having them turned in most cases. Are you the "exception"? Go to a self service wrecking yard and you will find "like new" used ones very cheap! Even the most difficult front brakes to service are well within the ability of even a first time beginner to change the pads and/or rotors yourself. Bottom line: It is very rare and unlikely that you will ever need to do anything with the rotors!

Answer 3

To really have a good brake job,you should always resurface your rotors. The rotors can be resurfaced @4x depending on how bad it is. The reason to resurface the rotors is so that the new pads has a new surface to grab on to. Most of the time when you change the pads and not resurface the rotors, the rotors has a smooth/glazed surface and the new pads may not seat right and you get noise. Not alot of shop like to do this because it takes time to resurface the rotors and as you may know time is money. The more cars they can do, the more money they can make.

Answer 4

It's almost easier to put in new rotors than to replace pads is both need to be done. If the brakes are pulsing when you step on them, the rotors need work or the rears are out of round. If not, just change pads and don't forget the to lube the sliders.

Answer 5

You really need a dial indicator to measure the run out on the rotors. Then if the rotors are warped and need to be turned, then you need a micrometer to measure the thinkness of the rotors to be sure that they are thicker than the minimum thickness required.
Good luck with the car.

Answer 6

I would just get the front pads at Autozone for 30-40 dollars, and replace them yourself and don't worry about the rotors. All you have to do is knock the pins out, take the old pads out and put new ones in.

Answer 7

if brakes dont pulsate dont turn yes you could of done them yourself for almost nothing you wouldnt believe the owners that are afaid to work on new cars actually cars are simpler today but you need equipment whick most people dontanyways back to rotors gm told us not to turn unless they pulsate.hope this helps

Answer 8

the did need to be put on a machine and checked,and if needed they should have been turned,its not very often you can get by without having to turn them,as long as their not warped or anything they,ll be ok for now,but if you notice them wobbling when you apply the breaks they will have to be turned ,good luck on it.