A friend of mine went to the local brake shop to get new front brakes. They told him they could not machine his rotors as they were one time use rotors? I have never heard of this before. I know they have to be a certian thickness, but under normal circumstances without any major grooves shouldn't you be able to have the rotors machined?

 

Yes, 99% of the time they can be, unless they measure not enough or are warped. They were obviously trying to b/s they're way into new rotors and a markup. Usually they'll give you options, obviously new is better but not always necessary. I like doing my own brakes for these reasons.

 

Ford does not list a machine to thickness, they really are non-servicable.

 

If there aren't any grooves and runout is within spec, there's no reason to machine them.

Most rotor MFRs recommend machining rotors ONLY in the presence of excessive runout.

 

The person machining should be able to determine if the thickness is enough or not based on specs given to them some place. They should have a rule or something to guage it. It really doesn't matter if you machine them or not as mentioned above (if in good shape) but for the cost and fact of starting fresh, I have and say why not. It often is the case where the rotors are brand new only a few more bucks anyways.

 

I just had mine turned on my 06 @ 40,000. On the back of the rotors they were stamped with a min. thickness. Sounds like they justr wanted the money.

 

I had my 06s turned two months ago or so, they were slightly warped..
Dealer did it free of charge, and im pretty sure you can machine any rotor down to a min thickness spec. His had to be well worn beyond machining or they thought he was gullable.

 

was it a 2wd truck? If so they are supposed to be turned at the dealer (on the truck) because the wheel bearings are in the rotor and they can't attach the rotors to a lathe. I just replaced the rotors it was easier. I you replace be sure to have the spindle nuts in your hand $50 from dealer and a 36mm deep socket $18 from auto parts store.

 

Depending on the rotor's condition, I will either machine it or chuck it in the garbage.

I tend to normally chuck the front ones... the rears are usually more salvagable.

 

on 04 and up 2wd, the bearing is in the rotor but it is not "serviceable". You can take it out after a snap ring but what of the crush sleeve.. you are not supposed to reuse the sleeve or nut. By the time you buy a sleeve /bearing and time to R&R you coulda put a whole rotor assy on. Still have to buy the nut though, personally I don't see why you can't reuse the nut, it is nylock, plus has a castle and cottor pin. The sleeve however would need replaced.

 

I really didn't want to buy 2 new ones for $25 each but my wife and kids drive in the truck. If something happened to them over $50 I would hate myself.