Brake rotors - how much are you paying to machine them?

[BobandWeave]

I've been quoted $35 USD to have each of my front brake rotors machined (turned). I detect a minor vibration under braking.

Total $70 + taxes. I haven't had someone turn my rotors in a long time because I've been replacing the rotors every time for my own cars.

This time, it's for my Dad's Lexus and it's the OEM rotors which have been good for 13 years (low mileage every year). I'm thinking that if I machine them, I'd get another 7 years. New OEM rotors would be expensive and new cheap ones would likely not last 7 more years until they warp.

It's just that I didn't remember machining rotors to have been so expensive, especially since there's not much work involved (I'm bringing the rotors to the shop as opposed to them having to put the car on a lift, remove the wheels, take off the calipers, and put them all back).

What have you all been paying? How did you find a good price?

 

[edyvw]

Nothing! I buy new. Not worth it by any means to machine them.

 

[WylieCoyote]

I think everyone around me stopped doing it, or the businesses that did it closed. Rarely hear anybody doing this anymore. I guess it used to be a lot cheaper than new rotors, but I guess that's not the case anymore.

 

[KrisZ]

Never saw the benefit of machining rotors. There is usually not much material to machine off in the first place and you end up with thinner rotors at the end. May as well get cheap aftermarket units.

 

[ctechbob]

If I'm not having any vibration problems it is pad slap and go. If there is a problem, I just replace the rotors. There's no one around here I would trust to do a good job and with the exception of the Ranger, all the factory rotors are long gone, so skimming an aftermarket rotor makes little sense for me.

 

[bullwinkle]

Most GM ones are so close to the minimum thickness when new, it's better to just replace them. Guess which vehicles have the worst warped rotors (& rust out the fastest, etc.)?

 

[dubber09]

Last time and only time I had it done was some 20 years ago paying C$10 per rotor turned. Not worth paying US$35 a rotor, you can buy new ones for not much more.

 

[wwillson]

My friend Bill has two very nice brake lathes that got a lot of use in the past. They are both buried under stuff in the corner of his shop, because they don't bother turning rotors anymore. Buying new is cheaper than turning the old rotors.

 

[SumGuy]

I had these drums turned just last week, at a Carquest machine shop here in London:

Turning was $40 each, I had them shot-blasted for another $10. That's CAD. For my '67 Monaco, rear drums. They're for 2" shoes, can't get them new any more (can get 2.5" but not 2). I would have bought new if I could. And yea, no garages do this any more.

 

[paulo57509]

I ran into drums being NLA when I still had my '63 Bonneville (5-lugs). I was running oversized front drums forever. The car stopped OK but if I was on the brakes for an extended length of time, the brakes would fade, then come back. They worked better when toasty.

I still see Pontiacs with 8-lugs; I'm thinking someone either has a stash of NOS drums or they're making repros.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Not worth it. Just get new rotors. Coated rotors are awesome

 

[Chris142]

$10 ea

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

BMW dealership do it if the rotor retains the minimum thickness. Their machine allows for the rotor to remain mounted to the axle.

 

[RDY4WAR]

I pay nothing because my wife is the manager at our local O'Reillys.

 

[BHopkins]

A few years ago I was quoted $35/rotor for turning them. I made the decision then that it wasn't worth it to turn rotors any more, and have just bought new rotors when needed.

 

[cmarshall78]

I haven't machined rotors in years, just replace them.

 

[Hall]

Total $70 + taxes.

I'm thinking that if I machine them, I'd get another 7 years.

You'll never get 7 years out of aftermarket rotors that will cost you $70. Have them machined. I think this would only apply to OEM rotors though and Toyota seems to be well-known for having sufficiently thick enough rotors that makes this practical.

 

[c502cid]

It helps to have a buddy with a brake lathe but I must be the only one who turns new aftermarket rotors. Best case they all need a skim, worse case the real cheap ones are scrap from the get go. I've only seen a couple that were perfect out of the box.

 

[fsdork]

I don't know how someone would turn a worthwhile profit doing it for any less. As others have said, the math just isn't there when replacement parts are readily available.

I recall my shop teacher in highschool saying: "This is a spark plug cleaning machine. You'll never see me use it, because based on my hourly rate, it's cheaper to use new plugs than to pay me to clean them." He was a retired heavy-duty mechanic, so I assume he was talking about his shop rate as opposed to his salary as a teacher. In any case, it was a good lesson in economics.

 

[TheLastWord]

I ran into drums being NLA when I still had my '63 Bonneville (5-lugs). I was running oversized front drums forever. The car stopped OK but if I was on the brakes for an extended length of time, the brakes would fade, then come back. They worked better when toasty.

I still see Pontiacs with 8-lugs; I'm thinking someone either has a stash of NOS drums or they're making repros.

For those who are curious:

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Pontiac’s 8-lug wheels of of 1960-68 were both beautiful and functional. And naturally, there’s an interesting story behind them. It’s a small world, it seems. Pontiac’s beautiful and functional 8-lug wheels were designed by Clayton Leach, the same … Continue reading →

www.macsmotorcitygarage.com

Finned Aluminum Centers: Kelsey-Hayes Pontiac Eight-Lug Wheels

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BOP Engineering Pontiac Full Size Parts

www.bopengineering.com

Doubtful any one has a stash of NOS. Repros are available. 3 types all $$$$

Original were all 14" only

I had a set on my 65 Bonneville wagon, near mint, loaded with nearly every option, 376 H.O., 421, 3x2 bbl, etc.