Im turning 103,000 miles here on my truck and was wanting to get some opinions on turning the rotors. I am a second owner and dont know if its ever been done before ? They are in good shape, no gouges ..but do have a slight edge on the outer lip, maybe 2/16 worth. Its time for pads, anything I should stay away from ?

 

Rotors arent too expensive for these trucks...
I bought some from Napa, 52/ea(fronts), backs are a little more.

Changed out the pads, and didnt need to swap rotors yet so ill hang onto them for next time, just did pads at 44k miles...

 

First - are they wavie (spell.?) at all? if they are and you are able (meaning they will still be within limits) to have them turned then I would. But if you aren't able to have them turnedn then I wouldn't worrie about it! pretty much personal prefrence.

Michael

 

there in good shape....just doing brakes as a maint issue. The pads look at lease 3/4 worn. They squeal here and there but hust cause of dust and dirt, dont pull or act warped.

 

You are this far in the job; I'd have 'em turned if it was me.

 

They don't usually wobble until you put on the new pads.

 

Do you have any pulsing in the brake pedal? If yes, turn them, if not I would not worry about them.

What I normally do is check the rotors for deep gouges and if there are no and the lip on the edge is not to extreme (1/16 is not extreme). I break the glaze on the rotor with either 200-grit emery/crocus cloth or a fine 3M pad in my die grinder. Check the calipers over for any evidence of leaking. Then I just put the new pads in if all is good. I have never had a problem and having been working on disc brakes since my brother had a 67 Triumph. If I get a pulsing when I take it for a test drive I pull the rotors and have them turned.

 

I always turn the rotors if I do the pads, same as I always turn the drums when I change the shoes (of my old truck of course).

I know a guy who changed 1 coil spring in his GM car, to me things like that just aint right!

 

Since you have that lip on the rotor I would turn them. Yes, they can warp after replacing the pads due to breakin heat. Don't forget to clean the slides, rails, and relube with Silicone grease. If you have factory shims on the pads make sure you also use them on the new pads unless they come with them. You can also use some Silicone grease on the backing plate of the pad. Keep the pad to rotor surface clean from all the grease. When you get done with the brake job take the truck out and drive it easy allowing plenty of room for stopping. You will be able to tell when the pads are O.K. to drive normal by the improving stopping distance.

 

Unless the rotors are severely grooved or warped (pulsating peddle), I always just replace pads. Rotors can warp during break in regardless if the rotors have been turned or not. Just break the pads in properly.... The thinner the rotors get.... the more susceptible to warping they become.

 

I buy a new set of rotors for each of my vehicles when it's due for a brake job, and send the old ones out to be turned for the next time.

 

good info.....

 

I say turn them...I always turn mine nothing worse then warped rotors on a big truck

 

This is also what I like to do.

But for others that dont want to do this I would say turn them you dont have to get much taken off just the lip and slightly more on the surface. As someone above said if your this far in why not do it all?

On my Honda rotors are so darn cheap that when its time to do brakes I buy all new rotors and pads everytime I change them

 

If rotor looks good I also break the glaze,lube everthing up and install new pads.A lot of TSB's and info from the manufactures over the last decade stating same thing.