What is your preference: to turn rotors or to replace rotors?
It seems to be cheaper to turn the rotors. But it takes time to take them off, go to a shop, get them turned, and then put the old ones back on.
It seems more time efficient just to replace the rotors. Take the old ones off, but the new ones on. Done.
Scotty mentioned it before. The new rotors are thin compared to older ones and does not worth turning them.
Oh really? I had no idea. I gather rotors too have become disposable.
Yes.
Absolutely correct @yaser.
@Doc {black}:pray: {black}:pray: {black}:pray:
When it comes to rotors, I replace them.
Ten years at least but they really need to be measured with a micrometer to see if there is enough meat on them to cut a few thousands off and still be OK.
when there's a reason to do so.
No ratios.
What I mean is, from past experience, what is the approximate ratio from rotor replacement to brake pad replacement? Any patterns that arose? Or just a random distribution?
I repeat ... when there's a reason to do so.
No ratios.
Any patterns that arose? Or just a random distribution?
when there's a reason to do so.
{black}:idontknow:
That is my answer
Random distribution it is!
definitely not random
Not random. A random distribution.
If there were a pattern, we could say for example 1 rotor for every 4 sets of brake pads. But since it is “when there is reason to do so”, that implies a random distribution.
not a random distribution either.
I guess we beg to differ!
I thought you were asking
Beg to differ on what constitutes a random distribution versus one with a pattern.
Nope it's fact. The textbook definition of random distribution does not apply. It's not a matter of opinion.
Nobody replaces rotors zero days after purchasing a new vehicle.
So then there is some sort of distribution? You can’t have it both ways.
Just replace them when necessary. It's not rocket surgery.
Absolutely. But my question isn’t about when to replaced them, but a post hoc analysis of when they have been replaced. From past experience, how many brake pads have you gone through, before needing to replace rotors? You don’t have to answer the question specifically. Rather, just trying to distinguish the type of question I am asking.
To what end?
I think you're wasting your time. There are so many variables, like vehicle weight, payload, rotor diameter and thickness, metal alloy, brake pad material, driving conditions, braking behavior, and on and one and on. To get any kind of meaningful data you will need a huge sample size, and then spend a few years writing a thesis paper.
To what end? For me, to the good people that respond to this post. So far, it seems 5+ seems to be too small from my initial guess. A few seem to change it every time they change brakes. This is meaningful enough for me.
really... so how will it affect your maintenance practices?
TBH, it really doesn’t matter.
I rest my case
TBH, I don’t even think you had a case in the first place.
neither did you
It’s really a simple question I was asking:
What is the ratio you change out brake rotors and brake pads?
There is no case to be made. Either you answer the question with a ratio, or you don’t. You chose the latter.
I answered your question. There is no meaningful ratio. That's not how they're changed. And that's the correct answer. You're welcome to disagree.
If you are sticking to that answer, you don’t get the question.
There's nothing to get. It's moot.
Exactly!!! Like aside above, it doesn’t matter. Glad we can agree on something.
It really depends on the vehicle and driving habits IMO. There is no perfect ratio to what and how you do it. Also personal preference vs money as well. For example my uncle who has a AMG Benz and drives like a maniac has to change his brakes and rotors every time due to warpage from driving like a maniac. I occasionally take my e30 up the moutainpass for fun and have never touched the rotors since I first got it 3 years ago now. Since the car was so tiny and I essentially wasn't driving all that harshly I still have yet to change my rotors although his time around in going to since I would like to drive the car more often.
Thanks for describing these scenarios.
If it's an older vehicle, I get the rotors measured and turned, if possible. If it's a newer vehicle, I replace them.
How old would you say is old? 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
For some very old cars equipped with disc brakes (50+ years) rotors can be expensive and difficult to find. So those I'll have turned if still in spec. For workaday vehicles rotors are inexpensive and I just replace them.
I usually get 5+ before it's time. The last time I had to actually change a rotor out of necessity was when the driver front steelie snapped at the lugs & the car went sliding on the rotor/shock mount.
I had a number of wheels snap on that car & could never figure out why.
Usually, the lugs snap and the rotors warp because the wheel lug nuts were not tightened in the proper sequence and to the proper torque. They are usually over-torqued.
The first time it flew off & bounced down the road annihilating a wishing well, it could've very well been over-torqued.
My dad didn't even own a torque wrench so after that I bought one (I was about 17 at the time, my first car) did all the work & it just kept happening.
One time I felt a wobble in a parking lot as I was turning around, the rim was peeling like a tuna lid! Luckily I caught it but I believe I retired it for my 78 Nova the next day.
The funniest was when one snapped off & I used the original polyglas spare. Being from 1977 & this was 1998, it sat for a while to say the least.
Well I get it on & down the road I go, the carcass FLYS off, slapping me in the face😄 Of course I ran out to save it or no one would believe what happened.
Then the entire trip home everytime I stopped, it was a long skid leaving a white mark on the pavement from the belting.
Problem with that is, oreilys isn't accurate at turning rotors. Rotors are often out of round as they age too.
Hasn't this been asked a bunch of times before?
It seems to be cheaper to turn the rotors.
not by much
Thanks for the info.
I did a quick search on the site but nothing was found. I think the search on this site might be broken, at least in the mobile site.
I can't find anyone locally that will turn rotors. Apparently it's cheaper to replace them.
Best to replace.
What is the ratio you change out brake rotors and brake pads?