turn new rotors?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
turn new rotors?
if i install new rotors on the rear of my C3 is it necessary to have them "turned" prior to installation? Is there any preparation at all necessary? I'm installing new pads too. thanks for the info.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
I think you can install right out of the box, new rotors & pads. Just clean of the rotor of any dust & when & who did the fronts?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: Florissant MO
Just wipe them off with some brake cleaner and you are on your way.
Some people like to hit them with a little 320 grit sandpaper, but I don't think that's necessary. Never done it to any brake jobs I've done.
Just be careful for a while until the pads get broken into to rotor.
Some people like to hit them with a little 320 grit sandpaper, but I don't think that's necessary. Never done it to any brake jobs I've done.
Just be careful for a while until the pads get broken into to rotor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
You should be able to put 'em on and be good to go with a new set of pads. It doesn't hurt to spray them with some brake cleaner at first either to make sure there's no oil or grease on them.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
It's one way of correcting runout. It's easier to shim the rotor to get it right, though.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Buy good quality rotors and you shouldn't have to do anything to them. Don't forget, if you turn brand new rotors, you're also reducing their lifespan because that's one less time you will be able to have them turned.
Just wipe 'em off and make sure no grease or oil gets on them. Same with the pads and you'll be fine.
Just wipe 'em off and make sure no grease or oil gets on them. Same with the pads and you'll be fine.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
Buy good quality rotors and you shouldn't have to do anything to them. Don't forget, if you turn brand new rotors, you're also reducing their lifespan because that's one less time you will be able to have them turned.
Just wipe 'em off and make sure no grease or oil gets on them. Same with the pads and you'll be fine.
Just wipe 'em off and make sure no grease or oil gets on them. Same with the pads and you'll be fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
I would "scuff" them with an mild abrasive wheel/scotchbrite pad on an angle grinder then clean with brake cleaner.
Even when rotors are turned, they are still scuffed prior to use so that the new pads seat in properly.
Even when rotors are turned, they are still scuffed prior to use so that the new pads seat in properly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
Packed in the box of AC Delco pads I recently purchased was a note stating'
"Clean rotors with water based cleaner only, do not use brake cleaner products"
Thoughts?
"Clean rotors with water based cleaner only, do not use brake cleaner products"
Thoughts?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
I have always scrubbed with soap and water after turning the rotors.This will remove the tiny micro chips left in the turning grooves that brake cleaner doesnt remove.Once these little metal particles get into the pad surface they just seem to stay there being pressed into the surface as the pad material wears causing brake squeal.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Collinsville MS
St. Jude Donor '08
I have always scrubbed with soap and water after turning the rotors.This will remove the tiny micro chips left in the turning grooves that brake cleaner doesnt remove.Once these little metal particles get into the pad surface they just seem to stay there being pressed into the surface as the pad material wears causing brake squeal.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 4
From: Upland Ca
I always cinch them down with a few lug nuts and check the runout. To much and I take them back. A few thou off and I try to shim or may have them cut a little. Over the years the runout has increased to a point where I would not put a rotor on out of the box without checking first.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
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From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
They can be installed right out of thge box. You will need to check runout. If runout is beyond specs try removing the rotor and rotate it 1 set of lugs, bolt it back up and check it again. Continue this untill you are within specs. Turning the rotor will not correct a runout problem. If you can't get it within specs using the above method you will have to shim it between the rotor and hub flange to correct runout. The new high quality spindles are parallel ground 90 degrees to the centerline to help eliminate this issue but your original GM spindles were riveted to the rotor and turned as a unit to minimize runout. Factory tolerances then were not the best.
