Do I need to resurface or replace my rotors? What to replace?

Like your car engine, brakes require maintenance. You will have to decide whether you want to replace your brake pads or to resurface them. Each option is suitable for some circumstances. We will evaluate the pros and cons of each.

This guide will explain what brake rotors actually are, and how they can be used to improve your driving experience. Also, we discuss when to consider resurfacing brake rotors instead of replacing them.

Is it possible to repair or replace brake rotors.

In most cases, it’s not recommended to resurface brake rotors and it’s better to replace them. Resurfacing the brake rotors will reduce their material, which can increase temperature. Resurfacing brake rotors is not recommended by most car manufacturers.

Resurfacing your brake rotors can save you money if the car is old or very cheap. You can read on to learn more about the pros and disadvantages of replacing the brakes rotors with resurfacing.

What is a Brake Rotors?

Your vehicle's disc brake system is dependent on the brake rotor. Metal is used to make the rotor. The rotor looks like a disc that connects the wheel and the hub. Rotors spin as the wheel revolves.

The brake pad gets pressed against the rotor. Brake caliper (a hydraulic clamping piece) squeezes the pads into place when you press the brake pedal. This causes friction to cause your car's stoppage.

Brake pads wears down with time. Regular replacement is therefore necessary. The brake rotors will also begin to wear over time. The rotors become thinner as the heat of braking causes them to wear. When performance is diminished, you have two options – either resurface the brake rotors or replace them. 

Pros & Cons of Resurfacing Brake Rotors

You can reuse brake rotors by resurfacing them. To give a new performance, a portion of the brake rotor's surface is removed. You might get more use out of your brake rotor with resurfacing. Resurfacing is an economical way to cut costs, especially when you consider the cost of replacing your brake rotor.

To have the brake rotors restored to their original condition, it is necessary to contact a professional mechanic. It’s unlikely that the average automotive enthusiast will have the appropriate tools in their garage to get the job done right.

Costs of Resurfacing Brake Rotors

Your brake rotors are typically resurfaced at a cost of $25 to $35 each. This might also be available if the shop has already performed a brake pad repair. 

You will have to take the brake pads out of your vehicle and return them to the shop. This causes some downtime that doesn’t make every at-home mechanic happy.

How often should brake rods be resurfaced?

Every time brake pads are replaced, the rotors need to be inspected. It is worth considering resurfacing them if they are in acceptable condition. To provide sufficient braking power, the rotor must have enough thickness. 

You must remember that some of the material may be removed.  However, if your brake rotor is thick enough and you don’t mind paying for the service, it’s a great way to get more life out of this vital part and it saves you money too. 

Pros & Cons of Replacing Brake Rotors

Your biggest advantage in replacing brake rotors by yourself is its simplicity. It is possible to swap the brake brake rotors if your preference is for home-based brake replacement. You won’t need any special tools or equipment to get new brake rotors installed. 

This is more expensive than just resurfacing. If you can’t do the job yourself, you are also looking at more costly repair bills to have the rotors replaced. 

Cost of replacing brake rotor

The average cost of replacing a brake rotor is $350-$500. New brake rotors can be as low as $200 to $400 and labor costs around $150. 

You can still do this job by yourself but it will cost you a lot more to replace the rotors. Additionally, the cost of replacing brake pads will be significant. 

What should be done to replace brake rotors?

Brake rotors of today are noticeably thinner than those from years ago. While manufacturers are trying to cut weight, this is forcing more frequent replacements. It becomes difficult to safely resurface them as they become thinner. Some manufacturers even recommend not surfacing their rotors. You are left with only one option: to replace them.

You can use your brake rotor in this case until it starts to wear. You shouldn’t need to replace them every time you get new brake pads, but they should be inspected carefully. Bad rotors can cause brake pads to wear quickly, so make sure you have another set.

If your rotor shows significant signs of wear and can’t be resurfaced because it is too thin, you must replace it. Additionally, it’s always best to replace the rotors in pairs, front and back. You can replace one side if it is not possible to do so.

Resurfacing brake rotors is not a good idea. We almost always recommend that modern cars have their brake rotors replaced. They are more vented than earlier models and contain thinner materials. Brake rotors are also becoming thinner.