Should i replace my rotors

A plunger in the master cylinder forces brake fluid out of the reservoir. Through rigid brake lines, the fluid flows to the wheels. Flexible brake lines then carry the fluid into calipers. The fluid pressure pushes out the brake pistons in the calipers. The pistons press on the backing plate of the brake pads.

The brake rotors and pads start rubbing against each other, with the pad linings squeezing the surface of the rotors from the outside and inside. The friction causes the vehicle to decelerate or come to a standstill. As a large amount of heat is generated, the brake rotors and pads heat up to a high temperature. When Should They Be Replaced? Cause: Pad Deposits.

Brake pad material can collect on the face of the rotor and create high spots. Typically, this is the result of an overheated - or underheated - brake system. These deposits typically show themselves more in pedal feedback, as the caliper piston is pushed in and out of the caliper. Choosing the right brake pad compound formulation for your vehicle application can help prevent pad deposits.

That said, repeating the bed-in process can often remove the deposits; if not, turning or replacing the rotors may be necessary. The brakes produce very loud noises when braking. Cause: Corrosion, or worn out components. Heavily corroded brake components can affect the tight tolerances between them, creating dragging or grinding effects.

Many brake pads are offered with a "mechanical wear sensor," which is a metal clip designed to rub against the rotor when the brake pad thickness becomes too low and create audible noise to alert the driver that their brakes need to be replaced. Though these systems are aimed at bringing attention to worn brake pads, they are also a useful reminder to check your rotors, too!

The brake rotor has developed surface cracks. Cause: Excessive heat. It's important to understand that there are two types of rotor "cracks," both of which relate to the expansion and compression of the rotor as it cools and heats, but that represent different issues. As your rotors wear and get thinner, they also lose mass - mass needed to absorb and dissipate heat.

The strength of the rotor is also affected when it gets too thin and it could fail. Rotors get too thin, not only because they are thinner to begin with, but due to other factors. Same goes if you brake aggressively with frequent sudden stops. Not only that, but the type of brake pads you use, whether organic, ceramic or semi-metallic , also makes a difference on rotor wear and thickness. So, a technician should measure the thickness of your rotors every time your car has brake service or whenever the brake system is inspected.

Uneven Wear Besides wearing thinner, your brake rotors can also wear unevenly. You might be able to sense when one does. Actually, a brake rotor does not warp, but it does develop areas of uneven wear that make it feel like it is warped. In addition to measuring for minimum thickness, a technician will check for runout, a measurement of how true the rotor spins. Uneven wear and excessive runout can be caused by poor manufacturing or quality control, overtightening or uneven tightening of the lug nuts, and dirt or rust between the rotor and the wheel hub.

Uneven wear can also be produced from hard spots in a rotor casting that wear differently than the surrounding metal. Also, if your brake system is not working properly, your rotors can wear unevenly. For example, if the guide pins in a brake caliper are stuck and prevent equal pressure from being applied to both sides of a rotor, the rotor and the pads can wear unevenly.

Corrosion Brake rotors need to be serviced because of environmental issues as well. Corrosion - rust - can destroy your rotors. It will weaken a rotor over time. It will eat away your brake pads in short order. It decreases your ability to stop. And rust will develop without you doing a thing, when your car is parked for a long period of time. Therefore, it is important to keep maintaining your car even when it is sitting still.

If you live on a dirt road especially one that is treated with calcium chloride or you live in an area of the country where salt on the roads is common in the snow or near the ocean, or both , the likelihood of corrosion developing on and eating up your rotors is higher.

Heat While heat is essential to the braking process, excessive heat will cause your rotors to wear faster and unevenly. And if you rotors are unable to deal with excessive amounts of heat, they will transfer it to other brake system components.

Excessive heat can even cause the brake fluid to boil and add unwanted vapor to the system, causing your brakes to become less effective. When you brake, friction builds up between the brake pads and rotors. The heat is absorbed by the rotor and dissipated by slotted vents, or cooling fins, between the faces of the disc. Some rotors have holes in them to vent the heat, whereas others have no vents at all.

Excessive heat can be caused by your driving style. If you ride your brakes or brake aggressively, not only will you wear your rotors faster, but you will also cause them to overheat. Pulling a trailer or hauling a heavy load is also harder on your brakes and causes more heat to develop, as does driving in stop-and-go traffic or through hill country. Overheating leads to hot spots and glazing, the former causing your pedal to pulsate, the latter making it difficult to stop quickly.

When it comes to maintenance, it might seem a little off that your mechanic recommends that both the brake pads and the brake rotors need to be replaced. But, is this normal? Brake rotors affect the way that your brake pads perform and wear over time. Some vehicle owners that have only replaced the brake pads and had kept the existing rotors experienced uneven wear on their brake pads afterwards, causing the need to replace the pads and rotors prematurely.

This does mean, as well, that the brake rotors will have to be replaced in the future and likely before the brake pads need to be replaced. This means more time in the shop, so it can sometimes be more economical and efficient to replace all parts at the same time to avoid extra costs and time away from your daily routine.

The best advice is the advice that you get from an experienced car mechanic that you trust. The functions behind both the brake pedal and the gas pedal get used every moment that you are driving, which means that your brakes need to be serviced on a regular basis.

Since the entire performance of the brake system is based on pressure and friction, this severe and regular amount of wear leads to the need to routinely replace it.

Depending on your driving habits and the kind of driving that you do city versus highway , your brake pads typically should be replaced after about 50, miles, even earlier such as after 25, miles. Maximize the longevity and performance of your German or European vehicle by getting it routinely serviced by an experienced European car mechanic at AutoScope.

Schedule your appointment at AutoScope today for unmatched auto service!