Brake / Rotor Question?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
Brake / Rotor Question?
Ok, so I'm replacing my pads this weekend with ceramic, do I need to take my rotors somewhere and have them turned (machined)?
z51 08 if you need to know, never track it, looking for less dust.
thx
z51 08 if you need to know, never track it, looking for less dust.
thx
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 148
From: 1000 Islands Ontario
Unless you have scored the rotors with excessively worn pads (worn right down to the backing plates), you do not have to change them.
Do a visual on the inner and outer surfaces of the rotors.
Spin the rotors by hand and see if they are warped or wobble.
If they pass the above tests, put your new pads in and you are good to go.
M...
Do a visual on the inner and outer surfaces of the rotors.
Spin the rotors by hand and see if they are warped or wobble.
If they pass the above tests, put your new pads in and you are good to go.
M...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 20
From: Twisp WA
I would also suggest you toss your micrometer on each rotor to see how much life each has left prior to re-using your existing rotors with new pads. Better safe then sorry. Since it's possible before the new pads are shot the rotors could wear too thin, depending on how many miles are on the original rotors.
George
George
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 50,281
Likes: 518
From: Cleveland OH
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
I would also suggest you toss your micrometer on each rotor to see how much life each has left prior to re-using your existing rotors with new pads. Better safe then sorry. Since it's possible before the new pads are shot the rotors could wear too thin, depending on how many miles are on the original rotors.
George
George
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 2
From: Woodland Hills Utah
Unless you have scored the rotors with excessively worn pads (worn right down to the backing plates), you do not have to change them.
Do a visual on the inner and outer surfaces of the rotors.
Spin the rotors by hand and see if they are warped or wobble.
If they pass the above tests, put your new pads in and you are good to go.
M...
Do a visual on the inner and outer surfaces of the rotors.
Spin the rotors by hand and see if they are warped or wobble.
If they pass the above tests, put your new pads in and you are good to go.
M...
Don't forget to apply anti squeal lubricant to the back of the pads so they don't squeak. 
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 242
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
In the past I would have agreed with all who suggest you do not need to turn your rotors if the are within specifications and you do not have any pedal pulsation. Heck I never turned my rotors mostly because I was lazy. But today's vehicles are different. Your Z51 comes factory with semi metallic pads and you are changing to ceramics. Those factory pads have transferred some brake pad material on to your rotors and that needs to be removed. This requires a very light turn and also puts a very smooth finish to your rotor. If should have a non directional finish when done, no grooves that makes it look like a record. Last they should be cleaned with soap and water and dried with paper towels not shop rags. What this will give you is the best possible start for your new pads to bed into the rotors which will give you the best chance for no noise.
What happens if you don't do this? There is a very likely chance that it will take much longer for the new pads to bed. This could mean a softer pedal for whatever time it takes for this to happen. It also means that noise could be a very real possibility.
What happens if you don't do this? There is a very likely chance that it will take much longer for the new pads to bed. This could mean a softer pedal for whatever time it takes for this to happen. It also means that noise could be a very real possibility.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 4
From: Columbia Maryland
In the past I would have agreed with all who suggest you do not need to turn your rotors if the are within specifications and you do not have any pedal pulsation. Heck I never turned my rotors mostly because I was lazy. But today's vehicles are different. Your Z51 comes factory with semi metallic pads and you are changing to ceramics. Those factory pads have transferred some brake pad material on to your rotors and that needs to be removed. This requires a very light turn and also puts a very smooth finish to your rotor. If should have a non directional finish when done, no grooves that makes it look like a record. Last they should be cleaned with soap and water and dried with paper towels not shop rags. What this will give you is the best possible start for your new pads to bed into the rotors which will give you the best chance for no noise.
What happens if you don't do this? There is a very likely chance that it will take much longer for the new pads to bed. This could mean a softer pedal for whatever time it takes for this to happen. It also means that noise could be a very real possibility.
What happens if you don't do this? There is a very likely chance that it will take much longer for the new pads to bed. This could mean a softer pedal for whatever time it takes for this to happen. It also means that noise could be a very real possibility.
You should always clean rotors (either new or those that have been turned) with brake cleaner, not soap and water. Soap just isn't a good enough degreaser to ensure that all the oil and/or grease is completely removed.
Last edited by Thrill6; Oct 26, 2010 at 09:28 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 242
Likes: 2
From: San Diego
There is always a "transferring" of brake material to any rotor. There is a thread today regarding a Z06 concerning warped rotors. One reply states that rotors don't warp but it is the uneven transferring of brake material that cause the pedal pulsation. This is a true statement. A light cut of the rotors removes this brake material. I suggest using soap and water because you are removing the metal shavings from the cut not any grease or oil. Today's brake cleaners has been so watered down do to environmental issues that you need to use lots of it which can it get expensive.
