Turning (Machining) Rotors

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Old Jan 8, 2011 | 04:58 AM
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Turning (Machining) Rotors

I am about to replace the front brakes on my truck. I plan on taking the rotors to be turned but I was wondering if one rotor happens to be warped and must be replaced would it be ok to run a new rotor on one wheel and a turned rotor on the other?
 
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Old Jan 8, 2011 | 05:06 AM
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IIRR, as long as the rotors remain within spec (minimum thicknesses), yes. But IMHO, I always want my front rotors (especially) to be within .003 of each other- because as rotors heat faster that also increases the braking which can cause some uneveness- but I also run slightly higher friction linings which are more sensitive to this
 
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Old Jan 8, 2011 | 05:13 AM
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Originally Posted by beechkid
IIRR, as long as the rotors remain within spec (minimum thicknesses), yes. But IMHO, I always want my front rotors (especially) to be within .003 of each other- because as rotors heat faster that also increases the braking which can cause some uneveness- but I also run slightly higher friction linings which are more sensitive to this
Thanks for the quick response! I may just get two new ones if my current ones cannot be turned. They're not very expensive. Just thought I'd ask out of curiousity.
 
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Old Jan 8, 2011 | 05:30 AM
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I see you are from the Tri cities area. If you have trouble finding some one to turn them take them to Mount Carmel auto parts and they will do it.
 
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Old Jan 8, 2011 | 09:07 AM
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I thought I've heard the steel they use in newer rotors are junk and they're really not worth machining? I might be wrong...
 
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Old Jan 8, 2011 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Ford4me2
I see you are from the Tri cities area. If you have trouble finding some one to turn them take them to Mount Carmel auto parts and they will do it.
Thanks! I'll might give them a try if I'm over that way. I usually take them to O'reilly's but I'm always open to trying new places.

Originally Posted by chris8001
I thought I've heard the steel they use in newer rotors are junk and they're really not worth machining? I might be wrong...
You could be right, I'm not sure myself. My front rotors could be original as the truck only has 69,000 miles on it. (may have already been turned once.)
 
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Old Jan 10, 2011 | 11:45 AM
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If 1 is warped chances are that the other is not going to be to far behind. I would think about just replacing them.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2011 | 12:28 PM
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I dont know what you have been quoted to have one or both turned, but my guess is you would be better off just buying two new ones.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2011 | 12:38 PM
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Heat in the rotor causes weak metal to warp. If you lathe off enough metal to true it back up, it seems logical that the remaining metal is just that much weaker and will most likely warp again, even sooner. I would replace them.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2011 | 02:08 PM
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I think I will just get two new rotors and have everything fresh up front. They are not real expensive anyway. Thanks for the help everyone!
 
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Old Jan 10, 2011 | 02:53 PM
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Good choice!
 
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Old Jan 10, 2011 | 08:22 PM
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Do you guys have a preference from which brands of rotors you like (such as ones from Autozone, Advance, etc) Autozone has the best price starting out on rotors at $33.99 each, but I'm wondering if they can hold up or if it would be better to get some Wagner rotors or something similar for about $20 more.
 

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Old Jan 11, 2011 | 10:19 AM
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I would recommend the Centric Premium rotors. Very durable and pretty affordable.

http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=BZ1&...9&autoModClar=
 
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