Resurfacing, machining rotors.. do we still do this?

[wannarally89]

I am looking to do new pads and rotors on my 17 wrx, has 60k miles on what seem to be the OE brakes. But given the cost of steel these days, crossed my mind to maybe machine the existing rotors and just order new pads. But maybe it’s not worth the hassle…

So is still a practice to put rotors on a lathe, or should I just order some Centrics (not paying dealership prices for parts haha)? I will be using EBC red stuff pads, for what it’s worth.

Thanks in advance,

Tom

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[xtremewlr]

Still gets done. I recently changed pads on my 06 that has drilled and slotted rotors from the PO. Decided not to machine the rotors as they didn't look too bad and I didn't want to make them thinner with a resurface and chance getting cracks in the rotors. I plan on doing a complete brake refurbish at some point, with new lines, rebuilding the calipers, new rotors and probably master cylinder or at least replacing the reservoir, so I took the less expensive route of just pads. Brakes work great after a bleed with fresh fluid.

[snow_bound26]

If you have more expensive rotors it's worth it. If you have cheap rotors it's not.

[benflynn]

It’s nice to take the pad material off the rotor despite its likely good condition

[xtremewlr]

Originally Posted by benflynn

It’s nice to take the pad material off the rotor despite its likely good condition

Not necessary if you are using the same pads. If the rotors had wobbles, indicating high points from pad deposits, or you are going with a different pad material, then yes. Otherwise, you could scuff them up sufficiently with a scrotchbrite pad and be good to go.

[Norm Peterson]

These days there isn't as much margin left between brand-new rotor thickness and the safe minimum machine to and discard thicknesses.

Important note - cars with the Eyesight option take different rear pads and rotors from the non-Eyesight models. The Eyesight gets slightly larger rear rotors, presumably for durability reasons due to Eyesight's greater involvement with the brake system. Front pads and rotors are the same for ES and non-ES models


I'm starting to look at doing the brakes on my 2019 even though there's only a little over 20,000 miles on it so far. My/our main reason - the wife is fully on board with my reasoning having noticed the same uncertain bite being delivered by the OE pads under moderate to hard braking. With that in mind I'm probably looking at Centrics for rotors, and Carbotech 1521/Bobcat pads.


On edit, Centric fronts not in stock at Tire Rack. Went to DBA 4000 T3 instead. Money is not an objection when it comes to having confidence in your car's braking (and the DBAs being in stock now sealed the deal).


Norm

[Jedi03]

just had customer with cheap rotors request it due to rotor cost doubling over the last year via autozone, i also have DBAs and love em!

[SwollRX]

Originally Posted by snow_bound26

If you have more expensive rotors it's worth it. If you have cheap rotors it's not.

I agree. Few year ago, Tried getting some centric premiums resurfaced after a rough day on the track (carbotechs of all things cut a little into the rotors). I wanted to switch to another set of pads without needing to buy new rotors, so i got them resurfaced... Results didnt turn out well, next track outing with some hawk dtc pads and it was a vibration nightmare at certain braking speeds and modulation; ruined my tracking day (it is what it is though).

Scrapped that set of centric rotors for a few pennies and bought a new set of KNS rotors. Those worked very well, with nice even wear!

[snow_bound26]

Originally Posted by SwollRX

I agree. Few year ago, Tried getting some centric premiums resurfaced after a rough day on the track (carbotechs of all things cut a little into the rotors). I wanted to switch to another set of pads without needing to buy new rotors, so i got them resurfaced... Results didnt turn out well, next track outing with some hawk dtc pads and it was a vibration nightmare at certain braking speeds and modulation; ruined my tracking day (it is what it is though).

Scrapped that set of centric rotors for a few pennies and bought a new set of KNS rotors. Those worked very well, with nice even wear!

I have turned a set of KNS rotors with success. The pads I was using at the time sucked balls and created big spots quickly unfortunately. Meds to get them turned one last time to use with the new pads. But anything made by centric seems to be a one use rotor. Just not the same quality they use to be.