Topic: getting brake discs turned (car)

[JBMorse]

I am wondering if anyone gets their rotors turned rather than replacing, and what they paid for the service.  My local parts plus store told me they charge $19 per rotor.  Thats a lot cheaper than some of the new ones, which run $30-70 each depending on brand.  My father told me that $19 seems high, but I've never had it done, so I don't know.

[masonryman]

Once upon a time they used to turn your rotors or drums free when you bought new shoes or pads, then it was $2, now it's hard to get them done with all the quickie fast auto part stores

[Inigo Montoya]

It depends on the thickness of the rotor. Once it gets too thin, then it has to be replaced. If the rotor is warped, turning them may not take it all out. 19 does seem a little high.

[bucky katt]

new oem rotors cost 19.99 for my car, i buy new every 50k or so.

[Patrick]

New aftermarket rotors for my three-quarter ton diesel pickup go for a shade over $20. Turning is $15 per rotor and you have to wait an hour or two. Seemed like no brainer when I did my brakes a couple months ago. It's hardly worth turning them anymore.

Patrick

[333]

I had a bad experience from turning.  They left a lip unturned on each side of each disc at the very edge.  It caught the top of the pad and made a nasty noise whenever the brakes were not applied.  I found them cheap online ( www.rockauto.com), and will never turn another disc again.

Besides, I always thought that the finish after turning was rough for pads.  And since 1998, when they took asbestos out of brake shoes and pads, they wear quick enough as it is.  I used to get 60 or 70k out of a set of pads.  I'm lucky to get half that now.

[kirkn]

It's been probably 10 years since I had a set turned, and it was $10 each then.  Worked just fine.

Now, new disks for the minivans my wife drives and my truck are in the $20-25 each, so that's what I've done on the twice I've had to...

[Johnie]

In the 70's & 80's that is all we used to do was turn the rotors or drums. Now days it seems everyone just says to replace them. Seems a waste to toss these items if they have never been turned before.

[BobbyR]

They have essentially become disposable parts. Hardly woth the time and trouble. If you buy a new rotor it will be full thickness not minumum which will warp.

[333]

And, in most cases, it does get recycled.

[kenolds]

Last time I had any turned was probably 8 years ago and it cost $10 each.  I was having pulsing in the brake pedal while stopping.  Having the rotors turned fixed the problem, but only temporarily.  I then replaced them with a new set from one of the cheap auto parts stores.  They worked for a while, but the pulsing came back.  Then I invested in a good quality set of rotors (Brembo) and haven't had ANY issues since.  They stop better and don't tend to warp like the cheap ones.  I would highly recommend them.  (They were also still cheaper than rotors from the dealership)

Kenolds

[JBMorse]

hmm maybe I'll just spring for the new rotors.  Prices are all over the place but I've found some as cheap as $20 online, for some no name brand.  I just hate the idea of throwing away something if I can fix it instead. 

This past winter I was spending a couple of weeks on long island when my alternator died.  Here in NH there's a shop where you bring in your alternator and the guy rebuilds it for around $60.  No such thing on Long Island.  Every place I called, they thought I was crazy trying to get it rebuilt, they were all perfectly happy to sell me a new one. 
I hate the "throw it out and buy new" aspect of our culture.  I wish we could go back to the days where things were built to last!  I'd rather spend the money on something quality than buy something cheap and made to throw away.  Oh well, rant over!
thanks

[Inkscars]

Where I work, we turn the brakes with a brake job, unless it will put the rotors at or below minimum spec.
If it passes a NVH test, then that means that turning rotors is just as good as replacing them. On my own car I usually get one turn and then replace the second time i do them.
And from my experience, the cheap rotors at the auto parts store can often be cheap, mass produced, and even warped off the shelf.
If it's 19 to turn or 30 to buy, I'd prolly just buy them.

[BobbyR]

hmm maybe I'll just spring for the new rotors.  Prices are all over the place but I've found some as cheap as $20 online, for some no name brand.  I just hate the idea of throwing away something if I can fix it instead. 

This past winter I was spending a couple of weeks on long island when my alternator died.  Here in NH there's a shop where you bring in your alternator and the guy rebuilds it for around $60.  No such thing on Long Island.  Every place I called, they thought I was crazy trying to get it rebuilt, they were all perfectly happy to sell me a new one. 
I hate the "throw it out and buy new" aspect of our culture.  I wish we could go back to the days where things were built to last!  I'd rather spend the money on something quality than buy something cheap and made to throw away.  Oh well, rant over!
thanks

I feel the same way. We do have rebuild shops here. Iwill cost me more than Autozone, but the alternator will be better than new since they use better bearings.
A big part of the pulse is that the metal used on rotors is fairly poor quality. They develop hard spots from the heat, so you  have a slip and grab going on. When you cut them, you remove the hard spots, but they will come back.
I am old schol about fixing what can be fixed, but I have to live in the new World.

[Inigo Montoya]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/workshop/4332054.html

[74cb750]

Hmmm...seems many people here have been getting bad discs.
On my last 2 Honda Civics, I have driven over 200,000 miles each,
and
have never had to replace front discs, and only 1 pair of pads
on each car. Never truned the discs either.
I must be doing something right, ie,
told the boys to take it easy on these cars. 
peace,
michel

[BobbyR]

Hmmm...seems many people here have been getting bad discs.
On my last 2 Honda Civics, I have driven over 200,000 miles each,
and
have never had to replace front discs, and only 1 pair of pads
on each car. Never truned the discs either.
I must be doing something right, ie,
told the boys to take it easy on these cars. 
peace,
michel

Down here closer to the city we have so much traffic you are on the gas and on the brake 20 times a mile on a good day. Vermont is traffic heaven. Honor it. 

[74cb750]

"traffic Heaven?" are you kidding me?

Saturday I was behind 2 tractors racing around blind curves at speeds up to 20mph!
I guess we have our share of local idiots.
Very dangerous.