Well i am about to head to the dealer to pick up a set of motorcraft rotors, $71 each...not bad. I am buying them on the recommendation of the service advisor. My questions are, 1) With only 36,000 miles is it possible for the stock rotors to need replacing? There is no vibration, shutter, anything. 2) How do rotors get worn down in the first place. I understand the whole brake system, but it seems odd that a solid metal rotor is going to be worn down by the friction material in the pads. 3) What purpose does machining the rotors do? If they are not glazed over or warped then why machine?
Brake component question
- Thread starter Fla02LS
- Start date
mholhut
Dedicated LVC Member
Irregularities in the pad (i.e. debris) and normal wear can cause the rotor to groove. If you take your finger and rub the rotor (when it's cool) you can feel some ripples in the rotor. Which mean that you could either turn the rotor or buy new one's.
I've never machined rotors... I tend to warp them too easy so I like as much material between the pads as possible. Machining them just removes the grooves fromt he surface so the pad had more of a bite. I just buy new one's wne they get kind of thin. Also, rotors tend to wear differently from each side of the rotor. One rotor can have extreme wear on the inside and have plenty of surface left on the outside.
I've never machined rotors... I tend to warp them too easy so I like as much material between the pads as possible. Machining them just removes the grooves fromt he surface so the pad had more of a bite. I just buy new one's wne they get kind of thin. Also, rotors tend to wear differently from each side of the rotor. One rotor can have extreme wear on the inside and have plenty of surface left on the outside.
pbslmo
Lincoln LS rules
I was told that those are machined to get surface glaze removed and any imperfections. I don't understand also. I complained about my brakes squealing in Sept. They machined the rotors, left the ceramic pads and charged me $100.00 among other things. I complained in Oct. and they again machined the rotors and replaced the frt pads with motorcarft and charging me 164.99 + disposal fee...plus additional work. I had to take the car in this past Monday because some yahoo broke in through the drivers lock and I agin complained the brakes were still squealing. They tried to charge me another 164.99, but I had gone to their website prior and printed off the coupon that did not state the price was per axel. So they said they would honor it. Well, by the time I returned to work, they had removed that coupon from their site. They called and said they also had to replace the ball joints. (covered by my warrenty)
Today they called and the total price of this visit. $512.24. Brakes free, Ball joints - $100.00, replacing the driver door cyclinder, rekeying, and labor. $412.24!!!!
That car better run and ride like a dream now!! I've spent over $1000.00 in 3 months. I don't mind spending that amount of money, but I better have brakes that don't squeal!!!!!!
Today they called and the total price of this visit. $512.24. Brakes free, Ball joints - $100.00, replacing the driver door cyclinder, rekeying, and labor. $412.24!!!!
That car better run and ride like a dream now!! I've spent over $1000.00 in 3 months. I don't mind spending that amount of money, but I better have brakes that don't squeal!!!!!!
Your scenerio seems like a plot to machine and machine and machine until they can get you for new rotors which isnt covered under warranty. My service advisor had said that it looked like they had been machined before and done pretty poorly. So whoever the idiot is that had my car before i guess did some crappy work on it. I cant believe how heavy the new rotors are, gotta be atleast 30-35 lbs. The poor parts guy carried them to the counter one at a time, thought that was funny, little guy. Now when they install these new ones they dont need and machining do they? Are they are ok to go right from the box to the car or is there some kind of coating to them?
rmac694203
Dedicated LVC Member
You don't machine them new. You might want to clean them with brake cleaner.