Will Brake Rotor Problems Lead to Brake Replacement?
Your vehicle's braking system is it's most important safety feature. A major and often overlooked component of most systems are the brake rotors. They are what the pads grip when stopping the vehicle. During a brake replacement, you may find your rotors need attention. They can sometimes be resurfaced (referred to in the industry as "cut"). This process involves measuring the rotor using a micrometer at several spots. If there is enough rotor remaining to cut them safely and stay within manufacturer specifications, the rotor is put on the machine and cut to level it out.
Your brake rotors have a minimum thickness set by the manufacturer. The most common reason you might need to replace them is simply wear. In other cases, rotors may be pitted, warped, or grooved, causing vibration or noise. These kinds of defects are usually caused by too much heat to the rotors or inadequate pad material digging into the rotor surface. If the rotors cannot be resurfaced, a brake replacement is necessary to ensure that your vehicle can brake smoothly and quickly.
A visual inspection of the brake rotors is usually all that is necessary to tell if they need replaced. If they are grooved or pitted they should be replaced or resurfaced during a brake replacement because they can cause problems when trying to seat the pad. Some grooves are minor enough to be filed down by hand using fine-grit sandpaper, but most will require a specialized lathe. In most cases, it is easier and more efficient to simply replace them.
Are your vehicle's brake rotors causing problems? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about brake replacement and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
Your vehicle's braking system is it's most important safety feature. A major and often overlooked component of most systems are the brake rotors. They are what the pads grip when stopping the vehicle. During a brake replacement, you may find your rotors need attention. They can sometimes be resurfaced (referred to in the industry as "cut"). This process involves measuring the rotor using a micrometer at several spots. If there is enough rotor remaining to cut them safely and stay within manufacturer specifications, the rotor is put on the machine and cut to level it out.
Your brake rotors have a minimum thickness set by the manufacturer. The most common reason you might need to replace them is simply wear. In other cases, rotors may be pitted, warped, or grooved, causing vibration or noise. These kinds of defects are usually caused by too much heat to the rotors or inadequate pad material digging into the rotor surface. If the rotors cannot be resurfaced, a brake replacement is necessary to ensure that your vehicle can brake smoothly and quickly.
A visual inspection of the brake rotors is usually all that is necessary to tell if they need replaced. If they are grooved or pitted they should be replaced or resurfaced during a brake replacement because they can cause problems when trying to seat the pad. Some grooves are minor enough to be filed down by hand using fine-grit sandpaper, but most will require a specialized lathe. In most cases, it is easier and more efficient to simply replace them.
Are your vehicle's brake rotors causing problems? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about brake replacement and to schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
