Brake Rotor Dilemma

[The Critic]

All,

I'm faced with the following two options:

1) Resurface two front rotors for $30

2) Purchase two new Aimco-GS (Raybestos) rotors for $45.98 total.

I can purchase two new rotors for only a few bucks more than resurfacing my old OE rotors. However, I am rather concerned about the durability of these inexpensive, imported Chinese rotors. I've been accustomed to long lasting brake rotors: my '96 SL2 has 104k miles on the original brake rotors right now.

So, for a daily driver that is driven normally (not aggressively), should I purchase new inexpensive Chinese rotors or am I better off resurfacing my old OE rotors? I am looking for a rotor solution that will last at least 50k miles without warping under normal use.

Thanks.

 

[NYEngineer]

I swap my rotors every other year. I get them cheap enough, I'd rather have more material to heat sink. I've never had cut rotors last long.

 

[The Critic]

Quote:

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I've never had cut rotors last long.

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Odd. I cut my rotors at around 85k miles on the Saturn and they are still fine right now. Most people that I know whom have cut their OE rotors have not had a problem either.

 

[Tosh]

Option 3? What's wrong with the originals? You could get away with some light ridges or scoring, but resurfacing a warped rotor will probably result in the warp resurfacing in a year.

A bit depends on your overall attitude of repairing v replacing. I like repairing...

 

[doitmyself]

Have you measured the rotors first, to estimate how much life they have left in them after turning?

 

[NYEngineer]

I should have added my daily driver is a 98 Yukon. I've racked up 197,000 miles so far. I feel the brakes on that truck are really borderline. I go through a set of pads a year and most rotors I've cut warp pretty fast. When I use new ones, They last two years easy. On lighter vehicles, I have no problem cutting rotors once.

 

[Master ACiD]

go ahead and look for a cheaper place to have them cut. call up some other please and dont forget the machine shops, etc. $15 per rotor is getting up there in cost.

i know im not in ca, but i can get them done over here for 7.50 a piece.

when they cut a rotor its barely even touched. its not as if they are removing pounds of metal. its more like a few ounces.

 

[Dave Hess]

Take them to PepBoys to get cut, they always to a great job. Just Kidding.

For an extra $16 why not just buy new ones ??

 

[JustinH]

Take a look at rockauto.com 's offerings.

I picked up some raybestos rotors for my ion for 20 bucks each.

No brainer to replace the warped factory rotors.

 

[benjamming]

I too would go to a local machine shop that can do a much better job than somewhere like O'Reilly.

 

[The Critic]

Quote:

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You could get away with some light ridges or scoring

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Resurfacing a rotor ensures a successful brake job, especially if you are changing friction materials. I've learned that semi-metallic pads are not terribly friendly to residual material left on the rotor. Pads also bed-in a bit faster on clean rotors.

Quote:

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Quote:

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You could get away with some light ridges or scoring

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Resurfacing a rotor ensures a successful brake job, especially if you are changing friction materials. I've learned that semi-metallic pads are not terribly friendly to residual material left on the rotor. Pads also bed-in a bit faster on clean rotors.

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Brake shop wants $15/rotor. Pep Boys wants $9/rotor.

Quote:

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Take a look at rockauto.com 's offerings.

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I'm rather far from their warehouse, so heavy items such as rotors kill the deal due to shipping.

 

[freeze12]

"Napa" premium rotors have a lifetime replacement warranty. I just got
My first replacement a couple weeks ago.I believe that "Napa" is the only parts supplier offering this warranty...(at least in My neck of the woods)

 

[Auto-Union]

Buy the new ones. Chinese rotors are fine. There have been cases where poor QC has showed up, but generally not a problem. Check AZ for prices.

 

[Mokanic]

Quote:

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All,

I'm faced with the following two options:

1) Resurface two front rotors for $30

2) Purchase two new Aimco-GS (Raybestos) rotors for $45.98 total.

I can purchase two new rotors for only a few bucks more than resurfacing my old OE rotors. However, I am rather concerned about the durability of these inexpensive, imported Chinese rotors. I've been accustomed to long lasting brake rotors: my '96 SL2 has 104k miles on the original brake rotors right now.

So, for a daily driver that is driven normally (not aggressively), should I purchase new inexpensive Chinese rotors or am I better off resurfacing my old OE rotors? I am looking for a rotor solution that will last at least 50k miles without warping under normal use.

Thanks.

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IF the original rotors have been turned prviously;I would consider going for the new rotors. All car makers are different when it comes to being able to resurface their rotors. Some cars, such as a Camry have really meaty rotors and they can be turned two or three times before the minimum spec is reached.
The average consumer would be shocked at just how many rotors are made in China even when they think they are buying a USA made product. Being made in China isn't an automatic garantee the rotor is a POS. It is up to the name on the box to set the quality specs the rotor is to meet.
Some people will whine about paying $15 to have a rotor turned but they don't take into account the vast difference in a finished rotor done by a machinist or professional tech as compared to a goober using a POS rotor lathe. I paid 10Gs for a state-of-the-art lathe and use only the sharpest bits,vibration silencing accessories,and hubless mounting systems. It takes at least a 1/2 hr. to do both correctly after doing your measurements to be sure there is enough left on the rotors to machine off. $15bucks is not even a 1/2 hr labor for any pro with the best stuff. If you think $15 is too high for quality work like that you deserve to get screwed. The year is 2007.
Anyway Critic, I think it would be best to have them replaced if they have been turned before. If they haven't and they aren't right at min. thickness specs you could turn them with no problems. The problem is that if they are very close to min. thickness before you turn them they'll be below min. by the time it's done. Fortunately, your car's rotors can be had quite reasonably. PM me if you need anything else. Take care.

 

[GC4lunch]

Quote:

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I'm faced with the following two options:

1) Resurface two front rotors for $30

2) Purchase two new Aimco-GS (Raybestos) rotors for $45.98 total.

I can purchase two new rotors for only a few bucks more than resurfacing my old OE rotors.

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Faced with the same question a few months ago, I opted for new rotors, reasoning that the labor component of removing the old rotor and reinstalling the rotor is identical, whether the reinstalled rotor is new or the old one resurfaced.

Tip: there is a simple quality standard for rotors; it's called D3EA. (Do a Google search on D3EA.) The rotor manufacturer has to pay for D3EA certification, which is done by a single private firm in Michigan, so there may be some excellent rotors out there that are not D3EA certified because the maker is too cheap to pay the fee, but if you get a D3EA certified rotor you have peace of mind. Brakes are not a place to cut corners.

Raybestos PG Plus (made in USA) rotors are D3EA certified.

 

[Throckmorton]

It's been awhile since I last replaced the rotors on my car. But if I recall correctly even Brembo blanks are no longer made in Italy. I think they were made in China, but I might be wrong about that.